OGIS Publishes 2022 Compliance Self-Assessment

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-archives-archivesgif-naid12065-S0Ik9zGLLJMN3oDfzA Paper Records GIF by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 12065. The Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) is pleased to announce the publication of our latest report, “Assessing Freedom of Information Act Compliance through the National Archives and Records Administration’s 2022 Records Management Self-Assessment.” The 2022 Records Management Self-Assessment (RMSA), … Continue reading OGIS Publishes 2022 Compliance Self-Assessment

OGIS Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report Now Available

The Office of Government Information Services 2023 Report for Fiscal Year 2022 is now available on our website. Highlights include:  Handling over 4,500 requests for assistance — from both FOIA requesters and agencies. Providing a new virtual training program on negotiation for FOIA professionals. Leading and collaborating with the Chief FOIA Officers Council Technology Committee … Continue reading OGIS Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report Now Available

Ensuring Effective Portal Communication with Requesters: Even When They’re on Vacation!

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter fishing on August 26, 1978. National Archives Identifier 180949. OGIS has observed recently that agencies are increasingly using portals to send response letters and records to requesters. OGIS applauds this approach as portals are faster than U.S. postal mail and more secure than email. However, OGIS encourages agencies to consider … Continue reading Ensuring Effective Portal Communication with Requesters: Even When They’re on Vacation!

Chief FOIA Officers Council Meeting Recap

A new webpage cataloging Office of Government information Services (OGIS) recommendations and best practices, a model for analyzing FOIA programs and technology, and an update on an interactive search tool on FOIA.gov were among the matters discussed at the April 25, 2023, meeting of the Chief FOIA Officers Council.  Missed the meeting? Catch up by … Continue reading Chief FOIA Officers Council Meeting Recap

OGIS Launches New Quarterly Reporting

Beginning in fiscal year 2023, OGIS has launched a new reporting graphic that tracks quarterly data and activities. In the past we shared mediation statistics with regard to the number of cases we managed. And while that work continues — we respond to more than 4,000 inquiries a year — it is just as important … Continue reading OGIS Launches New Quarterly Reporting

Call for Nominations: Vacant Non-Government Seat on FOIA Advisory Committee

Colonel (COL) Simmons of the 7th Infantry Division uses field glasses to monitor progress during the joint US Army/Air Force Exercise CALFEX '86 (combined arms live fire exercise). National Archives Identifier 6426854. A resignation from the FOIA Advisory Committee has created a vacancy for which we seek nominations. We are looking for a non-government FOIA expert who has … Continue reading Call for Nominations: Vacant Non-Government Seat on FOIA Advisory Committee

Chief Data Officers Council Meets on Friday, February 10

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-space-nasa-apollo-11-kvl2YhR110qsBrHid2 The Time of Apollo by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 649447. The Chief Data Officers (CDO) Council meets publicly on Friday, February 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET to provide updates about its activities and the implementation of the Chief Data Officer role across the government. OGIS Director … Continue reading Chief Data Officers Council Meets on Friday, February 10

New Year, New Public Comments Form

Your Ideas Are Welcomed. War Production Board1942 – 1943. National Archives Identifier 534167 As we begin a new year and say “hello” to 2023, we have news to share: OGIS is excited to announce our new public comments form. This new tool allows the public to submit their comments to the FOIA Advisory Committee, the Chief FOIA … Continue reading New Year, New Public Comments Form

OGIS 2022 Holiday Wish List

Merry Christmas is the greeting from President Harry S. Truman as he sets forth from his home in Independence, Missouri, to deliver Christmas gifts to members of his family who live nearby, December 1945. Accession Number 2013-3621. In this season of giving and receiving, we thought we’d share our OGIS holiday wish list. We have only … Continue reading OGIS 2022 Holiday Wish List

OGIS Publishes Assessments on Agency FOIA Websites and FOIA in Agency Performance Plans

Building Survey, Photographs ca. 1930 – ca. 1949. National Archives Identifier 32200323 The Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) recently published two assessment reports examining Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) websites and FOIA’s inclusion in agency performance plans. The assessments fulfill recommendations from the 2018-2020 term of the FOIA Advisory Committee. Recommendation 2020-01 was for OGIS to "undertake … Continue reading OGIS Publishes Assessments on Agency FOIA Websites and FOIA in Agency Performance Plans