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Air Force SealQuality of Information Program Overview

Federal agencies subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapter 35) are required to:

-- Issue information quality guidelines for the information the agencies disseminate.

-- Establish administrative mechanisms allowing affected persons to seek and obtain correction of information disseminated by the agencies on or after October 1, 2002, that does not comply with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department of Defense (DoD) or agency guidelines.

-- Annually report the number and nature of complaints received by the agencies and how such complaints were resolved.

Background

OMB issued "Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies" in the Federal Register on February 22, 2002, Volume 67, Number 36, page 8452. Congress directed OMB to issue these guidelines in section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law 106-554). Subsequent requirements were published by U.S. Department of Defense memorandum, 10 February 2003, subject: Ensuring Quality of Information Disseminated to the Public by the Department of Defense (DoD). This Web page provides general guidance pertaining to submitting claims for correction of information maintained and disseminated to the public by the U.S. Department of Air Force. The Department of Air Force Quality of Information Program correction mechanisms are not intended to imply any rights of individuals to request amendment of their own records beyond those permitted by the Privacy Act of 1974 or other organization specific laws.

How to Submit Formal Quality of Information Claims

All claims for correction of Air Force information must be in writing and include as a minimum:

-- Requestor Contact Information. The requestor's name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number (if any), email address (if any), and organizational affiliation (if any).

-- Statement that the claim for correction of information is submitted under the Department of the Air Force's Quality of Information Program.

-- Detailed Description of Information to Correct. The name of the Air Force publication, report, or data product; the date of issuance or other identifying information such as the URL of the Web page; the originating agency; and a detailed description that clearly identifies the specific portion for which a correction is being sought. Requestors are encouraged to submit a copy of the disseminated information in question to preclude delays in processing.

-- Explanation of Noncompliance with Information Quality Guidelines. A detailed explanation describing how the information fails to meet DoD Information Quality Guidelines.

-- Explanation of the Effect of the Alleged Error. A detailed explanation describing how the alleged error harms or how a correction would benefit the requester.

-- Recommendation and Justification for how the Information Should Be Corrected. The requester should state specifically how the information should be corrected and explain why the corrections should be made. A request for correction that is specific and provides evidence to support the need for correction is likely to be more persuasive than a general request. Include supporting documentary evidence, such as comparable data or research results on the same topic, that will help in evaluating the merits of the request.

Submit claims via mail or e-mail to:

Department of the Air Force
U.S. Air Force Information Access Policy and Compliance Office

Quality of Information Program
1800 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1800
DAF.FOIA@us.af.mil

Response Times

The Department of the Air Force will respond to all claims for correction within 60 working days of receipt. If the claim requires more than 60 working days to resolve, the requestor will be notified in writing that more time is required, the reason why, and an estimated response date.

Disclaimer

The Department of the Air Force may reject claims made in bad faith, without justification, or unable to process due to omitted requested elements. Requestors bear the "burden of proof" with respect to the necessity for correction as well as with respect to the type of correction they seek. Air Force activities will base decisions on the merit of the information provided by the requestor.

Types of Information Not Subject to Quality of Information Program Guidelines

-- Distribution of information limited to government employees, component contractors or grantees.

-- Intra or inter-agency or other use of sharing of government information including responses to requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, or similar laws.

-- Distribution of correspondence with individuals or persons.

-- Information limited to subpoenas and adjudicative processes.

-- Information previously disseminated to the public subsequently presented to Congress as part of the legislative or oversight processes, including testimony of officials, and information or drafting assistance provided to Congress in connection with pending or proposed legislation.

-- Press releases and other information advising the public of an event or activity.

-- Procedural, operational, policy, and internal manuals prepared for the management and operations not primarily intended for public dissemination, including personnel notices such as vacancy announcements.

-- Information not otherwise disseminated to the public.

-- Applicability of quality of information guidelines may be waived for information disseminated under urgent situations, including imminent or credible threats to national defense and security.

Links of Interest

OMB guidance Subject: Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies

Public Liaison

If dissatisfied with the service received from the Requester Service Center, you may contact the Air Force FOIA Public Liaison Officer, Mr. Robert E. Bivins, for assistance at daf.foia@af.mil or (703) 614-8500.   
(Please do not send FOIA requests to this office.)