news are not considered commercial requesters.

(3) Category 3: Others. Requesters get the first 2 hours of search and the first 100 copies free. These requesters do not pay review charges.

(b) Analyze each request to categorize the requester. If you think the requester's category differs from what the requester claims, ask the individual for more justification and say you cannot begin searching for records until you have agreed on the category. If the requester does not send the FOIA manager more justification in reasonable time (normally, 30 calendar days), the manager makes a final decision and notifies the requester of the decision and of the right to appeal it.

(c) Tell requesters that you cannot begin to answer their requests until they state they will pay the costs set for their category.

§806.18 Fee assessment.

The FOIA limits charges to search, review, and duplication based on the requester's category.

(a) Estimate fees if the requester asks. Do not charge an amount more than the estimate or the amount the requester agrees to unless the quester first agrees to pay more.

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(b) Search time includes all time spent looking for records to respond to a request. Personnel must search efficiently to minimize both the Air Force's and the requester's costs. Search efforts must be thorough and include all locations and activities most likely to have the requested records. Searches may include retired or staged records. Time spent reviewing documents to decide whether statutory exemptions apply counts as review time, not search time. For computer searches, determine the first 2 free hours against the salary scale of the person operating the computer.

(1) FOLA managers may charge for search time for the appropriate category (and review time for commercial requesters only), if the requester agreed in advance to pay, even if:

(i) A search does not uncover the requested records.

(ii) The records found are entirely exempt from disclosure.

(2) When estimated search charges exceed $25, tell the requester the estimated fees, unless the requester has already indicated a willingness to pay fees as high as the estimate. When feasible, offer the requester the opportunity to restate the request so that the search costs less.

(c) Review is the process of examining documents to determine if one or more of the statutory exemptions allows withholding. It also includes the time it takes to excise information. Review does not include time spent resolving general legal or policy issues on exemptions. FOIA managers may only assess commercial requesters for initial review. This does not include reviews at the appeal stage for exemptions already applied, but it may include review to apply an exemption not previously cited.

(d) Requesters pay only for copies of the records they actually receive. Copies may be on paper, microfiche, audiovisual, or machine-readable magnetic tape or disk, among other media. FOLA managers must try hard to ensure copies are clear. If you cannot possibly provide a clear copy, tell the requester that the copy is the best available and that he or she can make an appointment to review the master copy. For copies of computer tapes and audiovisual material, charge the actual copying cost, including the operator's time.

(e) Before beginning or continuing work on a request, FOIA managers may require advance payment from requesters:

(1) Who have not paid fees on time (usually within 30 calendar days) in the past.

(2) Whose estimated fees are over $250, unless the requester always pays promptly. In that case, give the requester an estimate and ask the requester to ensure full payment.

(f) If the requester has always paid promptly, the FOIA manager sends the records and requests payment at the same time.

(g) If a requester has not paid on time in the past, FOIA managers may ask the requester to:

(1) Pay (or show proof of payment of) outstanding bills, plus interest, for past FOIA requests. Consult 31 U.S.C.

3717 for interest rates and coordinate with your accounting and finance office.

(2) Pay estimated fees in advance.

(h) If a requester has no payment history, or has not paid on time in the past, FOLA managers may ask the requester to pay after processing the request but before sending the records.

(i) When employees with different hourly rates search for information for an "Other" (Category 3) requester, waive the cost of the most expensive 2 hours of search. Requesters receive the first 2 hours search (Category 3 requesters only) and the first 100 pages of duplication (Categories 2 and 3) free only once per request. If you complete your work and refer the request to another FOI office for action, tell that FOI office how much time you spent searching and how many pages you copied for the requester.

§ 806.19 Aggregating requests.

A requester may make many requests at once, each seeking parts of a document or documents, just to avoid paying fees. When a requester or a group of requesters breaks a request into many requests to avoid paying, the FOIA manager may combine the requests and charge accordingly. Before combining requests, be sure you have solid evidence that the requesters are trying to avoid fees. Do not combine one requester's multiple requests on unrelated subjects. Contact SAF/ AAIQ before taking action.

§806.20 Fee waivers.

(a) Waive fees for requesters of all categories when:

(1) FOIA costs total $15 or less. (2) A record is created voluntarily to save the cost of supplying many records.

(3) A record previously withheld is released at small cost (e.g., $15 to $30).

(4) Releasing the information is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the DoD and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.

(b) A waiver in the public interest establishes the two basic requirements below. Both must be met before you waive or reduce fees. Use the following

six factors. Begin with the first four factors to determine "public interest" and then use the two remaining factors to decide if release "is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

(1) Requirement 1. Is releasing the information in the public interest business it will probably contribute significantly to public understanding of the government's operations or activities?

(i) Factor 1-Subject of the Request. Analyze whether the subject matter will significantly contribute to the public understanding of DoD operations or activities. Requests made for records in DoD's possession originated by nongovernment organizations for their intrinsic content rather than informative value will likely not contribute to public understanding of DoD operations or activities. Press clippings, magazine articles, or records expressing an opinion or concern from a member of the public regarding a DoD activity are such records. Releasing older records may be relevant to current DoD activities, so do not discount it under this factor simply because it is old. For example, a requester might want historical records to study how a certain current DoD policy evolved. Review these requests closely, comparing the requester's stated purpose for the records and the potential for public understanding of DoD operations and activities.

(ii) Factor 2—Informative Value. Closely analyze a record's substantive contents to determine whether disclosure is meaningful, and will inform the public on DoD operations or activities. While the subject of a request may contain information concerning DoD operations or activities it may not always help people understand these operations or activities. One example is a heavily edited record, containing only random words, fragmented sentences, or paragraph headings. Another example is information already in the public domain.

(iii) Factor 3-General Public Will Understand the Subject Better. Will the records' release inform, or have the potential to inform, the public or just the requester or a few interested persons? Knowing the requester's identity is essential to determine whether he or she

plans to, and knows how to, communicate information to the public. Plans to write a book, research a subject, work on a doctoral dissertation, or indigency are not reason enough to waive fees. The requester must tell how he or she plans to disclose the information to the general public. You may ask requesters for their qualifications, the nature of their research, the purpose of requesting information, and their plans for making information public.

(iv) Factor 4-Significance of Public Understanding. Balance the relative significance or impact of the disclosure against the level of public knowledge or understanding that exists before disclosure. Records released on a subject of wide public interest should contain previously unknown facts that increase public knowledge. They should not duplicate what the general public already knows. Determining the significance of information requires objective judgment. Take care to determine whether disclosure will probably lead to significant public understanding of the issue. Do not judge whether the information is important enough to be public.

(2) Requirement 2. Does disclosure of the information primarily mean profit for the requester?

(i) Factor 5-Commercial Interest. If you determine the requester will use the records to make a profit, then decide if it's primary, as opposed to a personal or noncommercial interest. In addition to profit-making organizations, individuals, and other organizations may have a commercial interest in certain records. When you have difficulty deciding whether a request is commercial in nature, the requester's identity and the circumstances of the request may help. You may write to the requester and ask for more details.

(ii) Factor 6—Primary Interest. After you have determined the requester's commercial interest, decide if it is primary. Commercial interests are primary only if the requester's profit clearly overrides a personal or nonprofit interest. You must decide whether the commercial interest outweighs any benefit to the public as a result of disclosure. Waive or reduce fees when the public gains more than the requester. If the requester's commercial

interest is greater than the public interest, do not waive or reduce fees even if public interest is significant. As business organizations, news organizations have a commercial interest; however, you can assume that their primary interest is giving the general public news. Scholars writing books or engaging in other academic research, may profit, either directly or indirectly (through the institution they represent); however, such work is primarily done for educational purposes. Usually you would not assess scholars fees. Assume that brokers or others who compile government information for marketing use the information for profit.

(iii) Decide each fee waiver case by case. When you have doubts about waiving or charging a fee, favor the requester.

§ 806.21 Transferring fees to accounting and finance offices.

The Treasurer of the United States has two accounts for FOIA receipts. Use account 3210, Sales of Publications and Reproductions, Freedom of Information Act, for depositing fees for publications and forms described in Federal Account Symbols and titles. Use receipt account 3210, Fees and Other Charges for Services, Freedom of Information Act, to deposit fees for searching for, copying, and reviewing records to provide information not in existing publications or forms. Add your disbursing office's prefix to the account numbers. Deposit all FOIA receipts in these accounts except those from industrially funded and nonappropriated funded activities. Deposit these receipts in the applicable fund.

§806.22 Fee rates.

(a) These fees apply only to FOIA requests. Part 813 of this chapter, Schedule of Fees for Copying, Certifying and Searching Records and Other Documentary Material, contains the fee schedule for non-FOLA services. Refer to Part 806B of this chapter for guidance on fees for PA requests.

(b) Search and review:

(1) Clerical (E9 and GS-8 and below)— $12 an hour.

(2) Professional (01-06 and GS-9-GS/ GM-15)—$25 an hour.

(4) Computer copies (tapes or printouts)—actual cost of duplicating the tape or printout, including operator's time and tape cost.

(e) Copying cost for audiovisual documents is the actual cost of reproducing the material, including the wage of the person doing the work. Audiovisual materials given to a requester need not be reproducible.

(f) Special Services. Includes certifying that records are true copies and sending records by express mail. You may recover their costs if the requester clearly asks for and agrees to pay for them.

§806.23 Technical data.

Technical data does not include computer software or data used for contract administration, such as financial and management information. If the FOIA requires, release technical data (not including critical technology with military or space application) after the requester pays all reasonable costs for search, duplication, and review.

§806.24 Technical data fee rates.

(a) Clerical search and review-$13.25 an hour. Minimum charge-$8.30. Professionals and executives-set rate before beginning at actual hourly rate. Minimum charge is 1⁄2 of hourly rate.

(b) Copying rates depend on the type of record. If this list does include the product, use the fair market value.

(1) Aerial photographs, specifications, permits, charts, blueprints, and other technical documents-$2.50 each.

(2) Microfilmed engineering data aperture cards (silver duplicate negatives) $.75 per card.

(3) Silver duplicate negatives, keypunched and verified—$.85 per card.

(4) Diazo duplicate negatives—$.65 per card.

(5) Diazo duplicate negatives keypunched and verified-$.75 per card.

(6) Engineering data on 35mm roll film-$.50 per frame.

(7) Engineering data 16mm roll film— $.45 per frame.

(8) Engineering paper prints and drawings $1.50 each.

(9) Reprints of microfilm indices$.10 each.

(10) Office copies $3.50 for up to six images. Each additional image $.10. (11) Typewritten pages-$3.50 each. (12) Certification and validation with seal-$5.20.

(13) Hand-drawn plots and sketches$12 an hour or less.

(14) Fee Waivers for Technical Data. Waive the fees if they are more than regular FOIA fee rates if a citizen or a US corporation asks and certifies the need for technical data to submit (or assess its ability to submit) an offer to supply the United States or its contractor with a product related to the technical data. You may ask the citizen or corporation for a deposit of not more than what fulfilling the request costs. When the citizen or coporation submits the offer, refund the deposit. Also waive charges:

(15) If a requester needs technical data to meet the terms of an international agreement.

(16) If you decide, using regular FOLA fee waiver guidance, that a waiver is in the interest of the United States.

8806.25 Appeals.

Requesters may appeal denials of records, category determinations, fee waiver requests, and "no records" determinations by writing to the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, within 60 calendar days after the date of the denial letter. A requester who sends the appeal after 60 calendar days, should explain the reason for the delay.

(a) Requesters who appeal have exhausted all administrative remedies within the Department of the Air Force and The Office of the General Counsel to the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF/GC) makes a final decision. Requesters must address all appeals to

the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, through the MAJCOM or FOA FOLA office that denied the request. Requesters should attach a copy of the denial letter to their appeal and give their reasons for appealing.

(b) After coordinating with the local SJA (and the OPR, if appropriate), MAJCOM and FOA FOIA offices send all appeals, including late submissions, to Air Force Legal Services Agency (AFLSA/JACL) for determination, unless they have reconsidered and approved the request. MAJCOM and FOA FOIA offices give appeals priority. They do not have 20 workdays to process an appeal.

(c) Requesters must appeal denials involving Office of Personnel Management's controlled civilian personnel records to the Office of the General Counsel, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW, Washington DC 20415.

(d) When sending appeals to AFLSA/ JACL, attach:

(1) The original appeal letter and envelope.

(2) The initial request and any attachments.

(3) The denial letter, with an index of the denied material, if applicable.

(4) Copies of all records you have already provided; or if the records are massive (Several cubic feet) and AFLSA/JACL agrees, an index or description of released records.

(5) Copies of all administrative processing documents, including extension letters and opinions and recommendations about the request.

(6) Copy of the denied record or denied portions of it marked to show what you withheld. If the records are massive and AFLSA/JACL agrees, you may substitute a detailed description of the documents.

(7) A point-by-point discussion of factual and legal arguments the requester's appeal contains and, proof that the denial authority considered and rejected these arguments and why.

(8) An explanation of the decisionmaking process for intraagency documents denied under the deliberative process privilege and how the denied material fits into that process.

(e) Assemble appeal packages:

(1) Arrange attachments in the order listed in paragraph (d) of this section. Use tabbed dividers to separate attachments.

(2) List all attachments in your cover letter.

(3) Include the name of the person to contact and a phone number.

(f) AFLSA/JACL sends the appeal of the Office of the General Counsel, who makes a final determination. The law requires a final decision within 20 workdays after receipt of the appeal letter. The 20 days begins when the denial authority's FOIA office receives the appeal. The time limit includes processing actions by all levels. If a final determination cannot be made within 20 days, AFLSA/JACL writes to the requester to acknowledge the appeals' receipt and to explain the delay. If SAF/GC upholds the denial, in whole or in part, SAF/GC tells the requester, explains reasons for the denial, and tells the requester about judicial review rights. If SAF/GC grants the appeal, that office tells the requester in writing and releases, or directs the release of, the record.

(g) For "no records" determinations, search again, if warranted, or verify the first search. Include in the package you send to AFLSAS/JACL any letters that show you systematically tried to find records. Tell, for example, what areas or offices you search for how you conducted the search-manually, by computer, by telephone, etc.

(h) For appeals to denials of fee waiver requests, fully account for actual and estimated costs with a copy of the DD 2086 or DD Form 2086-1.

§806.26 For Official Use Only (FOUO).

FOUO is not a classification. Information marked FOUO must meet the criteria for exemptions 2 through 9, or you cannot withhold it. Do not consider or mark any other records FOUO.

(a) Originators mark records when they create them to call attention to FOUO content. An FOUO marking does not mean you must withhold a record under the FOIA. You still need to review a requested record. Examine records with and without markings to identify information that needs protection and is exempt from public release