Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal statute that allows individuals to request access to federal agency records, except to the extent records are exempt from disclosure under one or more of the nine exemptions of the FOIA.

2. Check library.

Check to see if the information has already been requested.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended, is based on the principle of openness in government and generally provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, of access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions thereof) are protected from disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions. Under the spirit and provisions of the FOIA, federal agencies must make their records available to the public to the greatest extent possible.

Any individual, public or private organization/corporation, or foreign country may submit FOIA requests for a copy of BPA records. The request must:

  1. Be in writing. 
  2. Reasonably describe the records sought.
  3. Indicate a willingness to pay fees or ask for a fee waiver.

Prior to submitting a FOIA request, please visit the Frequently Requested Information and FOIA Library to see if the records are already publicly available. Please submit requests online via FOIA.gov.