§ 1504.316 - Time allowed for issuance of appeal determination.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Federal Inspector shall—no later than the twentieth working day after the date of receipt by the Freedom of Information Officer at OFI Headquarters of an appeal from an initial denial of a request for records—issue a written determination stating which of the requested records (as to which an appeal was made) shall be disclosed and which shall not be disclosed.

(b) The period of 20 working days shall be measured from the date when an appeal is first received by the Freedom of Information Officer at OFI Headquarters.

(c) The Federal Inspector may extend the basic 20-day period established under § 1504.316(a) by a period not to exceed 10 additional working days, by furnishing written notice to the requestor within the basic 20-day period, stating the reasons for such extension and the date by which the Federal Inspector expects to be able to issue a determination. The period may be so extended only when absolutely necessary, only for the period required, and only when one or more of the following circumstances require the extension:

(1) There is a need to search for and collect the records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the office processing the appeal;

(2) There is a need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records which are demanded in a single request; or

(3) There is a need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed, with another agency having a substantial interest in the determination of the request, or among two or more components of the OFI.