§ 24.7 - Public information.

(a) The records of the Board are open to the public for inspection and copying at the Office of the Board. Decisions and rulings of the Board shall be published from time to time and copies made available to the public upon request at cost of duplication except that the Board shall, in its discretion, have authority to make copies of decisions and rulings available at no charge in accordance with Department policy, appendix A to 7 CFR part 1, subpart A. Hearings before the Board shall be open to the public.

(b) Information that is to be made available for public inspection and copying under provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2) and 7 CFR 1.5 may be obtained at the office of the Board. The address of the Board is set forth in § 24.6. Except for such information as is generally available to the public, requests should be in writing and submitted in accordance with 7 CFR 1.6 and paragraphs (c) and (d) of this § 24.7.

(c) Facilities for copying are available at the office of the Board.

(d) Facilities for inspection and copying are available during established office hours for the Board, usually 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Department of Agriculture has established a schedule of fees for copies of information. The Board charges for copies of records in accordance with the Department fee schedule, appendix A to 7 CFR part 1, subpart A.

(e) The Vice Chair is authorized to receive requests for records submitted in accordance with 7 CFR 1.6(a), and to make determinations regarding whether to grant or deny requests for records exempt from mandatory disclosure under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552(b). This official is authorized to

(1) Extend the ten-day administrative deadline for reply pursuant to 7 CFR 1.14,

(2) Make discretionary releases pursuant to 7 CFR 1.17(b) of records except from mandatory disclosure, and

(3) Make determinations regarding the charging of fees.

(f) Appeals from denials of request submitted under paragraph (e) of this section shall be submitted in accordance with 7 CFR 1.6(e) to the Chair, Board of Contract Appeals, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-0600. The Chair shall determine whether to grant or deny the appeal and shall also make all necessary determinations relating to an extension of the twenty-day administrative deadline for reply pursuant to 7 CFR 1.14, discretionary release pursuant to 7 CFR 1.17(b) of records exempt from mandatory disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552(b), and the charging of appropriate fees.