The Postal Service is reminding employees about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a federal law that keeps citizens in the know about their government.
Here’s what USPS wants you to know:
• The law allows the public to request access to records from any federal agency. This includes the Postal Service, which is required to disclose any information requested under the law unless the request falls under one of nine exemptions that protect interests such as personal privacy, national security and law enforcement.
Handbook AS-353, Guide to Privacy, the Freedom of Information Act, and Records Management, describes the Postal Service’s policies and procedures.
• FOIA requests must be submitted appropriately. USPS requires these requests to be submitted to a FOIA requester service center (RSC) for processing.
If you receive a FOIA request, you must forward it to the appropriate RSC.
FOIA requests for Postal Service headquarters-controlled records, including contracts, building leases and other real estate transactions, as well as employee listings, should be directed to the USPS headquarters RSC. The email address is FOIA12@usps.com.
FOIA requests for records controlled by area offices, district offices, Post Offices and other field operations facilities should be directed to the USPS field RSC. The email address is FOIAPAField@usps.com.
• More information is available. The Ethics Blue page has more information about FOIA, as well as other privacy and records matters.