[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 4, Volume 1]
[Revised as of June 6, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 4CFR81.3]

                            TITLE 4--ACCOUNTS

                  CHAPTER I--GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE

PART 81--PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE RECORDS--Table of Contents

Sec. 81.3  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    (a) Identifiable means a reasonably specific description of a 
particular record sought, such as the date of the record, subject 
matter, agency or person involved, etc., which will permit location or 
retrieval of the record.
    (b) Records includes all books, papers, manuals, maps, photographs, 
reports, and other documentary materials, regardless of physical form 
or characteristics, including electronically created or maintained 
materials, under the control of GAO in pursuance of law or in 
connection with the transaction of public business. As used in this 
part, the term ``records'' is limited to an existing record under GAO's 
control and does not include compiling or procuring records, library or 
museum material made, acquired, or preserved solely for reference or 
exhibition purposes, or extra copies of documents preserved only for 
convenience of reference.
    (c) Records available to the public means records which may be 
examined or copied or of which copies may be obtained, in accordance 
with this part, by the public or representatives of the press 
regardless of interest and without specific justification.
    (d) Disclose or disclosure means making available for examination 
or copying, or furnishing a copy.
    (e) Person includes an individual, partnership, corporation, 
association, or public or private organization other than a Federal 
agency.
    (f) Compelling need means that a failure to obtain requested 
records on an expedited basis could reasonably be expected to pose an 
imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual, or the 
records are needed urgently, with respect to a request made by a person 
primarily engaged in disseminating information, for the requester to 
inform the public concerning actual or alleged Federal Government 
activity.