Background
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966 and provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. Federal agencies are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them, except for those records that are protected from disclosure. Federal agencies are also required to charge a requester for research, analysis, review of proprietary information, and duplication of material.
The FOIA Office is located in Volpe's Office of the Chief Counsel. Volpe’s FOIA Office receives requests from small and large businesses, consulting firms, and law offices. Most of the requests pertain to current Volpe contracts.
Request Process
FOIA simply requires that a request must be in writing and "reasonably describe" the records being sought. This means the description must be specific so that the FOIA Officer will be able to locate the records within a reasonable amount of time and effort. The more precise and accurate the request, the more likely you are to get a prompt and complete response.
To make a FOIA request either by mail or email send your request to the FOIA Officer, Andrea Griswold, andrea.griswold@dot.gov.
Reading Room Records
Only Reading Room records created on or after November 1, 1996 are required to be made available electronically. Other Reading Room records maintained by Volpe can be accessed from the following conventional (paper) Reading Room:
DOT FOIA Office, 55 Broadway, Kendall Sq., Cambridge MA 02142; Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To arrange access, telephone (617) 494-2718 or (617) 494-2731. A computer terminal and printer are available at this location for accessing Electronic Reading Room records.