Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests – Department of Small and Local Business Development
The information on this website is organized as follows:
I. General Information
II. How To Obtain Records from the Department Pursuant to FOIA
a. How to file a FOIA request with the Department of Small and Local Business Development;
b. What information should be included in a FOIA request
c. When will a response be provided
III. Public information that does not require a FOIA request
IV. Other information
I. General Information
The FOIA Officer is the principal contact point within the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) for advice and policy guidance on matters pertaining to the administration of the FOIA. All requests are handled professionally and expeditiously.
FOIA Officer
Spenser Dettwyler
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 850 North
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 727-3900
Fax: (202) 724-3786
TTY: 711
All District of Columbia Government agencies are governed by D.C. Official Code § 2-531 et seq. Therefore, requesting parties are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the content of the law, which includes exemptions under D.C. Official Code § 2-534. These laws can be found at http://www.bega-dc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/FOIAStatutes-DCCode2-531-40.pdf.
Some of the FOIA exemptions include:
- Disclosure of personal information would clearly constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy;
- Disclosure of investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes would interfere with enforcement proceedings, deprive a person of a right to a fair trial, constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, etc.;
- Disclosure of inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums
II. How To Obtain Records from the Department Pursuant to FOIA
A. How to file a FOIA request with the Department of Small and Local Business Development
FOIA requests submitted to the Department should be submitted in writing. 1 DCMR §402.2. Requests may be submitted via mail.
- EMAIL – You can email FOIA requests to [email protected] The information submitted on the FOIA request will depend on the type(s) of records that are being requested. Refer below to Section C – What information should be included.
- ADDRESS REQUESTS TO -
Department of Small and Local Business Development
Office of Information and Privacy
Attn: FOIA Request
441 4th Street, NW
Suite 850N
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 727-3900
B. What Information Should Be Included
FOIA requests must reasonably describe the desired records and, where possible, provide specific information so a reasonable search for the records can be conducted. 1 DCMR §§402.4 and 402.5.
Requests for Records must include the following:
- The requestors' contact information - home address even if it is different from the requested record, telephone number, and email address.
- Year(s) of document being requested
C. When You Can Expect a Response
All requests received by the Department are cataloged and assigned a FOIA number (e.g., 14-XXXX). Determination letters and a copy of the request are generally sent within 15 business days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) from the date the FOIA Officer receives the request. D.C. Official Code §2-532 (c).
The response timeframe may be extended by an additional ten (10) business days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) for unusual circumstances, such as when the documents are voluminous or another District of Columbia agency needs to be consulted about the request. D.C. Official Code §2-532 (d).
III. Public information that does not require a FOIA request
Under District law (D.C. Official Code §2-536), certain type(s) of records do not require a FOIA request because they are considered public information. Links and information about these records are provided below.
- Names, salaries, title, and dates of employment for D.C. Government Employees – Visit http://foia.dc.gov
- Instructions: Option 1: Highlight the hyperlink. Right-click on your mouse and then select “Open Hyperlink.” Option 2: Copy and paste the web link into your internet browser.
- Go to the section titled “Public Information,” then click on the link “View Public Body Employee Information (PDF).”
- Administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect a member of the public
Budget information – Visit http://cfo.dc.gov/node/465802
(2014 DSLBD) or http://dccouncil.us/budget/2015/committee-on-business-consumer-regulatory-affairs
IV. Other information
- For additional information about FOIA, visit http://foia.dc.gov or the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA), Office of Open Government at http://www.bega-dc.gov/
For a listing of the District’s FOIA Officers (at agencies other than DSLBD) or FOIA reports, please visit http://www.bega-dc.gov/freedom-information-act