706.11—General provisions.
(a) Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to help interested parties obtain access to OPIC records. Many OPIC records may be accessed by the public without filing a formal request under the FOIA. Records that are not routinely available, however, must be requested under the FOIA. This part also informs OPIC's business submitters of their right to be notified of a request for disclosure of business information and to object to such disclosure. Finally, this part provides information about access to records that OPIC has transferred to the National Archives.
(b) Policy.
OPIC's policy is to make its records available to the public to the greatest extent possible, in keeping with the spirit of the FOIA. This policy includes providing reasonably segregable information from records that also contain information that may be withheld under the FOIA. However, implementation of this policy also reflects OPIC's view that the soundness and viability of many of its programs depend in large measure upon full and reliable commercial, financial, technical and business information received from applicants for OPIC assistance and that the willingness of those applicants to provide such information depends on OPIC's ability to hold it in confidence. Consequently, except as provided by law and this part, information provided to OPIC in confidence will not be disclosed without the submitter's consent.
(c) Scope.
This regulation applies to all agency records in OPIC's possession and control. This regulation does not compel OPIC to create records or to ask outside parties to provide documents in order to satisfy a FOIA request. OPIC may, however, in its discretion and in consultation with a FOIA requester, create a new record as a partial or complete response to a FOIA request. In responding to requests for information, OPIC will consider only those records within its possession and control as of the date of the request. This regulation does not apply to requests for records under the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a. OPIC's regulations governing Privacy Act requests are located at 22 CFR part 707.
(d) OPIC Internet site.
OPIC maintains an Internet site at www.opic.gov. This site contains information on OPIC functions, activities, programs, and transactions. OPIC encourages all prospective requesters of information, whether under FOIA or otherwise, to visit its Internet site prior to submitting a request.
(e) OPIC address.
OPIC is located at 1100 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20527. All correspondence should be sent to this address.