2.23—How will a bureau handle a request for commercial or financial information that it has obtained from a person or entity outside the Federal Government?
(a)
If a bureau receives a FOIA request for records containing commercial or financial information submitted by a person or entity outside the Federal Government, under Executive Order 12600, Predisclosure Notification Procedures for Confidential Commercial Information, or superseding Executive order, the bureau must provide the submitter with prompt written notice of the request, except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, whenever:
(1)
The submitter has designated the information as confidential commercial or financial information, or
(3)
Advise the submitter of the procedures for objecting to the release of the requested material and specify the time limit for responding.
(4)
Give the submitter no less than 10 workdays, from receipt (or publication as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section) of the bureau's notice, to object to the release and to explain the basis for the objection, if any.
(i)
Information contained in his/her objections may be subject to disclosure under the FOIA if the bureau receives a FOIA request for it; and
(ii)
If the submitter's objections contain commercial or financial information and a requester asks for the objections under the FOIA, the notification procedures of this subsection will apply.
(6)
Advise the submitter that it is the bureau, rather than the submitter, that is responsible for deciding whether the information will be released or withheld.
(7)
If the submitter designated the material as confidential commercial or financial information 10 or more years before the request, request the submitter's views on whether he/she still considers the information to be confidential.
(c)
Where a large number of submitters is involved, the bureau may, rather than providing written notice to each submitter, publish a notice in a manner reasonably calculated to reach the attention of the submitters (e.g., in newspapers/newsletters, the bureau's Web site, or the Federal Register ).
(d)
Whenever a bureau notifies a submitter that it may be required to disclose information in response to a FOIA request, the bureau also will notify you that it is giving the submitter an opportunity to review and comment on the material.
(e)
If the submitter has any objection to disclosure he/she must submit a detailed written statement including the following:
(1)
The justification for withholding any portion of the information under any exemption of the FOIA. In the case of exemption (4), there must be a specific and detailed discussion of:
(i)
Whether the Government required the information in question to be submitted, and if so, how substantial competitive or other business harm would likely result from release; or
(ii)
Whether the submitter provided the information voluntarily and, if so, how the information in question fits into a category of information that the submitter customarily does not release to the public.
(2)
A certification that the information is confidential, has not been disclosed to the public by the submitter, and is essentially non-public because it is not routinely available to the public from other sources.
(3)
If not already provided, a telephone number (where the submitter can be reached during normal business hours), an e-mail address, and a fax number (if available) is important information that will help the bureau or Department communicate with the submitter.
(f)
The bureau will review and consider all objections to release that are received within the time specified in the notice to the submitter. However, it is the bureau, rather than the submitter, that is responsible for deciding whether the information should be released or withheld. If a submitter fails to respond to the bureau within the time limits specified in the notice, the bureau will presume that the submitter has no objection to disclosure of the information.
(g)
If the bureau decides to release records over the submitter's objections, it will inform the submitter and you in writing. The notice to the submitter will be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the submitter's last known address and will include copies of the records the bureau intends to release and the bureau's reasons for deciding to release them. The notice also will inform the submitter that it intends to release the records 10 workdays after receipt of the notice by the submitter.
(1)
The bureau responsible for the decision determines that the information is exempt from disclosure;
(2)
The information has been lawfully published or otherwise made available to the public, such as in response to an earlier FOIA request or if the submitter has made the information public;
(3)
Disclosure of the information is required by statute (other than the FOIA) or regulation (other than this subpart);
(5)
The designation of confidentiality made by the submitter appears obviously frivolous. However, the bureau will notify the submitter of any final decision to disclose the information 15 workdays prior to releasing it.
(i)
The bureau will inform the submitter within 10 workdays of the Department's receipt of a court complaint if you file a lawsuit for access to any of the withheld records. Similarly, the bureau will notify you within 10 workdays of the Department's receipt of a court complaint if the submitter files a lawsuit to prohibit the bureau from disclosing the records.
(j)
If the bureau determines that the requested information is protected from release by exemption (4) of the FOIA, the bureau has no discretion to release the information as doing so would violate the Trade Secrets Act, a criminal provision found at 18 U.S.C. 1905.