2502.8—Prompt response.
(a)
The General Counsel or his or her designee shall either approve or deny a request for records within 10 working days after receipt of the request unless additional time is required for one of the following reasons:
(1)
It is necessary to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records which are demanded in a single request; or
(2)
It is necessary to consult with another agency having a substantial interest in the determination of the request or among two or more components of the agency having substantial subject matter interest therein.
(b)
When additional time is required for one of the reasons stated in paragraph (a) of this section, the General Counsel or his or her designee shall acknowledge receipt of the request within the 10 workday period and include a brief explanation of the reason for the delay, indicating the date by which a determination will be forthcoming. An extended deadline adopted for one of the reasons set forth above may not exceed 10 additional workdays.