The following uniform fee schedule is applicable to all constituent units of the Department. It states the fees to be charged to members of the public for services performed in searching for, reviewing and duplicating requested records in connection with FOIA requests made under subpart B of this part and to services performed in making documents available for inspection and copying under subpart A of this part. The duplicating fees stated in the schedule are also applicable to duplicating of records in response to requests made under the Privacy Act. The schedule also states the fee to be charged for certification of documents.

(1) Copies, basic fee. For copies of documents reproduced on a standard office copying machine in sizes to 81/2 ′′ x 14′′, the charge will be $0.13 per page.

Examples: For one copy of a three-page document, the fee would be $0.39. For two copies of a three-page document, the fee would be $0.78. For one copy of a 60-page document, the fee would be $7.80.

(2) Copies, documents requiring special handling. For copies of documents which require special handling because of their age, size, etc., cost will be based on direct costs of reproducing the materials.

(3)-(4) [Reserved]

(5) Searches. For each quarter hour, or portion thereof, spent by clerical personnel in manual searches to locate requested records: $2.30. For each quarter hour, or portion thereof, spent by professional or managerial personnel in manual searches to locate requested records because the search cannot be performed by clerical personnel: $4.65.

Search time for which fees may be charged includes all time spent looking for material that is responsive to a request, including line-by-line or page-by-page search to determine whether a record is responsive, even if the search fails to locate records or the records located are determined to be exempt from disclosure. Searches will be conducted in the most efficient and least expensive manner, so as to minimize costs for both the agency and the requester. Line-by-line or page-by-page identification should not be necessary if it is clear on the face of a document that it is covered by a request.

(6) Review of records. For each quarter hour, or portion thereof, spent by clerical personnel in reviewing records: $2.30. For each quarter hour, or portion thereof, spent by professional or managerial personnel in reviewing records: $4.65.

Review is the examination of documents located in response to a commercial use request to determine whether any portion of any document located is permitted to be withheld and the subsequent processing of documents for disclosure by excising exempt material or otherwise preparing them for release. Review does not include time spent in resolving general legal or policy issues regarding the application of exemptions.

(7) [Reserved]

(8) Certification. For each certificate of verification attached to authenticated copies of records furnished to the public the charge will be $0.25.

(9) [Reserved]

(10) Computerized records. Charges for services in processing requests for records maintained in computerized form will be calculated in accordance with the following criteria:

(a) Costs for processing a data request will be calculated using the same standard direct costs charged to other users of the facility, and/or as specified in the user's manual or handbook published by the computer center in which the work will be performed.

(b) An itemized listing of operations required to process the job will be prepared (i.e., time for central processing unit, input/output, remote terminal, storage, plotters, printing, tape/disc mounting, etc.) with related associated costs applicable to each operation.

(c) Material costs (i.e., paper, disks, tape, etc.) will be calculated using the latest acquisition price paid by the facility.

(d) ADP facility managers must assure that all cost estimates are accurate, and if challenged, be prepared to substantiate that the rates are not higher than those charged to other users of the facility for similar work. Upon request, itemized listings of operations and associated costs for processing the job may be furnished to members of the public.

(e) Requesters entitled to two hours of free search time under 43 CFR 2.20(e) shall not be charged for that portion of a computer search that equals two hours of the salary of the operator performing the search.

(11) Postage/mailing costs. Mailing charges may be added for services (such as express mail) that exceed the cost of first class postage.

(12)-(13) [Reserved]

(14) Other services. When a response to a request requires services or materials other than those described in this schedule, the direct cost of such services or materials to the Government may be charged, but only if the requester has been notified of such cost before it is incurred.

(15) Effective date. This schedule applies to all requestes made under the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act after December 30, 1987.