(a) Basic limit. Requests for records shall be processed promptly. A determination whether to grant or deny a request shall be made within no more than 10 working days after receipt of a request. This determination shall be communicated immediately to the requester.

(b) Running of basic time limit. (1) The 10 working day time limit begins to run when a request meeting the requirements of § 2.14(b) is received at a field installation or bureau headquarters designated in § 2.14(a) to receive the request.

(2) The running of the basic time limit may be delayed or tolled as explained in § 2.20 (f), (g) and (h) if a requester—

(i) Has not stated a willingnes to pay fees as high as are anticipated and has not sought and been granted a full fee waiver, or

(ii) Has not made a required advance payment.

(c) Extensions of time. In the following unusual circumstances, the time limit for acting on an initial request may be extended to the extent reasonably necessary to the proper processing of the request, but in no case may the time limit be extended for more than 10 working days:

(1) The need to search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the installation processing the request;

(2) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records demanded in a single request; or

(3) The need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed, with another agency having a substantial interest in the determination of the request or among two or more components of the Department having substantial subject-matter interest therein.

(d) Notice of extension. A requester shall be notified in writing of an extension under paragraph (c) of this section. The notice shall state the reason for the extension and the date on which a determination on the request is expected to be made.

(e) Treatment of delay as denial. If no determination has been reached at the end of the 10 working day period for deciding an initial request, or an extension thereof under paragraph (c) of this section, the requester may deem the request denied and may exercise a right of appeal in accordance with § 2.18.

(f) Notice of delay. When a determination cannot be reached within the time limit, or extension thereof, the requester shall be notified of the reason for the delay, of the date on which a determination may be expected, and of the right to treat the delay as a denial for purposes of appeal to the Assistant Secretary—Policy, Budget and Administration, including a description of the procedures for filing an appeal in § 2.18.