Human and Administrative Resources Management Branch, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20036-4505.

The principal categories of individuals covered by the system are persons filing allegations of prohibited personnel practices, improper political activity, or other prohibited activities; persons identified as engaging or participating in such practices or activities; persons filing disclosures of alleged wrongdoing by federal agencies, and persons identified as engaging or participating in such wrongdoing; persons requesting advisory opinions on political activity; persons charged by OSC in disciplinary action complaints filed by OSC with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB); and plaintiffs seeking remedies against OSC in litigation related to the performance of its official functions.

Correspondence with persons (or their representatives) filing allegations of prohibited personnel practices, improper political activity, or other prohibited activities; correspondence with other agencies, entities, or individuals referring matters to OSC for review and/or investigation; exhibits and other documentation from complainants, governmental entities or other third parties; interview records, including notes, summaries, or transcripts; affidavits; reports or other summaries of investigation; factual and legal summaries and analyses; administrative determinations; referrals to other agencies for appropriate action; records created or compiled in connection with litigation by or against OSC, or pertinent to OSC operations; requests and decisions under the Freedom of Information and/or Privacy Acts; and other correspondence and documents arising out of the performance of official OSC functions under 5 U.S.C. 1211-1221, 1501-1508, and 7321-7326; 38 U.S.C. 4324, and other applicable law or regulation.

5 U.S.C. 552, 552a, 1211-1221, 1501-1508, and 7321-7326; and 38 U.S.C. 4324.

a. To disclose the fact that an allegation of prohibited personnel practices or other prohibited activity has been filed;

b. To disclose information to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) pursuant to Civil Service Rule 5.4 (5 CFR 5.4), or to obtain an advisory opinion concerning the application or effect of civil service laws, rules, regulations or OPM guidelines in particular situations;

c. To disclose to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other agency or office concerned with the enforcement of the anti-discrimination laws, information concerning any allegation or complaint of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicapping condition;

d. To disclose information to the MSPB or the President upon the filing or referral of a disciplinary action complaint against an employee on the basis of an OSC investigation;

e. To disclose information to an agency, the MSPB, OPM, and the President reporting, under 5 U.S.C. 1214, the results of investigations which disclose reasonable grounds to believe a prohibited personnel practice has occurred, exists, or is to be taken;

f. To disclose information to Congress in connection with the submission of an annual report on activities of the Special Counsel;

g. To disclose information to any agency or person regarding allegations of prohibited personnel practices or other prohibited activity or prohibited political activity filed against an agency or any employee thereof, for the purposes of conducting an investigation, in transmitting information to an agency under 5 U.S.C. 1213(c)(1) and the OSC procedures established thereunder; or to give notice of the status or outcome of the investigation;

h. To disclose information to any source from which additional information is requested (to the extent necessary to identify the individual, inform the source of the purpose(s) of the request, and to identify the type of information requested), where necessary to obtain information relevant to an agency decision concerning the hiring or retention of an employee, the issuance of a security clearance, the conducting of a security or suitability investigation of an individual, the letting of a contract, or the issuance of a license, grant, or other benefit;

i. To disclose information to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) at any stage in the legislative coordination and clearance process in connection with private relief legislation, as set forth in OMB Circular No. A-19;

j. To provide information to a congressional office from the record of an individual in response to an inquiry from that congressional office (made at the request of that individual);

k. To furnish information to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in records management inspections conducted under authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906;

l. To produce summary descriptive statistics and analytical studies in support of the function for which the records are collected and maintained or for related work force studies;

m. To disclose records to the Department of Justice (DOJ) when:

(1) The OSC, or

(2) Any employee of the OSC in his or her official capacity, or

(3) Any employee of the OSC in his or her individual capacity where the DOJ has agreed to represent the employee, or

(4) The United States, where the OSC determines that litigation is likely to affect the OSC, is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and the use of such records by the DOJ is deemed by the OSC to be relevant and necessary to the litigation, provided, however, that the OSC determines that disclosure of the records to the DOJ is a use of the information contained in the records that is compatible with the purpose for which the records were collected;

n. To disclose records maintained by the OSC in a proceeding before a court or adjudicative body before which the OSC is authorized to appear, when:

(1) The OSC, or

(2) Any employee of the OSC in his or her official capacity,

(3) Any employee of the OSC in his or her individual capacity where the OSC has agreed to represent the employee, or

(4) The United States, where the OSC determines that litigation is likely to affect the OSC, is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and the OSC determines that use of such records is relevant and necessary to the litigation, provided, however, that the OSC determines that disclosure of the records is a use of the information contained in the records that is compatible with the purpose for which the records were collected;

o. To disclose information to the MSPB to aid in the conduct of special studies by the Board under 5 U.S.C. 1204(a)(3);

p. To disclose information to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or comparable internal inspection, audit, or oversight office of an agency for the purpose of facilitating the coordination and conduct of investigations and review of allegations within the purview of both the OSC and the agency OIG or comparable office;

q. To disclose information to the news media and the public when (1) the matter under investigation has become public knowledge, (2) the Special Counsel determines that disclosure is necessary to preserve confidence in the integrity of the OSC investigative process or is necessary to demonstrate the accountability of OSC officers, employees, or individuals covered by this system, or (3) the Special Counsel determines that there exists a legitimate public interest (e.g., to demonstrate that the law is being enforced, or to deter the commission of prohibited personnel practices, prohibited political activity, and other prohibited activity within the OSC's jurisdiction), except to the extent that the Special Counsel determines in any of these situations that disclosure of specific information in the context of a particular case would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; and

r. To disclose information to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) about OSC's referral of a complaint alleging a violation of veterans preference requirements to DOL for further action under the Veterans' Employment Opportunities Act of 1998; to disclose information to DOL or any agency or person as needed to develop relevant information about matters referred by DOL to OSC under 38 U.S.C. 4324 (the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994)the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994; to disclose information to DOL or any agency or person as needed to advise on the status or disposition of matters referred by DOL to OSC for disciplinary action under 5 U.S.C. 1215, or litigation under 38 U.S.C. 4324.

Storage:

These records are stored in a variety of media, primarily consisting of file folders, and computer storage equipment.

Files in this system of records are retrievable by the names of key individuals or agencies involved (e.g., complainants or requesters; subjects identified in corrective action or disciplinary proceedings, warning letters, or other determinations; legal, congressional, or other representatives or points of contact; or key witnesses), although files are generally retrieved by the name of: (a) The complainant alleging a prohibited personnel practice, or other prohibited activity; (b) the alleged subject of a complaint about prohibited political activity; (c) the person filing an allegation through the OSC whistleblower disclosure channel; (d) the name of the person filing a request for an advisory opinion on political activity; (e) the name of the person on whose behalf OSC seeks corrective action, or the person against whom OSC seeks disciplinary action, in litigation before the MSPB; and (f) the plaintiff in litigation against OSC.

These records are located in lockable file cabinets or in secured areas. The required use of computer password protection identification features and other system protection methods also restrict access. Access is limited to those agency personnel who have an official need for access to perform their duties.

NARA keeps records about prohibited personnel practices and other prohibited activity for three years after the matter or case is closed, or for six years if the file has been the subject of a Freedom of Information Act request. NARA is responsible for disposal of OSC records pursuant to law and regulation.

The official responsible for records management functions associated with OSC program and administrative files, including those in the OSC/GOVT-1 system of records, is the Records Management Officer, Human and Administrative Resources Management Branch, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20036-4505.

Individuals who wish to inquire whether this system contains information about them should contact the system manager. To assist in the process of locating and identifying records, individuals should furnish the following:

a. Name and address;

b. Date and place of birth;

c. Social Security number;

d. A description of the circumstances under which records may have been included in the system.

Same as notification procedure, above.

Individuals who wish to contest records about them should contact the system manager, identify any information they believe should be corrected, and furnish a statement of the basis for the requested correction along with all available supporting documents and materials.

Information in this system of records is obtained from a variety of sources, consisting of complainants or others on whose behalf allegations, or requests for information, have been submitted or referred to OSC; legal, congressional, or other representatives or points of contact; other government bodies; witnesses and subjects in matters under review; principals involved in litigation matters, including parties and their representatives; and other persons or entities furnishing information pertinent to the discharge of functions for which OSC is responsible.

a. Complaint, Litigation and Political Activity files containing investigatory material compiled by OSC for law enforcement purposes are exempt to the extent allowed under subsections (k)(2) and (5) of the Privacy Act. This exemption is necessary to protect confidential sources and facilitate the voluntary cooperation of witnesses during inquiries into allegations of prohibited personnel practices or other prohibited activities.

b. Testing or examination material compiled by OSC solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service is exempt to the extent allowed under subsection (k)(6) of the Privacy Act. This exemption is necessary to prevent the disclosure of information that would potentially give an individual an unfair competitive advantage or diminish the utility of established examination procedures.

c. OSC reserves the right to assert exemptions for records received from another agency that could be properly claimed by that agency in responding to a request, and OSC may refuse access to information compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding, pursuant to subsection (d)(5) of the Privacy Act.

Security Office, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 M. Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505.

Individuals who require regular, ongoing access to federal facilities, information technology systems, or information classified in the interest of national security, including applicants for employment or contracts, federal employees, temporary hires, contractors, students, interns (both paid and unpaid), volunteers, affiliates, individuals authorized to perform services provided in OSC facilities (e.g., building security, office cleaning, building contractors, etc.), and individuals formerly in any of these positions. The system also includes individuals accused of security violations or found in violation.

Name, former names, birth date, birth place, Social Security number, home address, phone numbers, employment history, residential history, education and degrees earned, names of associates and references and their contact information, citizenship, names of relatives, birthdates and places of relatives, citizenship of relatives, names of relatives who work for the federal government, criminal history, mental health history, drug use, financial information, fingerprints, summary report of investigation, results of suitability decisions, level of security clearance, date of issuance of security clearance, requests for appeal, witness statements, investigator's notes, tax return information, credit reports, security violations, circumstances of violation, and agency action taken; Standard Forms SF-85, SF-85P, SF-86, SF-86C, SF-87, FD-258.

Depending upon the purpose of the investigation, the U.S. government is authorized to ask for this information under Executive orders 10450, 10865, 12333, and 12356; 5 U.S.C. 3301 and 9101; 42 U.S.C. 2165 and 2201; 50 U.S.C. 781-887; 5 C.F.R. parts 5, 732, and 736; and HSPD 12.

The records in this system of records are used to document and support decisions about clearance for access to classified information, the suitability, eligibility, and fitness for service of applicants for federal employment and contract positions, including students, interns, volunteers and other individuals to the extent their duties require access to federal facilities, information, systems, or applications. The records may be used to document security violations and supervisory actions taken.

When determined by OSC that disclosure of a record is a use of information in the record compatible with the purpose for which the record was collected -

a. To the Department of Justice (DOJ) when:

(1) The OSC, or

(2) Any employee of the OSC in his or her official capacity, or

(3) Any employee of the OSC in his or her individual capacity when the DOJ has been asked, or has agreed, to represent the employee, or

(4) The United States, when the OSC determines that litigation is likely to affect the agency, is a party to litigation, or has an interest in such litigation, and the use of such records by the DOJ is deemed by the OSC to be relevant and necessary to the litigation.

b. To a court or adjudicative body in a proceeding, when:

(1) The OSC, or

(2) Any employee of the OSC in his or her official capacity,

(3) Any employee of the OSC in his or her individual capacity when the OSC has agreed to represent the employee, or

(4) The United States, when the OSC determines that litigation is likely to affect the OSC, is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and the use of such records by the DOJ is deemed by the OSC to be relevant and necessary to the litigation.

c. Except as noted on Standard Forms SF 85, 85-P, 86, and 86-C, when a record, alone or in conjunction with other records, indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, criminal, or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order issued pursuant to such a statute, to the appropriate public authority, whether federal, state, local, foreign, tribal, or otherwise, responsible for enforcing, investigating or prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to the statute, if the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, investigative or prosecutorial responsibility of the receiving entity.

d. To a congressional office in response to an inquiry from that office made at the written request of the constituent about whom the record is maintained.

e. To the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for records management functions authorized by laws, regulations, and policies governing NARA operations and agency records management responsibilities.

f. To agency contractors, experts, consultants, detailees, or non-OSC employees performing or working on a contract, service, or other activity related to the system of records, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act, when necessary to accomplish an agency function related to the system of records.

g. To any source or potential source from which information is requested in the course of an investigation concerning the retention of an employee or other personnel action (other than hiring), or the retention of a security clearance, contract, grant, license, or other benefit, to the extent necessary to identify the individual, inform the source of the nature and purpose of the investigation, and to identify the type of information requested.

h. To a federal, state, local, foreign, or tribal or other public authority the fact that this system of records contains information relevant to the retention of an employee, the retention of a security clearance, the letting of a contract, or the issuance or retention of a license, grant, or other benefit. The other agency or licensing organization may then make a request supported by the written consent of the individual for the entire record if it so chooses. No disclosure will be made unless the information has been determined to be sufficiently reliable to support a referral to another office within the agency or to another federal agency for criminal, civil, administrative personnel or regulatory action.

i. To the news media or the general public, factual information the disclosure of which would be in the public interest and which would not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, consistent with Freedom of Information Act standards.

j. To a federal, state, or local agency, or other appropriate entities or individuals, or through established liaison channels to selected foreign governments, in order to enable an intelligence agency to carry out its responsibilities under the National Security Act of 1947 as amended, the CIA Act of 1949 as amended, Executive Order 12333 or any successor order, applicable national security directives, or classified implementing procedures approved by the Attorney General and promulgated pursuant to such statutes, orders or directives.

k. To the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) when necessary to the review of private relief legislation pursuant to OMB Circular No. A-19.

l. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when: (1) The OSC suspects or has confirmed that the security or confidentiality of information in the system of records has been compromised; (2) the OSC has determined that as a result of the suspected or confirmed compromise there is a risk of harm to economic or property interests, identity theft or fraud, or harm to the security or integrity of this system or other systems or programs (whether maintained by the OSC or another agency or entity) that rely upon the compromised information; and (3) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with OSC efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm.

Storage:

Records are stored on paper in a secure location on government premises.

Background investigation files are retrieved by name.

Records are kept in a locked metal file cabinet in a lockable room at the OSC office responsible for suitability determinations. Access to the records is limited to those employees who have a need for them in the performance of their official duties.

Records in the system are retained and disposed of in accordance with General Records Schedule 18, item 22a, issued by NARA. The records are disposed of in accordance with OSC's disposal policies which call for shredding. Records are destroyed upon notification of death or not later than six months after separation or transfer of employee to another agency or department, whichever is applicable.

Security Officer, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 M. Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505.

Individuals who wish to inquire whether this system contains information about them should contact the Privacy Act Officer, U.S. Office of Special Counsel: (1) by mail at: 1730 M. Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505; (2) by telephone at: 202-254-3600; or (3) by fax at: 202-653-5161. To assist in the process of locating and identifying records, individuals should furnish the following:

a. Name and home address;

b. Business title and address;

c. A description of the circumstances under which records may have been included in the system; and

d. Any other information deemed necessary by OSC to properly process the request.

Same as notification procedures. Requesters should also reasonably specify the record contents being sought. Rules about access to Privacy Act records appear in 5 C.F.R. part 1830.

Individuals who wish to contest records about themselves should contact the OSC Privacy Act Officer, identify any information they believe should be corrected, and furnish a statement of the basis for the requested correction along with all available supporting documents and materials. See OSC Privacy Act regulations at 5 C.F.R. part 1830.

Information is obtained from a variety of sources including the employee, contractor, or applicant through use of the SF-85, SF-85P, SF-86, or SF-86C and personal interviews; employers' and former employers' records; FBI criminal history records and other databases; financial institutions and credit reports; medical records and health care providers; educational institutions; interviews of witnesses such as neighbors, friends, co-workers, business associates, teachers, landlords, or family members; tax records; and other public records. Security violation information is obtained from a variety of sources, such as guard reports, security inspections, witnesses, supervisor's reports, audit reports.

Upon publication of a final rule in the Federal Register, this system of records will be exempt in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5). Information will be withheld to the extent it identifies witnesses promised confidentiality as a condition of providing information during the background investigation.

Human Resources Branch, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 M. Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505, and in the offices of other federal agencies or entities retained by OSC to provide administrative processing services, including associated budget, accounting, audit, and other oversight functions.

Current and former OSC employees, including consultants.

This system contains financial information relating to pay, cash awards and leave awards, incentive payments, deductions and payments to other accounts, leave, and time and attendance. This includes, but is not limited to, information such as name, date of birth, social security number, home address, grade, employing organization, salary, pay plan, number of hours worked, leave accrual rate, usage, and balances; Civil Service Retirement System and Federal Employees Retirement System contributions, including Thrift Savings Plan data; Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) withholdings; federal, state, and local tax withholdings; Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) withholdings; Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) withholdings; charitable deductions; allotments to financial organizations; garnishment data; savings bond allotments; deductions for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) levies; court-ordered child support levies; federal salary offset deductions; injury compensation; unemployment compensation; leave transfer program data; direct deposit accounts; time and attendance reports; and leave requests and approvals.

5 U.S.C. 1212, and chapters 55 and 63; 31 U.S.C. 1501(a); and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) (Pub. L. 104-193).

To administer agency pay and leave functions and obligations.

When determined by OSC, or by other agencies or entities retained by OSC to provide administrative processing services, that disclosure of a record is a use of information in the record compatible with the purpose for which the record was collected -

a. To authorized employees of other agencies retained by the OSC to provide administrative processing services, including associated budget, accounting, audit, and other oversight functions.

b. To the Department of the Treasury in connection with issuance of funds electronically and by check, and U.S. Savings Bonds.

c. To the Department of Labor (DOL) in connection with a claim by an employee for compensation based on job-connected injury or illness.

d. To state and District of Columbia offices of unemployment compensation in connection with a claim by a former employee for unemployment compensation.

e. To federal, state, and local tax authorities and the Social Security Administration (SSA) in connection with income tax withholding, FICA tax withholding and other employment tax withholding and benefits.

f. To the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in connection with payroll deductions for federal employee retirement systems, or otherwise as needed in the performance of its duties.

g. To FEGLI and FEHB plan providers in connection with survivor annuity or health benefits enrollment, claims, or records reconciliation.

h. To the Combined Federal Campaign in connection with authorized payroll deductions for charitable contributions.

i. To banking institutions in enabling individual receipt of payments by direct deposit and electronic funds transfer.

j. To any source from which OSC requests information relevant to an OSC determination about an individual's pay, deductions, reimbursement, leave, or related transaction, to the extent necessary to identify the individual, inform the source of the purpose of the request, and describe the type of information requested.

k. To a congressional office in response to an inquiry from that office made at the written request of the constituent about whom the record is maintained.

l. If the individual to whom the record pertains dies, to the executor or personal representative of the estate of the individual, the individual's designee or designated beneficiary, or next of kin, in connection with estate administration.

m. To the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) when necessary to the review of private relief legislation pursuant to OMB Circular No. A-19.

n. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), OPM, DOL, IRS, or other agency with subject matter expertise to the extent necessary to obtain advice on any authorities, programs, or functions associated with records in this system.

o. When a record, alone or in conjunction with other records, indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, criminal, or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order issued pursuant to such a statute, disclosure may be made to the appropriate public authority, whether federal, state, local, foreign, or otherwise, responsible for enforcing, investigating or prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to the statute, if the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, investigative or prosecutorial responsibility of the receiving entity.

p. To agency contractors, experts, consultants, detailees, or non-OSC employees performing or working on a contract, service, or other activity related to the system of records, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act, when necessary to accomplish an agency function related to the system of records.

q. To a federal, state, or local agency requesting information for purposes associated with the hiring or retention of an employee, the conduct of a suitability or security investigation, the issuance of a security clearance, the classification of a job, the letting of a contract, or the issuance of a license, grant or other benefit, to the extent that the information is relevant and necessary to the requesting agency's decision on the matter.

r. To the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for records management functions authorized by laws, regulations, and policies governing NARA operations and agency records management responsibilities.

s. To OMB for the purpose of providing reports required of OSC in carrying out OSC's financial and other management functions.

t. To DOJ when:

(1) The OSC, or

(2) Any employee of the OSC in his or her official capacity, or

(3) Any employee of the OSC in his or her individual capacity when the DOJ has been asked, or has agreed, to represent the employee, or

(4) The United States, when the OSC determines that litigation is likely to affect the agency, is a party to litigation, or has an interest in such litigation, and the use of such records by the DOJ is deemed by the OSC to be relevant and necessary to the litigation.

u. To disclose records maintained by the OSC in a proceeding before a court or adjudicative body before which the OSC is authorized to appear, when:

(1) The OSC, or

(2) Any employee of the OSC in his or her official capacity,

(3) Any employee of the OSC in his or her individual capacity when the OSC has agreed to represent the employee, or

(4) The United States, when the OSC determines that litigation is likely to affect the OSC,

v. is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and the use of such records by the DOJ is deemed by the OSC to be relevant and necessary to the litigation.

w. To disclose information to a grievance or complaint examiner, equal employment opportunity counselor or investigator, or other federal official engaged in investigating, or settling, a grievance, complaint, or appeal filed by an employee, or disciplinary or competence determination proceedings, when the OSC determines that use of such records is relevant and necessary to the matter.

x. To an employer for the purpose of effecting salary or administrative offsets to satisfy a debt owed the United States by the record subject, in accordance with the requirements of federal debt collection laws.

y. To a court of competent jurisdiction, an authorized official, or authorized state agency, as defined in 5 C.F.R. parts 581 and 582, in compliance with orders, interrogatories, and other information requests relevant to garnishment orders with which OSC is required to comply under applicable federal law.

z. To the Department of Health and Human Services child support enforcement office, for the purpose of locating individuals to establish paternity, establishing and modifying orders of child support, identifying sources of income; and for other child support enforcement actions pursuant to the PRWORA, the names, social security numbers, home addresses, dates of birth, dates of hire, quarterly earnings, employer identifying information, and state of hire of employees.

aa. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when: (1) the OSC suspects or has confirmed that the security or confidentiality of information in the system of records has been compromised; (2) the OSC has determined that as a result of the suspected or confirmed compromise there is a risk of harm to economic or property interests, identity theft or fraud, or harm to the security or integrity of this system or other systems or programs (whether maintained by the OSC or another agency or entity) that rely upon the compromised information; and (3) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with OSC efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm.

Storage:

These records are maintained in file folders and on electronic media, including at such other agency or entity as the OSC may retain to provide administrative processing services, including associated budget, accounting, audit, and other oversight functions.

Files in this system of records are retrieved by the names of individuals, and when accessed electronically, by Social Security number.

Records in file folders are stored by the OSC in secured areas on government premises. Records on computers may only be accessed by those authorized personnel who have a need for access to perform their duties, or to those individuals on whom the record is maintained. Electronic records are only accessible using passwords and other system protection methods.

These records are kept by OSC in accordance with retention periods for such records established by NARA in applicable General Records Schedules.

Director, Human Resources Branch, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 M. Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505.

Individuals who wish to inquire whether this system contains information about them should contact the Privacy Act Officer, U.S. Office of Special Counsel: (1) by mail at: 1730 M. Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505; (2) by telephone at: 202-254-3600; or (3) by fax at: 202-653-5161. To assist in the process of locating and identifying records, individuals should furnish the following:

a. Name and home address;

b. Business title and address;

c. A description of the circumstances under which records may have been included in the system; and

d. Any other information deemed necessary by OSC to properly process the request.

Same as notification procedures. Requesters should also reasonably specify the record contents being sought. Rules about access to Privacy Act records appear in 5 C.F.R. part 1830.

Individuals who wish to contest records about themselves should contact the OSC Privacy Act Officer, identify any information they believe should be corrected, and furnish a statement of the basis for the requested correction along with all available supporting documents and materials. See OSC Privacy Act regulations at 5 C.F.R. part 1830.

Information in this system of records is obtained from a number of sources, including the individual to whom the record pertains, officials in OSC, official personnel records at OSC, OPM, IRS, SSA, DOL, and state government offices, and courts.

OSC reserves the right to assert exemptions for records received from another agency that could be properly claimed by that agency in responding to a request. OSC may, pursuant to subsection (d)(5) of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), refuse access to information compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding.