[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54239-54242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21304]


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PEACE CORPS


Proposed Peace Corps Information Quality Guidelines

AGENCY: Peace Corps.

ACTION: Proposed guidelines.

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SUMMARY: These proposed information quality guidelines are required by 
law and are intended to ensure and maximize the quality of information 
disseminated to the public by the Peace Corps. The guidelines are based 
on those issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on January 
3, 2002 (67 FR 369-378), as corrected and reprinted on February 22, 
2002 (67 FR 8451-8460). The guidelines set out the Agency's policies 
and procedures for ensuring the quality (objectivity, utility, and 
integrity) of information provided to the public. The guidelines also 
establish administrative mechanisms permitting affected persons to seek 
and obtain, where appropriate, timely correction of information 
maintained and disseminated by the Agency that does not comply with the 
OMB or its own guidelines. These guidelines represent Agency policy and 
procedures and have no legal effect and do not create any legal rights 
or obligations.

DATES: Public comment is requested on the guidelines. Comments must be 
received September 20, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted to Suzanne B. Glasow, Associate 
General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, 1111 20th Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20526.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne B. Glasow, Associate General 
Counsel, 202-692-2150.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB issued guidelines on January 3, 2002 (67 
FR 369-378), as corrected and reprinted on February 22, 2002 (67 FR 
8451-8460), to implement Section 515 of the Treasury and General 
Government Appropriations Act for FY 2001) Public Law 106-554, HR 
5658). Section 515 and the OMB Guidelines require each federal agency 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act to issue its own guidelines that 
provide policies and procedures used by the Agency to ensure the 
objectivity, utility, and integrity of information disseminated by the 
Agency. The guidelines must also establish administrative mechanisms 
allowing affected persons to obtain correction of information 
disseminated to the public that does not comply with the OMB and Agency 
guidelines. The Peace Corps requests public comment on these proposed 
guidelines.

Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality of Information 
Prior to Public Dissemination

Section I  Purpose

    These guidelines are intended to set out the Agency's procedures 
for ensuring the quality of information it disseminates to the public.

Section II  Definitions

    1. ``Affected persons'' are those who may directly benefit or be 
harmed by the disseminated information, including: (a) Persons seeking 
to address information about themselves or about the persons to whom 
they are directly related or publicly associated; and (b) persons that 
may reasonably be expected to experience significant adverse impact to 
their financial interests as a result of the information deficiency.
    2. ``Dissemination'' means the distribution of information 
initiated or sponsored by the Peace Corps to the general public within 
the United States. Dissemination does not include distribution of 
information or other materials that are:
    (a) Intended for government employees, including Peace Corps 
employees and Volunteers, or government contractors or grantees (for 
example: directories, staffing information, internal manuals; cables);
    (b) Intended for U.S. Government agencies;
    (c) Produced in response to requests for agency records under the 
Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act or similar laws;
    (d) Correspondence or other communications limited to individuals 
(examples include questions or concerns about individual passports, 
visas, adoptions, missing persons, applications for employment, or 
federal benefits) or to other persons, as defined in this section;
    (e) Distributed to the pass as a summary of a recent event or Peace 
Corps action;
    (f) Archival records; public filings; responses to subpoenas or 
compulsory document productions; or
    (g) Documents prepared and released in the context of adjudicative 
processes. (These guidelines do not impose any additional requirements 
on agencies during adjudicative proceedings and do not provide parties 
to such adjudicative proceedings any additional rights of challenge or 
appeal.)
    3. ``Influential,'' when used in the phrase ``influential 
scientific, financial, or statistical information,'' refers to a narrow 
category of information with respect to which an agency can reasonably 
determine that dissemination will have a clear and substantial impact 
on important public policies or important private sector decisions. To 
be considered influential, information must be based on objective and 
quantifiable data that constitute a principal basis for substantive 
policy positions adopted by the Peace Corps. Any influential 
information to be disseminated by the Peace Corps is reviewed for 
quality by the Agency, or another agency within the federal government, 
depending on who is primarily responsible for developing such 
information. Where circumstances deem it appropriate, the Agency may 
include the identity of the federal government agency or international 
organization originating any cited influential information in 
information disseminated by the Peace Corps.
    4. ``Information,'' for purposes of these guidelines, means any 
communication or representation of knowledge, such as facts or data, in 
any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, 
cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual forms. This definition includes 
information that Peace Corps disseminates on the Agency's external web 
page, but does not include the provision of hyperlinks to information 
that others disseminate. ``Information'' does not include:
    (a) Statements on foreign policy or that might cause harm to the 
national security;
    (b) Information originated by, and attributed to, non-Peace Corps 
sources, provided the Peace Corps does not expressly rely on it;
    (c) Opinions, where the Agency's presentation makes it clear that 
what is being offered is someone's opinion rather than fact or the 
Agency's views;
    (d) Statements related solely to the internal personnel rules and 
practices of the Peace Corps or materials produced for Peace Corps 
employees, contractors, Volunteers, agents or alumni;
    (e) Descriptions of the Peace Corps, its responsibilities and its 
organizational components;
    (f) Testimony of Peace Corps officials before courts, 
administrative bodies, or Congress;
    (g) Investigatory material complied pursuant to U.S. law or for law 
enforcement purposes in the United States or abroad; or
    (h) Statements which are, or which reasonably may be expected to 
become, the subject of litigation, whether before a U.S. or foreign 
court or in an international arbitral or other dispute resolution 
proceeding.
    5. ``Integrity'' refers to the security of information, that is, 
the protection of the information from unauthorized access, revision, 
corruption, or falsification.
    6. ``Objectivity'' addresses whether disseminated information is 
being presented in an accurate, clear, complete, and unbiased manner,

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including background information where warranted by the circumstances.
    7. ``Person'' means an individual, an organization, or a State or 
local government or division thereof.
    8. ``Quality'' is an umbrella term comprising the terms 
``utility,'' ``objectivity,'' and ``integrity.''
    9. ``Utility'' refers to the usefulness of the information to its 
intended users.

Section III  Procedures To Ensure the Quality of Information

    The Peace Corps is committed to providing the public with reliable 
and useful information. To meet this goal, the Agency collects 
information from as many reasonably available and reliable sources as 
appropriate and subjects draft information intended for public 
dissemination to a thorough review process. Quality control procedures 
apply at all stages of the information lifecycle, including the times 
of creation, collection, maintenance, and dissemination.
A. Objectivity and Utility of Information
    1. The office collecting and drafting information intended for 
public dissemination has the primary responsibility to follow quality 
control procedures, pursuing the most knowledgeable and reliable 
sources reasonably available through the Agency's resources and by 
confirming the objectivity and utility of information internally within 
the office, with all interested Agency offices, and with other 
government agencies, when appropriate.
    2. The Agency's quality control system for information 
dissemination is based generally on the ``action'' and ``clearance'' 
processes. The action process constitutes the work done by the office 
responsible for the product. The ``clearance'' process involves the 
review of the product by offices who are authorized to provide 
clearance and approval of the product. This dual process places 
responsibility for action upon a particular office while ensuring that 
the information and opinions of other offices are brought to bear on 
the proposed action.
    3. The action office should assign an action to an ``action 
officer,'' typically the principal drafter. The action officer will 
follow any office specific quality review procedures and consult 
informally with officers in other interested offices before preparing 
the information. The action officer's role includes:
    (a) Preparing an action document after consulting the necessary 
materials and people, including government and non-government sources, 
as appropriate;
    (b) Determining clearance points;
    (c) Making the initial determination as to where the final decision 
shall be made;
    (d) Obtaining clearances and approvals; and
    (e) Overcoming delays and, if necessary, presenting the matter to 
higher authority.
    4. Clearances or approvals of information for dissemination are 
generally obtained from any office within the Peace Corps or any other 
agency within the federal government that has a substantive interest in 
the information. If an office designated for clearance disagrees with 
the information and differences cannot be resolved at that level, the 
matter is raised to an Agency official at a higher level.
    5. Action officers may also seek advice from other offices having a 
collateral interest in the subject matter of the information. Offices 
with collateral interests are offices whose field of responsibility is 
not vitally affected by the proposed action, but they may have useful 
information or views to contribute. Clearances from such offices are 
not required.
    6. Where there are differences in views within the Agency 
concerning proposed information, the differences are generally 
documented and explained to offices asked to clear or approve the 
document. After reasonable efforts have been made to resolve any 
substantive differences, superior officers are informed of the 
dissenting views and made the necessary decisions. Final clearance of 
all publications developed for public dissemination must be cleared by 
the Senior Publications Manager.
    7. While the ``action'' and ``clearance'' processes are general 
requirements for a range of information dissemination actions, there 
are specific requirements for certain categories of information 
dissemination. For example, information disseminated on the Agency's 
external web site must be cleared by the Agency's Internet 
Communications Director. Information disseminated on the Agency's 
internal web site must be cleared by the Agency's Intranet Manager.
    8. The quality of the Agency's disseminated information is also 
controlled by limits on who may speak on behalf of the Agency. The 
Agency's Director of Communications has been delegated authority to 
speak on behalf of the Peace Corps.
    9. When the Agency disseminates reports or other statements, it 
seeks input from multiple qualified and expert sources The Agency also 
attempts to corroborate all information received. In instances where 
statements cannot be corroborated adequately, those statements are 
accompanied by attribution to the source, wherever practicable, to 
assist the reader in assessing their credibility. Where the Agency 
disseminates conclusions on an issue, effort is made to identify the 
facts or events upon which the conclusions are based, to the extent 
appropriate.
B. Integrity of Information
    1. ``Integrity'' refers to the security of information (paper, 
electronic and other forms), including the protection of the 
information from unauthorized access, revision, or from being 
compromised through corruption or falsification.
    2. The security of electronic information is the responsibility of 
the Chief Information Officer (CIO) who approves new policies, oversees 
security operations related to Agency-wide information resources, 
management, and systems, and engages in policy development and 
planning.
    3. Within the Agency, the Information Technology (IT) security 
program gives every Agency staff member general responsibility for the 
security of the IT systems they use. Technology implementers and the 
Agency's senior staff are assigned more explicit responsibilities. The 
IT Security Program Manager's role includes developing and maintaining 
an information security program, promoting effective implementation and 
maintenance of information security policies and procedures, 
controlling techniques throughout the Agency, and training, overseeing 
and assisting Agency personnel with significant information security 
related responsibilities. Under the CIO, the Agency develops, 
implements, and maintains new computer software and hardware systems 
and provides operational support for systems and system users.
    4. Assisted by the IT Security Program Manager, office directors 
and program managers are primarily responsible and accountable for the 
integrity of information within their offices. On a day-to-day basis, 
the responsibilities are carried out by the managers of networks, 
systems and applications. These technical personnel assess and manage 
the information security risks associated with the operations and 
assets for programs and systems within their control. In that capacity, 
the technical personnel determine the levels of information security 
appropriate to protect such operations and assets and periodically test 
and evaluate information security controls and techniques.

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    5. The security of paper and other forms of information, other than 
electronic information, is the responsibility of the Director of 
Security.

Section IV  Requests for Correction of Information

    The Peace Corps works to be responsive to users of its information 
and to improve its information products. The procedures set out in this 
section are available to ``affected'' persons who seek to correct 
information publicly disseminated by the Peace Corps and apply to 
information disseminated by the Peace Corps on or after October 1, 
2002.
    1. Persons seeking to correct information publicly disseminated by 
the Peace Corps must send a written request to the Senior Publications 
Manager, Office of the Director, 1111 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20526.
    2. Requests for correction are presumed timely if submitted within 
sixty (60) days of the dissemination date of the information being 
challenged.
    3. Requests will be assigned a reference number and a notice of 
receipt of the request will be sent to the requester.
    4 The reviewing office will give the request due consideration, 
including a review of the disseminated information at issue and other 
materials, as appropriate.
    5. In determining whether a response to the request for correction 
is appropriate, the reviewing office shall consider the following 
factors:
    (a) Whether the statements challenged by the requester fall within 
the scope of ``information'' that has been disseminated by the Agency, 
as those terms are defined in these guidelines;
    (b) Whether the requester is ``affected'' by the information at 
issue, as that term is defined in these guidelines;
    (c) The importance of the formations involved; and
    (d) The nature and extent of the request and the public benefit of 
making the requested correction.
    6. A request will not be considered if the Agency determines:
    (a) It is not submitted by an ``affected'' person, as that term is 
defined in these guidelines;
    (b) It does not involve the correction of information publicly 
disseminated by the Peace Corps;
    (c) It is not timely; or
    (d) Consideration of the request would not advance material 
interests of the requester, the general public, or the Peace Corps.
    7. Where the reviewing office determines that the information 
publicly disseminated by the Agency was incorrect, it may take 
corrective measures, as appropriate, recognizing the potential 
implications for the requester, the United States, and the Agency, 
without disrupting Agency process.
    8. Where the Agency determines that a response under these 
guidelines is not appropriate, it will so advise the requester.
    9. In most cases, where response under these guidelines is 
appropriate, the Agency will respond within sixty (60) days of request. 
The requester will be notified if additional time is required. Agency 
responses will describe the disposition of the request, the reasons for 
the disposition, and any corrective action taken or pending.
    10. Subject to applicable law, rules or regulations, notice of 
corrective measures may include, but are not limited to, personal 
contacts via letter, press releases, or posting on the Agency's 
website. Notice of corrective measures, where appropriate, should be 
designed to provide reasonable notice to all affected persons.

Section V  Procedures for Requesting Reconsideration

    1. An affected person who received notice from the Agency of the 
disposition of his or her request under Section IV of these guidelines, 
may request consideration of the disposition, unless the disposition 
was a determination that a response to the request was not appropriate.
    2. To request reconsideration, the requester shall make the request 
in writing to the Director of the Peace Corps, and include a copy of 
original request for correction previously submitted to the Agency. The 
request for reconsideration shall be sent to the Office of the 
Director, 1111 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20526. Requests for 
Reconsideration must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the date 
of the Agency's disposition notification to the requester.
    3. Requests for Reconsideration shall be reviewed by the Director 
or designee. The Director or designee shall apply the same standards 
and procedures applicable to the original request for correction.
    4. The Agency will generally respond within sixty (60) days of 
receipt of the request. The requester will be informed of the 
disposition of the request and reasonable notice shall be given 
affected persons of any corrective actions taken. The decision shall 
constitute a final action by the Agency.

    Dated: August 15, 2002.
Tyler S. Posey,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 02-21304 Filed 8-20-02; 8:45 am]
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