PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 10-97 January 19, 2010 Modification of the Freedom of Information Act Fee Schedule The Freedom of Information Act requires federal agencies to establish a schedule of fees for the processing of requests for agency records in accordance with fee guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).1 In 1987, OMB issued its Uniform Freedom of Information Act Fee Schedule and Guidelines.2 However, because the FOIA requires that each agency’s fees be based upon the direct cost incurred by the agency in providing FOIA services,3 OMB did not provide a unitary, government-wide schedule of fees. The Commission bases its FOIA Fee Schedule on the grade level of the employee who processes the request. See 47 C.F.R. § 0.467(a)(2). Thus, the Fee Schedule is computed at Step 5 of each grade level, based on the General Schedule effective January 1987 (including 20 percent for personnel benefits). The Commission’s rules provide that the Fee Schedule will be modified periodically to correspond with modifications in the rate of pay approved by Congress. Pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 0.467(a)(1) note, the Commission announces modifications to the hourly fees by Public Notice, and posts the fee chart on its FOIA website,