FBI Drone Documents
| Tracking # |
1243153-000 |
| Submitted | July 20, 2012 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Drone Watch
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
1. any requests for proposals, proposals submitted by vendors, contracts, budgets or cost allocations for the purchase and/or use of aerial drones, UAs, UAVs, and UASs (hereinafter “drones”);
2. any policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on department use of drones, including on the legal process required (such as a warrant or court order), if any, before operating a drone;
3. any departmental records concerning this department’s use of drones now or plans to use drones in the future including:
a. the types of investigations or instances in which this department is using or plans to use drones, or how it plans to support, manage or oversee the usage of drones by another department or office;
b. policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on storage requirements or procedures for video or static images obtained through use of drones, including retention times;
c. the altitude at which drones can or do fly;
d. drones’ ability to carry weapons.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Drone Watch
From: Sobonya, David P.
To Whom It May Concern,
Please provide a point of contact reference the above FOIA request which was sent to the FBI on July 20, 2012.
Thank you for your cooperation regarding this matter.
From: Drone Watch
The point of contact is Michael Morisy.
Thanks!
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
I would like to reopen this FOIA (1196039-000), in light of Director Mueller's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. The Director acknowledged that the FBI owns "very few" drones, and that policies are currently being drafted regarding privacy issues. Furthermore, Mueller said that he "would have to check" on how the FBI retains "images and the like."
These statements suggest the existence not only of contracts and other purchasing documents requested in my July 2012 FOIA, but also procedures and policy documents, also included in that request. I hereby request expedited second processing of this FOIA request, as I do not believe a diligent search was conducted in the first attempt.
Best,
Shawn Musgrave
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
The FBI has received your Freedom of Information Act/Privacy (FOIPA) request and it will be forwarded to Initial Processing for review. Your request will be processed under the provisions of FOIPA and a response will be mailed to you at a later date.
Requests for fee waivers and expedited processing will be addressed once your request has been assigned an FOIPA request number. You will receive written notification of the FBI’s decision.
Information regarding the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy is available at http://www.fbi.gov/ or http://www.fbi.gov/foia/. If you require additional assistance please contact the Public Information Officer.
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
The assigned analyst has requested the following clarification regarding the above FOIPA request:
The original request was submitted by Michael Morisy/Muckrock. Are you now the point of contact or should Mr. Morisy remain the requester?
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
I am now the point of contact for this request, yes.
Thank you,
Shawn Musgrave
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
An interim response, stating the request is being processed.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 20, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
The request was received on 7-1-2013 (actual date request was scanned into the FOIPA Document Processing System) and assigned FOIPA Request Number #1196039-001. The request is presently in Initial Processing, where the assigned analyst is searching for, retrieving and reviewing potentially responsive records. If appropriate, correspondence regarding the request will be forthcoming.
Information regarding the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy is available at http://www.fbi.gov/ or http://www.fbi.gov/foia/. If you require additional assistance please contact the Public Information Officer.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 20, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number ##1196039-001.
Thank you for your help.
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
The request was reopened on 7-1-2013 (actual date request was scanned into the FOIPA Document Processing System) and assigned FOIPA Request Number #1196039-001. The request is presently in Initial Processing, where the assigned analyst is searching for, retrieving and reviewing potentially responsive records. If appropriate, correspondence regarding the request will be forthcoming.
Information regarding the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy is available at http://www.fbi.gov/ or http://www.fbi.gov/foia/. If you require additional assistance please contact the Public Information Officer.
From: Drone Watch
In light of the DOJ Inspector General's report on UAVs/drones, I hereby request expedited processing for 1196039-001.
Here is a link to the report: http://www.justice.gov/oig/reports/2013/a1337.pdf
Thank you.
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave
Below is a recent screen shot of your FOIPA status request which is available at http://www.fbi.gov/foia. Requests are updated weekly.
Check the Status of Your FOI/PA Request
If your FOIPA Number is 11195846-0 please enter 11195846-000 into the system. If your FOIPA number is 11195846-1 please enter 11195846-001 into the system.
Find status of FOIPA−Last updated on Sep. 25, 2013 6:02 am
Please enter the whole FOI/PA number- Example: 1234567-000
FOIPA:
Result
FOIPA
1196039-001
Case Type
FOIPA
Process Description
The FBI's FOIPA Program is searching the FBI's indices for potentially responsive documents. You may be contacted via formal letter for all fees and/or negotiation issues that may apply.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 20, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number ##1196039-001.
Thank you for your help.
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
Here is the online status screen shot of your FOIPA request.
Check the Status of Your FOI/PA Request
If your FOIPA Number is 11195846-0 please enter 11195846-000 into the system. If your FOIPA number is 11195846-1 please enter 11195846-001 into the system.
Find status of FOIPA−Last updated on Oct. 30, 2013 6:00 am
Please enter the whole FOI/PA number- Example: 1234567-000
FOIPA:
Result
FOIPA1196039-001Case TypeFOIPAProcess DescriptionThe FBI's FOIPA Program is searching the FBI's indices for potentially responsive documents. You may be contacted via formal letter for all fees and/or negotiation issues that may apply.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 20, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number ##1196039-001.
Thank you for your help.
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
Having reviewed the first interim release of documents in 1218544-00, I request to aggregate this request with CREW's request, and to receive responsive documents concurrent with releases for that request.
Please confirm.
Thank you,
Shawn
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
The FBI has received your additional correspondence regarding your Freedom of Information Act/Privacy (FOIPA) request and it has been forwarded to the assigned analyst for review. If appropriate, a response will be forthcoming.
Additional information regarding the FOIPA may be accessed at http://www.fbi.gov/ or http://www.fbi.gov/foia/.
If you require additional assistance please contact me.
Thank you,
David P. Sobonya
Public Information Officer/Legal Admin. Specialist
Record/Information Dissemination Section (RIDS)
FBI-Records Management Division
170 Marcel Drive, Winchester, VA 22602-4843
PIO: (540) 868-4593
Direct: (540) 868-4286
Fax: (540) 868-4391/4997
From: Saunders, Vanessa
Good Morning Mr. Morisy and Mr. Musgave,
We currently received a request from Mr. Musgrave seeking the responsive documents from the CREW request. Mr. Musgrave, we will administratively close FOIA 1196039-1, as all the information will be included in the responsive documents from the CREW request. However, the first release has already been released to the public. Are you also requesting a copy of the first release or releases thereafter? Because the CREW request is currently in litigation, it may or may not be possible to receive the documents concurrent with the CREW releases.
Mr. Morisy, I have also noticed that the information you have requested is also a part of the CREW FOIA request on UAS. Would you like to receive those responsive documents as well? If so, we will administratively close your FOIA request and combine yours with Mr. Musgrave and mail a copy of the release to you as well. If you chose to receive the responsive documents from the CREW request, are you also requesting a copy of the first release or releases thereafter?
We currently have the following opened:
FOIA 1210694-000, Requester: Michael Morisy
Requesting information on (1) Use of UAVs (2) Report or sighting of UAVs
FOA 1196039-1, Requester: Shawn Musgrave
Requesting information on (1) Contracts/Proposals (2) Policies (3) Use of UAVs
New request, Requester: Shawn Musgrave
Requesting information on (1) SOP EC dated 10/28/2010 (2) SOP EC dated 11/10/2010 or 11/10/2011 (3) BAR Manual (2011 and 2013)
New request, Requester: Shawn Musgrave
Requesting to receive responsive documents from the CREW request
Thank you.
Vanessa-FBI HQ RMD
(540) 868-4434
From: Drone Watch
Ms. Saunders,
Thank you for getting in touch on this request. I cannot speak for requests filed by Michael Morisy.
For this request, FOA 1196039-1, I ask to be sent concurrent releases as they are sent to CREW. As I understand it, litigation should not bar release of these documents to other requesters who have requested the same documents. If this is not possible, please continue with processing FOA 1196039-1, although I would ask for expedited processing in light of mounting public interest in the FBI's usage of UAVs.
Please confirm which option the FBI plans to pursue.
Best,
Shawn
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
An acknowledgement letter, stating the request is being processed.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
A cover letter granting the request and outlining any exempted materials, if any.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
A copy of documents responsive to the request.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
A letter stating the requester must agree to or prepay assessed or estimated fees in order for the agency to continue processing the request.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
A copy of documents responsive to the request.
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
Please provide an update on this request. It has been more than a month since the last release.
Thank you,
Shawn
From: Saunders, Vanessa
Good Afternoon,
I mailed out the release to you yesterday. You should be receiving it via mail soon.
Vanessa.
From: Drone Watch
Thank you!
-Shawn
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
I've sent payment per the letter for $20.
Thank you,
Shawn
From: Saunders, Vanessa
Thank you. The next release is not schedule to go out until February 28, 2014.
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
Was a release mailed on February 28 as scheduled?
Thank you,
Shawn
From: Saunders, Vanessa
No, the court gave us an extension. The release will be mailed out today.
Vanessa
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
A cover letter granting the request and outlining any exempted materials, if any.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
A first set of responsive documents from the agency, with more to be sent at a specified date.
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
I sent the $15 check for the latest release yesterday.
-Shawn
From: Saunders, Vanessa
Thanks. The next release is not scheduled to go out until the end of the month.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
A letter stating the requester must agree to or prepay assessed or estimated fees in order for the agency to continue processing the request.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
A copy of documents responsive to the request.
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
Please confirm whether another release is pending for this request? Below you indicate that a release was due at the end of March.
Thank you!
From: Saunders, Vanessa
A release was mailed to you on March 31, 2014.
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
Payment has been sent.
Thank you!
From: Drone Watch
Ms. Saunders -
Can you provide an estimated date for the next release?
Best,
Shawn
From: Saunders, Vanessa
Good Morning,
I am mailing it out this morning.
Vanessa
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
A copy of documents responsive to the request.
-
1218644-0 - Bureau Aviation Regulations 2013-Section 02.PDF
There are too many files to display on this communication. See all files
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
A letter stating the requester must agree to or prepay assessed or estimated fees in order for the agency to continue processing the request.
From: Drone Watch
Hello,
I've dropped a check for $15.00 in the mail today. Please confirm receipt when it is processed.
Thank you!
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 20, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1243153-000.
Thank you for your help.
From: Saunders, Vanessa
Good Afternoon,
The final release letter dated April 30, 2014 (enclosed with a CD) was mailed to you on May 1, 2014.
Thank you.
Vanessa
