§ 5.52 What is the FOIA fee schedule for obtaining records?

In responding to FOIA requests for records, we charge the following fees, where applicable, unless we have given you a reduction or waiver of fees. The fees we charge for search and review are three-tiered, and the hourly charge is determined by the classification and grade level of the employee performing the search or review. When the search or review is performed by employees at grade GS–1 through GS–8 (or equivalent), an hourly rate will be charged based on the salary of a GS–5, step 7, employee; when done by a GS–9 through GS–14 (or equivalent), an hourly rate will be charged based on the salary of a GS–12, step 4,employee; and when done by a GS–15 or above (or equivalent), an hourly rate will be charged based on the salary of a GS–15, step 7, employee. In each case, the hourly rate will be computed by taking the current hourly rate listed for the specified grade and step in the General Schedule Locality Pay Table for the Locality of Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, DC–MD–VA–WV–PA, adding 16% of that rate to cover benefits, and rounding to the nearest whole dollar.