Title 45: Public Welfare
PART 5—FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REGULATIONS
Subpart D—Fees
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§ 5.43 Fee schedule.
HHS charges the following fees:
(a) Manual searching for or reviewing of records—when the search or review is performed by employees at grade GS–1 through GS–8, an hourly rate based on the salary of a GS–5, step 7, employee; when done by a GS–9 through GS–14, an hourly rate based on the salary of a GS–12, step 4, employee; and when done by a GS–15 or above, an hourly rate 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 for the specified grade and step, adding 16% of that rate to cover benefits, and rounding to the nearest whole dollar. As of November 25, 1988, these rates were $10, $20, and $37 respectively. When a search involves employees at more than one of these levels, we will charge the rate appropriate for each.
(b) Computer searching and printing—the actual cost of operating the computer plus charges for the time spent by the operator, at the rates given in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Photocopying standard size pages—$0.10 per page. FOI Officers may charge lower fees for particular documents where—
(1) The document has already been printed in large numbers,
(2) The program office determines that using existing stock to answer this request, and any other anticipated FOI requests, will not interfere with program requirements, and
(3) The FOI Officer determines that the lower fee is adequate to recover the prorated share of the original printing costs.
(d) Photocopying odd-size documents (such as punchcards or blueprints), or reproducing other records (such as tapes)—the actual costs of operating the machine, plus the actual cost of the materials used, plus charges for the time spent by the operator, at the rates given in paragraph (a) of this section.
(e) Certifying that records are true copies. This service is not required by the FOIA. If we agree to provide it, we will charge $10 per certification.
(f) Sending records by express mail, certified mail, or other special methods. This service is not required by the FOIA. If we agree to provide it, we will charge our actual costs.
(g) Performing any other special service that you request and we agree to—actual costs of operating any machinery, plus actual cost of any materials used, plus charges for the time of our employees, at the rates given in paragraph (a) of this section.
