A Requester is a person or entity who submits a formal ATIP request to a ATIP Office. Similar to the concept of users belonging to user groups, each Requester must be classified in a specific category, known as a Requester Category. The Requester Category to which a Requester belongs is a qualifying factor for granting a request for waiving the fee and/or expediting a Request.
Generally, a nominal fee is charged for a person belonging to a Requester Category that has influence over public opinion. For example, a Requester from a News Media category is more eligible for a fee waiver than a Requester from a Commercial Organization.
The system provides default Requester Categories. You can also create, edit, and delete Requester Categories as needed.
The default Requester Categories are described below.
Requester Category | Description |
Commercial Organization | Any person that requests information for a use or purpose that furthers a commercial, trade, or profit interest, which can include furthering those interests through litigation. Commercial Requesters are charged fees for the review, search, and duplication of records. |
Educational or Non-Commercial Scientific | Any person making a ATIP request authorized by and made under the auspices of a qualifying institution or non-commercial scientific institution. Records cannot be not sought for commercial use, but rather to further scholarly or scientific research. Educational/Non-Commercial (Scientific) Requesters are charged fees for the duplication of records only. |
Federal Government | Any person belonging to or working for the federal government that may request documents on its behalf. |
News Media | Any person making a ATIP request who actively gathers news for an entity that is organized and operated to publish or broadcast news to the public, and that actively gathers information of potential interest to a segment of the public, uses its editorial skills to turn the raw materials into a distinct work, and distributes that work to an audience. A request for records that supports the news-dissemination function of the Requester shall not be considered to be for a commercial use. Media requesters are charged fees for the duplication of records only. |
Other | Any person making a request that is not a member of the media or an educational institution, and is not making a request for a commercial interest. Such Requesters are charged fees for the search and duplication of records. |
Create Requester Category
Users with the required Permissions can create Requester Categories. Follow the steps below to create a Requester Category:
Click Administration > Request Management > Requester Categories. The Requester Categories screen displays as shown below
Click New. The New Requester Category screen displays as shown below
Enter information in the fields described below per your agency's requirements
Field | Description |
Requester Category Name | The name of the Requester Category. |
Description | A brief description of the Requester Category. |
Show in PAL (Public Access Link) | When selected, enables the Requester Category to be displayed in PAL. Note, this option is only available if the PAL module has been purchased. |
Click Save. A verification message displays
Click OK
Edit Requester Category
Users with the required Permissions can edit Requester Category Details. Follow the steps below to edit a Requester Category:
Click Administration > Request Management > Requester Categories. The Requester Categories screen displays
Select the Requester Category you want to edit, then click Edit. The Edit screen for the selected Requester Category displays
Make any necessary modifications to the Requester Category Details
Click Save. A verification message displays
Click OK
Delete Requester Category
Users with the required Permissions can delete Requester Categories. However, users cannot delete a Requester Category until all Requesters associated with it are deleted. Follow the steps below to delete a Requester Category:
Click Administration > Request Management > Requester Categories. The Requester Categories screen displays
Select the Requester Category you want to delete, then click Delete. A verification message displays
Click OK