The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is moving forward with its plans to fully automate the IRS’ Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) response process. The IRS currently receives between 50,000 to 70,000 FOIA and Privacy Act requests each year, and as many as 400 employees participate in the response process.
The FOIA provides access to certain existing government records. The 1996 Electronic Freedom of Information Act (EFOIA) amendments require a more timely and automated interface between the FOIA requestor and the government. The system will be implemented at all IRS disclosure offices throughout the country in Atlanta; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Nashville; and Washington, D.C.
Reston, Va.-based government contractor Vredenburg is building the system for the IRS as a subcontractor to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). Vredenburg’s solution is called VeFOIA and will allow the IRS to more quickly and cost effectively respond to individuals’ requests for information.
“VeFOIA was developed to embrace all of the functions mandated by the FOIA/EFOIA legislation,” said Larry Den, senior vice president of information technology at Vredenburg.
