[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 14, Volume 5, Parts 1200 to end]
[Revised as of January 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 14CFR1206.608]

[Page 61]
 
                     TITLE 14--AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
 
                          SPACE ADMINISTRATION
 
PART 1206--AVAILABILITY OF AGENCY RECORDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC--Table of Contents
 
                          Subpart 6--Procedures
 
Sec. 1206.608  Time extensions in unusual circumstances.

    (a) In ``unusual circumstances'' as that term is defined in 
Sec. 1206.101(f), the time limits for an initial determination (see 
Sec. 1206.603 and Sec. 1206.604) and for a final determination (see 
Sec. 1206.607) may be extended, but not to exceed a total of 10 working 
days in the aggregate in the processing of any specific request for an 
Agency record.
    (b) If an extension of time under this section would be required, 
the requester shall be promptly notified of the reasons therefor and the 
date when a determination will be sent.
    (c) If a record described in a request cannot be located within the 
20-working-day time limit for an initial determination, after 
consultation with a professional NASA employee who is familiar with the 
subject area of the request, that fact normally will justify an initial 
determination that the record requested cannot be identified or located, 
rather than a decision that an extension of time under this section 
would be appropriate.
    (d) In exceptional circumstances, if it would be impossible to 
complete a search for or review of Agency records within the 20-working-
day period for an initial determination, an official authorized to make 
an initial determination or the designee may seek an extension of time 
from the requester. If such an extension of time can be agreed upon, 
that fact should be clearly documented and the initial determination 
made within the extended time period; if not, an initial determination 
that the record cannot be identified or located, or reviewed, within the 
20-working-day time limit shall be made under Sec. 1206.603. 
``Exceptional circumstances'' do not include a delay that results from a 
predictable Agency workload of requests unless the Agency demonstrates 
reasonable progress in reducing its backlog of pending requests. Refusal 
by the requester to reasonably modify the scope of a request or arrange 
an alternative time frame for processing the request shall be considered 
as a factor in determining whether exceptional circumstances exist.