Finding the Ultimate FOIA Solution for Government Agencies

Each year, Sunshine Week serves as a reminder of the critical role that transparency plays in the government. However, for many federal agencies, keeping up with requests is a challenge that grows year after year. 

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) empowers citizens to access government records, shedding light on how their tax dollars are spent, how decisions are made, and how agencies are performing. But it can be a nightmare for federal agencies tasked with a record-high number of requests — the U.S. Department of Justice reported a record-high 1.2 million FOIA requests in fiscal year 2023, a 29% increase from the previous year.

Manual processing methods and legacy systems are sinking federal agencies into a sea of records. Juggling a separate eDiscovery platform only adds to the chaos. Of course, the burden of FOIA isn’t just paperwork. Clunky workflows, exorbitant costs, and processing delays become unwelcome companions. It all totals up to countless hours wasted on tedious tasks, the risk of appeals, and litigation due to redaction errors, and missed deadlines that can erode public trust. Imagine the frustration of citizens waiting months for basic information, while agency staff drown in emails, spreadsheets, and outdated software.

As we recognize Sunshine Week, let’s also recognize the public servants working behind the scenes to uphold transparency. If you have FOIA requests waiting in your inbox, now’s the perfect time to take action and help ensure government information stays accessible to the people it serves.

There’s a Better Way to Deal With FOIA Requests

At OPEXUS + Casepoint, we’ve been paying close attention to the FOIA landscape and listening to our agency partners share how they believe the process should work. Their input has been instrumental in our FOIA solution — in its development as well as its evolution.

The tool is more than just the latest FOIA management software — it’s a complete transformation of how agencies handle FOIA requests. We have merged FOIA workflow tracking and management, a client portal, and compliance reporting with the power of our end-to-end eDiscovery platform — eliminating the need for either a limited-capability legacy solution or multiple solutions. Our solution is built on Casepoint’s FedRAMP Authorized cloud platform.

Get to know the future of FOIA.

From Drowning in Requests to Streamlined Success

No more clunky tools and multiple systems — our all-in-one solution simplifies the FOIA journey. It provides agencies an enterprise-grade arsenal to achieve:

• Faster Processing Times
  Make sure requesters receive records promptly, and never sweat another deadline.

• Centralized Communication
  Manage communication with requesters and internal and external stakeholders — all in one place.

• Streamlined Workflows
  Monitor the entire lifecycle of FOIA requests — those pending, in progress, and completed — in real time, keeping everyone apprised.

• Quick and Comprehensive Reporting
  Easily provide required DOJ reporting and leverage configurable and out-of-the-box reporting for ultimate transparency into your agency’s activities and accomplishments.

Manage Every Part of the FOIA Process

Our solution includes a FOIA Portal for requesters, which is connected to a configurable tracking application, seamlessly integrated with Casepoint's powerful platform with review, analytics, and redaction capabilities. Here’s just some of what you can do:

✔ Automatically Access Requests
Because the requester portal connects to the tracking application, requests made by the public automatically populate the agency’s queue.

✔ Review and Organize Records
Conduct thorough reviews of records ingested into the platform to assess relevance.

✔ Categorize and Tag Documents
Group and tag documents with relevant metadata to expedite retrieval and reference. 

✔ Set Up Automated Notifications
Save time and eliminate a manual step by sending automatic updates right from the platform.

✔ Apply AI-Powered Redactions
Leverage AI-powered redactions with robust quality controls to ensure accuracy and prevent appeals.

✔ Create a FOIA Reading Room
Establish and update a public repository of released documents for future requests to avoid producing the same documents again and again.

✔ Generate Reports
Monitor your agency’s FOIA requests and effortlessly compile compliance reports.

Leave the Old FOIA Process Behind

Cut ties with the old way of managing FOIA and public records requests. With our all-in-one FOIA solution, your agency will be freed from:

✘ Messy Workflows
Experience a streamlined, centralized hub, where every step of the FOIA journey flows seamlessly.

✘ Manual Email Notifications
Send automated notifications from within the platform to keep everyone informed in real time.

✘ Limited Collaboration
Break down the silos of information and fragmented communication.

✘ Restricted Customization
Configure the tool to your agency’s unique needs and workflows.

✘ Backlogs and Delays
Tackle backlogs head-on by facilitating the efficient processing of requests — thereby building trust and satisfaction with the public.

Experience the Future of FOIA Management

Ready to move beyond the fragmented chaos of legacy FOIA request management software? Our FOIA solution integrates request tracking, review, redaction, reporting, billing, and response delivery into a unified, intuitive interface. This centralized hub sets a new standard for federal agencies — a configurable, all-in-one system that consolidates the request process and reimagines FOIA workflows.

Join the ranks and experience unmatched efficiency in FOIA management. It’s time to navigate the sea of FOIA requests with confidence and ease.

Want to see it in action? Contact our government team today.