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Information Quality

About Quality of Information

In compliance with the requirement of the USDA Information Quality Guidelines, this page provides information pertaining to requests for correction of information disseminated by FSA.

The USDA Information Quality Guidelines correction mechanisms are not intended to imply any rights of individuals to request amendment of their own records beyond those permitted by the Privacy Act of 1974 or other organization specific laws.


Where to Submit a Formal Request for Correction

All requests for correction of FSA information must be submitted by letter, fax, or email to:

Quality of Information Officer
USDA/FSA, Room 3086-South
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250

E-MAIL: askfsa@custhelp.com
FAX: (202) 720-8254

Peer Review Officer
Ed Rall, Acting Director
Economic and Policy Staff


No Agenda of Forthcoming Highly Influential Scientific Assessments

Based on the review it has conducted, at this time FSA has no agenda of forthcoming highly influential scientific assessments to post on its website in accordance with OMB's Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review.


Information Requirements

This guidance for the content of requests for correction of information is not intended to constitute a set of legally binding requirements. However, FSA may be unable to process, in a timely fashion or at all, requests that omit one or more of the requested elements. Requesters bear the "burden of proof" with respect to the necessity for correction as well as with respect to the type of correction they seek. FSA will base its decision on the merits of the information provided by the requester.

Requests for correction of information should include the following elements:

Statement that the Request for Correction of Information is Submitted Under USDA's Information Quality Guidelines

Requester Contact Information

The name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number (if any), email address (if any), and organizational affiliation (if any) of the person requesting the correction.

Description of Information to Correct

The name of the FSA publication, report, or data product; the date of issuance or other identifying information such as the URL of the web page; and a detailed description that clearly identifies the specific information contained in that publication, report, or data product for which a correction is being sought.

Explanation of Noncompliance with OMB and/or USDA Information Quality Guidelines

An explanation that describes how the information fails to meet either the OMB or USDA Information Quality Guidelines.

Explanation of the Effect of the Alleged Error

An explanation that describes the requester's use of the information in question and how the requester is affected by the alleged error.

Recommendation and Justification for How the Information Should Be Corrected

The requester should state specifically how the information should be corrected and explain why the corrections should be made. A request for correction that is specific and provides evidence to support the need for correction is likely to be more persuasive than a request that is general, unfocused, or that simply indicates disagreement with the information in question.

Requesters seeking a correction should follow the procedure described at: http://www.ocio.usda.gov/policy-directives-records-forms/guidelines-quality-information/correction-information


Privacy Act Statement

USDA is authorized to obtain certain information under Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law No. 106-554, codified at 44 U.S.C. 3516, note). Information is needed by USDA to process the request for correction and allow USDA to reply accordingly. This information is needed by USDA to respond to the requester and initiate follow-up contact with the requester if required. Requesters should not send USDA their Social Security Number. Requesters are advised that they do not have to furnish the information but failure to do so may prevent their request from being processed. The information requesters furnish is almost never used for any purpose other than to process and respond to their request. However, USDA may disclose information to a congressional office in response to an inquiry made on behalf of the requester, to the Department of Justice, a court, other tribunal when the information is relevant and necessary to litigation, or to a contractor or another Federal agency to help accomplish a function related to this process.