ASC PROCESS
for
CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Process Owner: ASC/CA
Ms. Beverly Wilker
Date: June 2010
Version: 1.0
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ASC CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY
PROCESS DOCUMENTATION
1.0 Process Definition:
1.1 ASC/CA will be the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for all responses to nonInspector General (IG) Congressional inquiries. This type of inquiry received by any ASC unit,
regardless of source, will be immediately reported to ASC/CA. ASC/CA will determine if an
inquiry is routine, informal contact that can be responded to directly, or if formal, coordinated
response is required. ASC/CA will determine the appropriate office, individual, or unit to
construct the response. The ASC/CV office will be the alternate office for incoming inquiries for
ASC/CA. Each ASC organization will have an office responsible for tracking and monitoring
all Congressional inquiries.
2.0 Purpose and Scope:
2.1 It is imperative that the Air Force present a consistent and coordinated message
whenever engaging with Congress. Per AF 90-401, Air Force Relations with Congress, SAF/LL
and SAF/FML handles all relations, including inquiries from Congress, the Executive Office of
the President and Vice President, the Office of Secretary of Defense and other governmental
agencies.
2.2 HQ AFMC/CCX-LL is the AFMC OPR for all responses to Congressional inquiries,
except those sanctioned by AFI 90-301, IG complaints. AFMC (reference AFMC Supplement, 7
Oct 09) will coordinate directly with SAF/LL or AFMC/IG to ensure higher headquarters is
notified, as appropriate, of new Congressional inquiries.
2.3 Congressional matters can be identified as one of two types: Legislative issues or
Congressional inquiries involving personnel-related concerns. Congressional inquiries could
involve Congressional visits to discuss both programmatic and/or base issues. The AFI 90-401
and related AFMC supplement, identify roles and responsibilities associated with Congress.
These responsibilities are primarily related to programmatic legislative issues or issues that have
broad application to the mission of AFMC. Program issues are the responsibility of
AFMC/CCX-LL and those organizations designated as the Legislative Liaison at our
installations. ASC will communicate clearly and openly with Congress, and our responses will
be consistent with AF and AFMC positions.
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3.0 Process Description:
3.1 Indirect Taskings: SAF/LL to Air Staff to HQ AFMC to ASC/CA to ASC Unit:
ASC/CA will track and report on all responses, through the ASC Congressional Workflow box,
and with the SOCCER system to ensure the timeliness of responses – normally due within 5
days. Both ASC/CS and ASC/CCX will assist in tracking the inquiry. When a complete
response is not possible, an interim response acknowledging the inquiry will be sent and an
extension requested thru ASC/CA.
3.1.1 Single Inquiry (PEO or Functional): If a single inquiry is tasked to an
Air Force Program Executive Officer (PEO) from an outside agency, the PEO will be the
approving authority and will provide an appropriate copy to the ASC Commander through
ASC/CA. The Program Execution Group (ASC/CCX) will assist ASC/CA in receiving inquiry
responses through SOCCER. If a single inquiry is tasked to the Center Senior Functionals
(CSFs), they will report it immediately to ASC/CA and have their response approved at the
Center Command level. NOTE: for programs receiving inquiries under the AFPEO/AC
portfolio, the program manager will notify their ASC Unit Director (ASC/WL; ASC/WW;
ASC/WN; ASC/WI; or ASC/WK) of the inquiry, courtesy copy the Director on the proposed
response, and provide them a copy of the response approved by AFPEO/AC. (Figure 1)
3.1.2 Multiple PEO Inquiries: If a multiple-PEO inquiry comes in, the
appropriate PEO will be the approving authority for their portfolio and provide a copy to both
ASC/CA and ASC/CCX. ASC/CCX will consolidate a package of PEOs’ responses and
provide info copy to ASC/CC through ASC/CA. (refer to Figure 1 as Single PEO response)
3.1.3 Multiple CSFs Inquiries: If a multiple functional inquiry comes in,
ASC/CA will track in SOCCER. ASC/CCX will consolidate the final response and provide to
ASC/CA/CV for coordination and to ASC/CC for approval. (Figure 2)
3.1.4 The unit tasked to formulate the response is responsible for ensuring it is
prepared, staffed, and ready for approval or signature with 5 working days. All responses should
be complete, accurate and directly address the issues of concerns. The 88 ABW/JA (legal) will
need to review and coordinate on the responses, as appropriate.
3.2 Direct Taskings: All direct inquiries will be reported to ASC/CA from outside
units and customers.
3.2.1 PEOs: Inquiries or taskings directly going to the PEOs pertaining to
acquisition chain authority and execution do not have to be coordinated through HQ AFMC and
can be approved at their level. However, PEO chain inquiries from the SECAF, CSAF, VCSAF
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and AVCSAF should be answered directly and a copy provided to ASC/CC through ASC/CA.
ASC/CA will notify HQ AFMC, as appropriate.
3.2.2 Center Functionals: Inquiries or taskings directly coming to the
functionals from outside units, will be reported directly to ASC/CA. ASC/CA will log into the
data base, assign and track. Inquiries will require ASC/CC approval, or in his absence the
appropriate ASC Command representative.
3.2.3 88 Air Base Wing Command (88 ABW/CC): As host installation
Commander, the 88 ABW/CC is responsible for complying with the provisions of AFI-90-401 as
supplemented by AFMC. The 88 ABW/CC has designated 88 ABW/IG as the OPR for
Congressional activities. All inquiries coming into the ABW will be reported directly to
ASC/CA. The 88 ABW/CC will approve all installation inquiries, and the Director of Civilian
Personnel (88 FSS/FSM) will approve all personnel inquiries with a copy to ASC/CC through
ASC/CA. The 88 ABW/CCX receives all Congressional visits to Wright-Patterson and informs
ASC/CC through ASC/CA. The appropriate tenants are tasked and worked accordingly. Air
Force officials must protect personal information about all base employees according to the
guidelines of the Privacy Act. (Figures 3 & 4)
3.2.4 88 Air Base Wing Public Affairs (88 ABW/PA): All units will inform 88
ABW/PA of actions on Congressional requests for information that have potential public
relations implications. The Secretary of the Air Force has designated the Office of Security
Review (SAF/PAS) as the approval authority for release of classified information to Congress.
Refer Congressional requests for classified information to SAF/PAS through SAF/LL or
SAF/FML. Air Force officials must not disclose classified information to the Congress for
release to a Congressional constituent. Refer to AFI-37-131 for exception. When the Air Force
takes photographs during a Congressional visit, the host-field organization must send copies of
5x7 inch glossy prints, with captions, to SAF/LL or SAF/FML, within 72 hours after they are
developed.
3.3. Congressional Flow Charts: below are the illustrations on the flow of the
Congressional process for ASC and the 88 ABW whether it be direct or an indirect tasking.
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Note: Customer definition: Customer is anyone outside of ASC, to include notifications directly
to PEOs from Congressional Staffers, SAF/AQ, etc. The PEOs will begin working their inquiry
directly with their SAF/AQ staff members and, at the same time, notify ASC/CA to begin the
tracking process.
Figure 1
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Figure 2
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Figure 3
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Figure 4
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4.0 Process Audit:
4.1 All Congressional records are open for audit by the Inspector General’s office at any time.
Each office of record will maintain their files using the Table 90-04 R 02.00 for Congressional
inquiries. The official records kept below the HQ USAF level consists of non-routine inquiries
and replies relating to or involving AF policy, procedures, plans, classified information and other
matters of importance. This also includes changes in status or location of AF organizations,
activities or installations, production facilities, major procurement or allied matters. Each office
of record files a disposition to destroy inquiries and replies after 5 years. For electronic systems
that replace temporary hard copy records, destroy on expiration of the retention period
previously approved for the corresponding hard copy records.
4.2 All inquiries will be measured for timeliness through the SOCCER tracking system. The
goal for ASC is 94% and ASC/CS will report this metric monthly in the ASC Commander’s
Staff meeting.
RECORD OF CHANGES
Version
1.0
Effective Date
June 2010
Summary
Basic Document
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