Retention of Fees Received by EPA Contractors Providing Information Services to the Public

Views were requested concerning the furnishing of environmental-related information stored in contractor-operated information handling systems to non-Federal requesters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not precluded from offering to the requesters the alternative of dealing directly with the contractors. Contractors who fill such requests for information are acting as independent entrepreneurs and are entitled to assess and retain fees charged for their services.