Federal Record

They are made or received by APHIS under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business; and

They are preserved or are appropriate for preservation as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the Government or because of the informational value of data in them.

Federal records include:

• Traditional documentation: meeting minutes, directives, forms, correspondence, case and subject files
• Memorandum for the record summarizing informal meetings, discussions, and telephone calls
• Record set of agency publications
• Audiovisual records, including posters, dealing with agency functions and activities
• Cartographic, architectural, and engineering records produced by an agency and indexes

It also includes:

• Individual personnel folders
• Working papers/files that contain unique information on an agency’s policies or decisions
• Final plans and “as built” drawings
• Databases that contain information on socioeconomic topics such as trade, education, health, or behavior
• E-mail and attachments transmitted in conducting agency business