(a) Initial action for access.

(1) NACIC components tasked pursuant to a FOIA request shall search all relevant record systems within their cognizance. They shall:

(i) Determine whether a record exists;

(ii) Determine whether and to what extent any FOIA exemptions apply;

(iii) Approve the disclosure of all non-exempt records or portions of records for which they are the originator; and

(iv) Forward to the Coordinator all records approved for release or necessary for coordination with or referral to another originator or interested party.

(2) In making these decisions, the NACIC component officers shall be guided by the applicable law as well as the procedures specified at §1800.31 and §1800.32 regarding confidential commercial information and personal information (about persons other than the requester).

(b) Referrals and coordinations. As applicable and within twenty (20) days, pursuant to the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996, of receipt by the Coordinator, any NACIC records containing information originated by other NACIC components shall be forwarded to those entities for action in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section and return. Records originated by other federal agencies or NACIC records containing other federal agency information shall be forwarded to such agencies within twenty (20) days of our completion of initial action in the case for action under their regulations and direct response to the requester (for other agency records) or return to NACIC (for NACIC records).