NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY CENTRAL SECURITY SERVICE FORT GEORGE s. MEADE, MARYLAND 20755-6000 FOIA Case: 84456A 4 August 2017 MUCKROCK DEPT MR 24785 411A HIGHLAND AVE SOMERVILLE, MA 02 144?25 16 Dear Mr. Mitch: This responds to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request of 27 March 2016, which was received by this of?ce on 12 May 2016, for ?Copies of any and all contracts between the NSA and Linchpin Labs, and any ?nal reports generated and delivered by Linchpin Labs to the NSA over the past 10 years. Linchpin Labs "is a custom software development company with locations in Australia, Canada, UK and the according to the company's website, which can be found here: http: As previously provided, your request has been assigned Case Number 84456. There are no assessable fees for this request; therefore, we did not address your fee category. Your request has been processed under the provisions of the FOIA. Your request has been reviewed by this Agency as required by the FOIA, and is being fully denied in accordance with Executive Order 13526, as set forth in Subparagraphs and of Section 1.4. This request is denied because disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause damage (at minimum) to the national security, per Executive Order 13526, Section 1.2. Any responsive material that may exist would be deemed currently and properly protected; therefore, exempt from disclosure pursuant to the ?rst exemption of the FOIA (5 U.S.C. Section In addition, this Agency is authorized by various statutes to protect certain information concerning its activities. Accordingly, your request is also denied pursuant to the third exemption of the FOIA, which provides for the withholding of information speci?cally protected from disclosure by statute. The speci?c statute applicable in this case is Section 6, Public Law 86?36 (50 U.S. Code 3605). No portion of any responsive material is reasonably segregable. Please be advised that due to changing security concerns, this is now our standard response to all requests where we reasonably believe acquisition records are being sought on a contract or contract related activity. The FOIA of?ce has not conducted any sort of search to determine whether or not records exist. You may appeal this decision. If you decide to appeal, you should do so in the manner outlined below. FOIA Case: 84456A The appeal must be sent via US. postal mail, fax or electronic delivery (e-mail) and addressed to: CSS FOIA PA Appeal Authority (P132) National Security Agency 9800 Savage Road STE 6932 Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755?6932 The facsimile number is (443)479-3612 The appropriate email address to submit an appeal is gov It must be postmarked or delivered electronically no later than 90 calendar days from the date of this letter. Decisions appealed after 90 days will not be addressed. Please include the case number provided above. 0 Please describe with suf?cient detail why you believe the denial of requested information was unwarranted. NSA will endeavor to respond within 20 working days of receiving your appeal, absent any unusual circumstances. You may also contact our FOIA Public Liaison at foialo?nsa.gov for any further assistance and to discuss any aspect of your request. Additionally, you may contact the Of?ce of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. The contact information for OGIS is as follows: Of?ce of Government Information Services National Archives and Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Rd OGIS College Park, MD 20740 ogichnaragov (87 7)684-6448 (202)741?5770 Fax (202)741-5769 Sincerely, WP JOHN R. CHAPMAN Chief, PA Of?ce NSA Initial Denial Authority