I-1-5-3. Division of Congressional and Public Inquiries Processing

A. Oral Inquiries Generally

When the Division of Congressional and Public Inquiries (DCPI) receives an oral litigation-related inquiry, whether from a claimant, representative, congressional office, or other member of the public, DCPI will ask the caller to submit a written inquiry and send it to the OPPE Director at the address in I-1-5-2. If the caller objects to submitting a written inquiry, DCPI may, if necessary, refer the caller to the OPPE Director at the telephone number in I-1-5-2. Regardless of whether the caller expresses an intent to submit a written inquiry or is referred to the OPPE Director, DCPI will make a written report of contact containing the information listed in I-1-5-2 C. and immediately hand carry the written report of contact to the OPPE Director.

B. Oral or Written Inquiries Concerning Pending Cases

When DCPI receives an oral or written litigation-related inquiry that relates to a pending case, DCPI will:

1. when the case is pending in OHA Headquarters, immediately hand deliver the written report of contact or written inquiry to the Executive Director, Office of Appellate Operations (OAO); or

2. when the case is pending in a hearing office (HO), immediately telephone the Hearing Office Director (HOD) to advise him or her of the inquiry and fax a copy of the written report of contact or written inquiry to the HOD's attention; and

3. hand-deliver to the OPPE Director an informational copy of all litigation-related inquiries referred to OAO or an HO.