FOIA Requests

January 17, 2026

Dear FOIA Officer,

This letter is a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

I request a copy of the following documents, or documents containing the following information.

• Staff Memorandum OD 25-52 (December 2025): Including the full text, all attachments, and any subsequent directives rescinding or modifying the RIF actions.
• NCAR Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) (December 2025 or January 2026): The document (and drafts) outlining the divestment of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputer, the NCAR research aircraft (HIAPER and C-130), and the Mesa Laboratory closure.
• Analytical Reports: Any CBA, RIA, EIA, or Viability Assessments regarding NCAR created by or for the NSF from January 2025 to present.
• OMB Correspondence: All formal directives from the Office of Management and Budget to the NSF regarding the 'Agency Restructuring and Reduction-in-Force Plan' (ARRP) from October 2025 to present.
• UCAR Modifications: Copies of all contract modifications or supplemental agreements between NSF and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) regarding the management of NCAR from October 2025 to present.
• Personnel Records: The formal resignation letter and any "final exit" memorandum issued by Sethuraman Panchanathan on or about April 24, 2025.

Fee Waiver. I request a waiver of all fees for this request. Disclosure of the requested information is intended to enhance the public understanding of recent events related to the proposed NCAR closure. I intend to disseminate this information to the public via news outlets including the Daily Camera to inform the Boulder and scientific communities about these events.

Electronic Format Request Option. I request that the information I seek be provided in electronic format.

Email Contact Option. Please contact me at hello@savencar.org to discuss my request, if necessary.

Sincerely,

Save NCAR