What is a FOIA Request?

Last updated: June 10, 2026

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests let you formally request public records from government agencies — like competitor contracts, vendor pricing, purchase orders, and service agreements. Pursuit handles the submission and tracking.


Why FOIA Matters

Government contracts are public records. You can request details about competitors' agreements — what they're charging, the services they provide, contract terms, and renewal dates.

This intelligence helps you craft targeted pitches when competing for an account. If you know the incumbent's pricing and contract expiration, you can position accordingly.


How FOIA requests work in Pursuit

  1. Submit requests — Specify the agency and what documents you want. Pursuit handles formatting and submission.

  2. Receive documents — Fulfilled documents are delivered via Google Drive for viewing and download. They are also accessible on the account page under purchase orders in Pursuit.

See 📄 Submitting and Tracking FOIA Requestsfor the full walkthrough.


Common Request Types

  • Competitor contracts (pricing, scope, terms)

  • Purchase orders for a specific product category

  • Approved vendor lists

  • IT asset inventories

  • Departmental budget allocations


For Admins

FOIA requests are typically priced per request. Check with your CSM about your allocation and pricing for additional requests. Focus your team on high-value accounts where competitive intelligence directly impacts a deal.