What is “CUI//ADPO” and why is it on top of my email from the ADR Office?
“CUI” stands for “Controlled Unclassified Information, which is a document or communication that is sensitive, but unclassified, and needs to be safeguarded and disseminated differently than other documents based on a law, regulation, or government-wide policy. CUI is formerly known as “Official Use Only” or “OUO” information. CUI must be appropriately marked on all applicable documents across the entirety of the Executive branch. See here to learn more information regarding CUI.
“ADPO” is short for “Administrative Proceedings,” a category of CUI identified as anything relating to “Adjudication of agency-related matters including, but not limited to, dispute resolution, settlements, and issuances of orders.” For more information regarding the ADPO category and authorities relating to it, see here.
When we at the ADR Office are communicating with anybody who has requested ADR services, we keep all those communications absolutely confidential. Under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act, all “dispute resolution communications” must be kept confidential. We take our responsibilities under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act extremely seriously, and confidentiality is a central, principal value. Except in extreme cases such as probable harm to public health or safety, we will never share communications between us and an ADR participant, or information regarding ADR services sought or provided, with anybody outside of the ADR Office. Under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act, dispute resolution communications are explicitly not subject to FOIA, and we do not keep any information regarding the services we provide within a system of records, so they are not subject to the Privacy Act.
So, when you see the “CUI//ADPO” marking on an email from us, consider it a reminder of our promise to you that everything we talk about, whether it be via email, phone call, or in-person, is always kept absolutely confidential.