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Abbreviation
DOC
Agencies
Department of Commerce
Federal Agency
Yes
Location

United States

What to Report to the OIG Hotline
Commerce OIG maintains a Hotline for receiving allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, or gross mismanagement in the Department of Commerce’s programs and operations, including any organization or entity receiving Departmental funds. The following is a list of examples of types of allegations that should be reported:
  • Contract and grant fraud
  • Environmental, health, and safety violations
  • Computer crimes (including internet pornography)
  • Product substitution and suspect/counterfeit parts
  • Bribery, kickbacks, and gratuities
  • False statements and false claims
  • Conflicts of interest and ethics violations
  • Travel fraud
  • Theft or abuse of government property
  • Gross mismanagement of funds
  • Other violations of federal laws and regulations
In addition, if you suspect that you have been retaliated against for whistleblowing, you may contact the Commerce OIG Hotline or the Office of Special Counsel.
What Not to Report to the OIG Hotline
Certain matters are better resolved through other channels, instead of the Commerce OIG Hotline. The following matters are NOT generally investigated by Commerce OIG:
  • 911 emergencies regarding a Departmental facility or operation. Report to the local or state law enforcement authorities and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Security.
  • Complaints of EEO discrimination and retaliation. Report to the Department of Commerce’s Office of Civil Rights.
  • Personal theft. Report to Department of Commerce’s Office of Security.
  • Personnel matters involving requests for individual relief. Report to the servicing Office of Human Resources Management.
  • Employment related grievances or complaints against management officials unless part of a whistleblower claim. Report to the servicing Office of Human Resources Management.
  • Assistance with the U.S. patent application process (e.g., initial filing, patent examination, and post-examination) and case prosecution concerns (e.g., claim objections, after-final practice, claim rejections and restrictions). Contact the Patents Ombudsman Office (https://www.uspto.gov/patent/ombudsman-program).

The Census Bureau Should Address Challenges from the 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey Ahead of the 2030 Census

2025
OIG-25-015-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our audit of the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) results, our objective was to assess the validity of those results as they related to overcounts and undercounts. We found that I. Operational disruptions and mitigations in response to missing data increased uncertainty in...

The Census Bureau Did Not Develop a Workforce Plan to Address Field Representative Staffing Gaps

2025
OIG-25-013-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our evaluation of the Census Bureau’s recruitment, hiring, and retention of field representatives (FRs), our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies the bureau uses to support its recruitment, hiring, and retention of employees in mission-critical positions. Specifically...

OIG's Evaluation of MEP's Economic Impact Reporting Process Also Identified Instances of Noncompliance at Centers, Led to NIST Action

2025
OIG-25-011-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a national network of 51 MEP Centers—in all 50 states and Puerto Rico—providing any U.S. manufacturer with resources to improve production processes, upgrade technological capabilities...

The National Weather Service Should Further Strengthen Its Protection of Essential Operational Technology

2025
OIG-25-012-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our evaluation of the National Weather Service's (NWS's) protection of operational technology (OT), our objective was to determine whether NWS has implemented effective security controls for its critical OT. We found that I. NWS did not implement strong credential management for some OT systems...

NOAA Should Assess Opportunities to Improve Hurricane Forecasts and Warnings

2025
OIG-25-007-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our audit on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Weather Service (NWS) hurricane forecast and warning performance, our audit objective was to assess NWS progress toward improving hurricane forecasts and warnings. We found that NWS has made progress improving...

Data Quality Challenges and Ineffective Program Management Hinder the Department’s Enterprise Cybersecurity Capabilities

2025
OIG-25-006-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our audit of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (the Department’s) Enterprise Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (ECDM) program, our objective was to assess the effectiveness of the program. To address this objective, we assessed data quality, data security, and aspects of program management...

Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network Was Not Always Available to First Responders During the Catastrophic 2023 Maui Wildfires

2025
OIG-25-004-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our audit objective was to assess the First Responder Network Authority’s Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network services in response to the devastating wildfires that broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui in August 2023. We focused on AT&T’s operational response, FirstNet Authority’s...

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