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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).

Harvey Man Charged With Clean Water Act Violation from 2016 Oil Spill

Harvey Man Charged With Clean Water Act Violation from 2016 Oil Spill
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date

Harvey Man Charged With Clean Water Act Violation from 2016 Oil Spill NEW ORLEANS – The United States Attorney’s Office announced that JAMES TASSIN, age 50, of Harvey, was charged on January 25, 2021with violating the Clean Water Act in connection with an oil spill in 2016. According to the Bill of,,,

Decisions on Exclusions from Section 232 Tariffs Were Not Transparent and Based on Incomplete and Inaccurate Information

2021
OIG-21-020-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final report on the audit of the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS’s) and the International Trade Administration’s (ITA’s) processes and procedures for reviewing and adjudicating product exclusion requests for aluminum and steel tariffs, as prescribed by Presidential Proclamations...

College Of Staten Island Agrees to Settle Claims Related to Research Misconduct

College Of Staten Island Agrees to Settle Claims Related to Research Misconduct
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date

College Of Staten Island Agrees to Settle Claims Related to Research Misconduct The College of Staten Island (“CSI”), a college within the City University of New York (“CUNY”), has agreed to repay $98,237.86 in federal assistance awarded by the United States to perform research with the United,,,

2020 Census Alert: The Census Bureau Faces Challenges in Ensuring Employee Health Safety During 2020 Census Field Operations

2020
OIG-20-046-M
Review
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
Pandemic

OIG issued this 2020 Census Alert due to our concerns—about the Census Bureau’s (Bureau’s) inconsistent implementation of safety procedures to prevent the spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as it completed its 2020 Census operations—that required immediate attention. Based on the number and...

The Department Has Made Progress Meeting Its Responsibilities Under the Geospatial Data Act But Must Improve Controls to Ensure Full Compliance

2021
OIG-21-001-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our audit of the U.S. Department of Commerce's (the Department’s) collection, production, acquisition, maintenance, distribution, use, and preservation of geospatial data, our objective was to assess the Department’s progress toward compliance with the 13 covered agency responsibilities under...

USPTO Should Improve Acquisition Planning and Vendor Performance Management to Prevent Schedule Delays and Unnecessary Costs Related to the SDI-NG Contract

2021
OIG-21-010-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our audit of the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) Software Development and Integration–Next Generation (SDI-NG) contracts, our audit objective was to determine whether USPTO provided adequate oversight of SDI-NG contracts. To address this objective, we specifically assessed whether...

EDA Is Not Fully Complying with All Its Disaster Relief Award Policies

2021
OIG-21-014-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our audit of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA’s) disaster relief grants award administrative processes and oversight efforts, our objective was to determine whether EDA’s process for awarding disaster relief grants to applicants is adequate. Specifically, we focused on whether (1)...

Continued FirstNet Authority Management Attention is Needed to Address Control Environment Weaknesses

2021
OIG-21-016-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our evaluation of the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority’s) actions following our August 2019 management alert, FirstNet Management Altered Contract Requirements Without Authorization -- which was a result of a hotline complaint -- our objective was to assess whether...

EDA Was Effective in Implementing the Requirements for Awarding Funds Under the CARES Act

2021
OIG-21-017-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
Pandemic

This memorandum provides the results of our evaluation of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA’s) plan for the implementation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)1 funding. Our objective was to determine whether EDA implemented and followed the requirements of...

Semiannual Report to Congress, September 2020

2020
SAR-2020-09
Semiannual Report
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This report summarizes work that we initiated and completed during this semiannual period on a number of critical Departmental activities. Over the past 6 months, our office issued 30 products related to our audit, evaluation, and inspection work. These products addressed programs and personnel...

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