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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).

Review of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sole-Source Contract Awarded to Industrial Economics, Inc. Regarding Gulf Oil Spill Expert Services

2016
OIG-16-036-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This report details the results of our review of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) sole-source contract award to Industrial Economics, Incorporated. On April 20, 2010, an explosion on the British Petroleum (BP) Deepwater Horizon oil well drilling platform released...

USPTO Should Improve Controls Related to Equipment Used by Full-Time Teleworkers

2016
OIG-16-039-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our audit of the effectiveness of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) controls over information technology equipment issued to employees participating in the Patents Hoteling Program (PHP). The objective of our audit was to assess the effectiveness of USPTO’s controls over PHP...

Review of IT Security Policies, Procedures, Practices, and Capabilities in Accordance with the Cybersecurity Act of 2015

2016
OIG-16-040-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The Cybersecurity Act of 2015 (the Act) requires that each office of inspector general (OIG) submit a report to Congress on the national security systems and systems that provide access to personally identifiable information (PII) operated by or on behalf of its department. The objective of this...

CS China Operations Highlight Need to Strengthen ITA Management Controls

2016
OIG-16-041-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final report on OIG’s audit of CS China operations. We conducted this audit as part of our FY 2015 audit plan. Our audit objectives were to (1) assess the roles and responsibilities of Commerce staff components in China and the adequacy of cost-sharing agreements; (2) assess the adequacy...

Successful Cyber Attack Highlights Longstanding Deficiencies in NOAA’s IT Security Program

2016
OIG-16-043-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final report on OIG's audit of NOAA's IT systems in response to a significant cyber attack that took place in September 2014. We conducted this audit to (1) determine the significant factors that contributed to the successful cyber attack on NOAA information systems and (2) evaluate NOAA...

Delinquency Follow-Up Procedures and System Shortcomings Pose Risks for Fisheries Finance Program

2016
OIG-16-046-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our audit report on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Fisheries Finance Program (the Program). The purpose of our audit was to evaluate management’s controls over the Program’s loan approval, monitoring, and debt collection...

Review of the Sustainability of Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Comprehensive Community Infrastructure Awards

2016
OIG-16-047-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

OIG contracted with BCA Watson Rice LLP (BCA) to assist in reporting on sustainability features of Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (Infrastructure) grants awarded, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The...

Follow-up Audit on Recommendations from Audit Report No. OIG-13-031-A, Classified Information Policies and Practices at the Department of Commerce Need Improvement

2016
OIG-16-048-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The first evaluation was completed by September 30, 2013; a second, to be completed by September 30, 2016, was to review progress made after the first. Our audit objective was to determine whether the Department took appropriate corrective actions on recommendations made in OIG’s 2013 report.

Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce

2016
OIG-16-049
Top Management Challenges
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final report on the Department of Commerce’s top management and performance challenges for fiscal year (FY) 2017. We have aligned our report with the Department’s FYs 2014–2018 Strategic Plan—and, within each of the plan’s strategic goals, we discuss the challenges we have identified...

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