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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).

Semiannual Report to Congress

2023
SAR-2023-03
Semiannual Report
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This report summarizes work we initiated and completed during this semiannual period on a number of critical Departmental activities. Over the past 6 months, our office issued 13 products related to our audit, evaluation, and inspection work. These products addressed programs and personnel...

EDA Implemented and Followed the Requirements for Awarding and Disbursing CARES Act Funding Through the Revolving Loan Fund Program

2023
OIG-23-021-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our evaluation of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA’s) plan for the implementation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding through its Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, our objective was to determine whether EDA followed federal and U.S...

Fiscal Year 2022 Compliance with Improper Payment Requirements

2023
OIG-23-020-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on fiscal year (FY) 2022 improper payment reporting, our review objective was to determine the U.S. Department of Commerce's (the Department’s) compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA). To determine FY 2021 compliance, we reviewed the “Payment...

NTIA Took the Necessary Steps to Implement the Requirements for Awarding Funds Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

2023
OIG-23-018-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our evaluation of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA’s) plans for implementation of three new broadband grant programs under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA or the Act), our objective was to determine whether NTIA complied with the requirements...

Maryland Resident Sentenced to Over Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Transporting Firearms with Obliterated Serial Numbers and Smuggling Firearms to Nigeria

Maryland Resident Sentenced to Over Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Transporting Firearms with Obliterated Serial Numbers and Smuggling Firearms to Nigeria
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date

Maryland Resident Sentenced to Over Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Transporting Firearms with Obliterated Serial Numbers and Smuggling Firearms to Nigeria Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Eric Fru Nji, age 42, of Fort Washington, Maryland, to,,,

Audit of the U.S. Census Bureau Working Capital Fund For Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020

2023
OIG-23-016-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on our audit of the U.S. Census Bureau’s (the Bureau’s) working capital fund (WCF) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, our audit objective was to determine whether budgetary controls over the WCF are adequate including whether the Bureau (1) appropriately determines...

Fundamental Deficiencies in OS’ Cybersecurity Incident Response Program Increase the Risk of Cyberattacks

2023
OIG-23-017-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on our evaluation of the Office of the Secretary’s (OS’) incident response program, our objective was to assess the adequacy of actions taken by the U.S. Department of Commerce (the Department) and its bureaus when detecting and responding to cyber incidents in accordance with...

Space Weather Follow-On (SWFO) Program: Rideshare Schedule Presents Challenges and Lack of Backup Option Warrants NOAA Attention

2023
OIG-23-015-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our audit objective was to identify SWFO program challenges that may affect cost, schedule, or overall mission performance and assess the extent to which NOAA is addressing them. To satisfy our objective, we reviewed the SWFO program acquisition strategy, identified challenges in key program...

NIST Must Improve Monitoring of MEP to Prevent Waste of Financial Resources

2023
OIG-23-014-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our objective was to determine the adequacy of National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST’s) oversight of MEP to ensure requirements are met. We found that NIST’s inadequate oversight of Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership has led to inefficient use of financial resources and...

Capstone Report: Effective Reviews Are Needed to Enhance the Security Posture of the Department’s Active Directories

2023
OIG-23-013-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our objective was to identify the remaining Department Active Directories, which have not been reviewed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and summarize past OIG work related to the management of Active Directories. We found that a lack of adequate Active Directory security reviews caused...

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