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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).

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...

USPTO Should Address Risks to Its Pendency Reduction Efforts for Trademark Applications

2025
OIG-25-002-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on our audit of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) management of trademark pendency, our objective was to determine whether USPTO exercised effective oversight and management of trademark pendency. Specifically, we assessed USPTO’s development, monitoring...

Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce in FY 2025

2025
OIG-25-001
Top Management Challenges
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This report summarizes the following top management and performance challenges facing the Department of Commerce in FY 2025: (I) Modernizing Technology and Systems (Maximizing Cybersecurity and IT Security, Modernizing IT Systems and Operations, and Integrating AI and Other Emerging Technologies...

A Lack of Program Management Controls and Attention to IT Security Threatens the Success of NOAA’s Effort to Implement a Cloud-Based Common Ground System

2024
OIG-24-034-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) provides access to global environmental data from satellites and other sources. Current NESDIS ground systems process data from NOAA and non-NOAA satellites and...

NIST Overstated MEP’s Economic Impacts to Congress and Other Stakeholders

2024
OIG-24-037-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...

BIS’ Export License Approval Process Reduces Risk of Threats from China’s Military-Civilian Fusion Strategy, but BIS Should Take Additional Steps to Mitigate Risks of Unauthorized Technology Release to China’s Military

2024
OIG-24-036-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

We conducted this audit to assess the adequacy of the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS’) efforts to reduce the risk of threats from China’s Military-Civilian Fusion strategy. We specifically reviewed BIS’ process for approving export license applications, as well as its response to a related...

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