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Website
https://www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/default.aspx
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).
Hotline Page
https://www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/Online-Hotline-Complaint-Form.aspx
Whistleblower Protection Page
https://www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/Hotline.aspx

The Department Mismanaged, Neglected, and Wasted Money on the Implementation of IT Security Requirements for Its National Security Systems

2022
OIG-22-023-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our evaluation objective was to determine whether the Department and its bureaus are managing national security systems in compliance with federal and Departmental information technology security requirements.We found the following:I. The Department mismanaged and neglected information technology...

The Census Bureau Needs to Improve Management and Oversight of Vetting Employees to Avoid Hiring Unsuitable Individuals for Federal Employment

2022
OIG-22-021-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our evaluation was conducted as part of a series of reviews to determine whether the Bureau’s planning and execution of 2020 Census peak operations successfully reduced the risk to decennial census data quality and costs. Overall, we found that the Bureau continues to face longstanding challenges in...

Fiscal Year 2021 Compliance with Improper Payment Requirements

2022
OIG-22-024-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on fiscal year (FY) 2021 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...

Fiscal Year 2019 Compliance with Improper Payment Requirements

2020
OIG-20-029-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on fiscal year (FY) 2019 improper payment reporting, our review objective was to determine the U.S. Department of Commerce's (the Department’s) FY 2019 compliance with the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 (IPIA), as amended. In determining compliance, we also evaluated...

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Fined $1 Million For Causing Oil Spill

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Fined $1 Million For Causing Oil Spill
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Fined $1 Million For Causing Oil Spill NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK COMPANY, LLC (“ GREAT LAKES”), a Texas company, was sentenced on June 14, 2022 for violating the Clean Water Act in connection with an,,,

The Inspector General’s March 2022 Semiannual Report to Congress

2022
SAR-2022-03
Semiannual Report
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This report summarizes work that OIG initiated and completed during this semiannual period ending March 31, 2022, on a number of critical Departmental activities. Over the past 6 months—in addition to issuing OIG's annual "Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce"...

NOAA Inadequately Managed Its Active Directories That Support Critical Missions

2022
OIG-22-018-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on the audit of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) management of its Active Directories, our audit objective was to determine whether NOAA has adequately managed its Active Directories to protect mission critical systems and data. To address this...

The Department Needs to Improve Its System Security Assessment and Continuous Monitoring Program to Ensure Security Controls Are Consistently Implemented and Effective

2022
OIG-22-017-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on our audit of the U.S. Department of Commerce's (the Department's) system security assessment process, our objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department's system security assessment and continuous monitoring program to ensure security deficiencies were identified...

Redesigned GOES-T is Ready for Launch, but NOAA Should Reassess Its Assumptions for Satellite Launch Planning and Storage

2022
OIG-22-015-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on our audit of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES)–R series program (the Program), our objective was to assess the Program’s progress in achieving launch readiness for the GOES-T mission. To satisfy our...

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