Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Charged Causing 2016 Oil Spill
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
Logo
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
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).
Whistleblower Protection Page
Management Alert: Business Application Solution's Program’s Focus on Technology May Overlook Risks Related to Business Processes
2021
OIG-21-023-M
Review
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
This is a management alert on the Business Applications Solution (BAS) program’s approach to business process reengineering, which requires immediate attention, given that the program is in a crucial design phase of the overall effort. The BAS program seeks to modernize the U.S. Department of...
Harvey Man Pleads Guilty to Clean Water Act Violation From 2016 Oil Spill
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service 2018 Officer Promotion Process Did Not Comply With Applicable Criteria
2021
OIG-21-021-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
For our evaluation of the International Trade Administration’s (ITA’s) U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service’s (US&FCS’s) officer promotion process, our objective was to determine whether US&FCS adhered to applicable laws, regulations, and policies when conducting the 2018 officer promotion process. We...
Harvey Man Charged With Clean Water Act Violation from 2016 Oil Spill
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
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
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
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...