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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

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite–R Series: Program Success Requires Added Attention to Oversight, Risk Management, Requirements, and the Life-Cycle Cost Estimate

2019
OIG-19-022-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our primary objective was to assess the adequacy of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites-R (GOES-R) program’s satellite development and testing, and the transition of launched satellites into operations. Our second objective was to monitor the program’s progress on contracting...

Audit of NOAA Financial Assistance Awards to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission

2019
OIG-19-021-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The objectives of our audit were to determine whether the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (1) claimed costs that are allowable, allocable, and reasonable; (2) complied with award terms and conditions as well as administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements of federal...

FirstNet Has Opportunities to Address Control Weaknesses

2019
OIG-19-019-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This final report provides the results of our audit to assess the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet’s) oversight of the contract awarded to develop and implement the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. Our audit objective was to determine whether FirstNet properly administered...

USPTO Could Improve Oversight Practices to Close Out Contract Files by Complying with Acquisition Regulations and Policies

2019
OIG-19-018-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our audit objective was to determine whether the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office contracting personnel administered contract closeout procedures in accordance with federal and Departmental policy and regulations.

Inadequate Management of Active Directory Puts USPTO's Mission at Significant Cyber Risk

2019
OIG-19-014-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our audit objective was to determine whether the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has adequately managed its Active Directory to protect mission critical systems and data. Our review focused on fundamental security practices of Active Directory management and security control implementations of the...

Semiannual Report to Congress, March 2019

2019
SAR-2019-03
Semiannual Report
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This report summarizes work that we initiated and completed during this semiannual period on a number of critical Departmental activities. Over the past 6 months—in addition to issuing our annual Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce—our office issued 10 audit...

Fiscal Year 2018 Compliance with Improper Payment Requirements

2019
OIG-19-013-I
Review
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

We conducted this review to determine the Department’s FY 2018 compliance with Improper Payments Information Act of 2002, as amended by the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010 and the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012. In determining compliance, we...

USPTO Needs to Improve Management over the Implementation of the Trademark Next Generation System

2019
OIG-19-012-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The Office of Inspector General conducted an audit of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) Trademark Next Generation (TMNG) system. Our audit objective was to determine whether USPTO provided effective oversight of TMNG implementation.

2020 Census: Issues Observed During the 2018 End-to-End Census Test's Address Canvassing Operation Indicate Risk to Address List Quality

2019
OIG-19-008-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our audit objectives were to (1) assess the performance of in-field address canvassing operations and (2) determine whether in-office address canvassing correctly identified blocks for the in-field address canvassing operation.

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