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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).

Alleged Unallowable Costs Under NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Grant

2017
14-0480
Investigation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

In May 2014, a private party filed a sealed qui tam complaint in federal court, alleging that Frontier, West Virginia, Inc. (Frontier), a subrecipient of a National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant to the State of West...

Investigation into Misuse of Agency Transportation Account and Other Improprieties by a Political Appointee

2016
15-0444
Investigation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

In early 2015, a confidential complainant contacted OIG alleging potential policy and regulatory violations taking place in the office of a high-ranking political appointee. The evidence developed over the course of inquiry established that a variety of problems arose in the appointee's office...

Analysis of Patent Examiners' Time and Attendance

2016
14-0990
Investigation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

OIG's comprehensive analysis focused on two overlapping periods: a 9-month period (8.6 million hours) and a 15-month period (14.6 million hours). The 1-year average of unsupported time amounted to nearly 180,000 unsupported hours. However, the total unsupported hours over the 9- and 15-month periods...

Semiannual Report to Congress, September 2017

2017
SAR-2017-09
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—in addition to issuing our annual Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce—OIG completed nine audits...

Examination of the Department's Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 20 I 4 Submission for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017

2018
OIG-18-005
Other
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our report on the Department's Digital Accountability and Act of 2014 (DATA Act) submission for the second quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2017, we contracted with K.PMG LLP, an independent public accounting firm, to examine the Department's submission (which included seven files containing...

The Joint Polar Satellite System: Further Planning and Executive Decisions Are Needed to Establish a Long-term, Robust Program

2016
OIG-16-026-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For this review of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA’s) Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) program, the objectives were to (1) determine the progress of Polar Follow-On program planning, (2) monitor ongoing JPSS acquisition and development (i.e., JPSS-1 and JPSS-2 missions...

Significant Firm-Fixed-Price Contract Actions in FYs 2011-2013 Cannot Be Verified from Documentation in NIST Contract Files

2016
OIG-16-001-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our audit of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management’s (OAAM’s) management, monitoring, and administration of NIST firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts during FYs 2011–2013, our objectives were to determine whether (1) NIST OAAM has...

Lack of Basic Security Practices Hindered BIS’ Continuous Monitoring Program and Placed Critical Systems at Risk

2016
OIG-16-003-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS') continuous monitoring program, our objective -- in accordance with the Federal Information SecurityManagement Act of 2002 -- was to determine whether BIS' continuous monitoring strategy and practices, including ongoing security...

Census Bureau Realignment Did Not Fully Meet Stated Goals and Reimbursable Agreements Are Not Managed Adequately

2016
OIG-16-004-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our audit of the Census Bureau’s regional office alignment and field management reforms included two objectives: (1) identify and assess the benchmarks—including the manner in which response rates are calculated and reported on surveys such as the American Community Survey—that the Bureau is using...

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Recipients Retaining Excess Equipment at End of Projects

2016
OIG-16-012-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is the report of our audit of the effectiveness of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA’s) oversight of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) comprehensive community infrastructure (CCI) awards. The purpose of our audit was to assess the...

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