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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).

Successful Cyber Attack Highlights Longstanding Deficiencies in NOAA’s IT Security Program

2016
OIG-16-043-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final report on OIG's audit of NOAA's IT systems in response to a significant cyber attack that took place in September 2014. We conducted this audit to (1) determine the significant factors that contributed to the successful cyber attack on NOAA information systems and (2) evaluate NOAA...

Delinquency Follow-Up Procedures and System Shortcomings Pose Risks for Fisheries Finance Program

2016
OIG-16-046-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our audit report on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Fisheries Finance Program (the Program). The purpose of our audit was to evaluate management’s controls over the Program’s loan approval, monitoring, and debt collection...

Review of the Sustainability of Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Comprehensive Community Infrastructure Awards

2016
OIG-16-047-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

OIG contracted with BCA Watson Rice LLP (BCA) to assist in reporting on sustainability features of Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (Infrastructure) grants awarded, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The...

Follow-up Audit on Recommendations from Audit Report No. OIG-13-031-A, Classified Information Policies and Practices at the Department of Commerce Need Improvement

2016
OIG-16-048-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The first evaluation was completed by September 30, 2013; a second, to be completed by September 30, 2016, was to review progress made after the first. Our audit objective was to determine whether the Department took appropriate corrective actions on recommendations made in OIG’s 2013 report.

Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce

2016
OIG-16-049
Top Management Challenges
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final report on the Department of Commerce’s top management and performance challenges for fiscal year (FY) 2017. We have aligned our report with the Department’s FYs 2014–2018 Strategic Plan—and, within each of the plan’s strategic goals, we discuss the challenges we have identified...

Audit of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Grant Award NA11NMF4630150

2017
OIG-17-004-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This audit provides the results of a review of a coastal restoration project in Louisiana funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, or Fisheries) Office of Habitat Conservation. Our objectives were to determine whether Louisiana’s...

National Weather Service’s Oversight of Service Contracts, Document Retention, and Reporting Needs Improvement

2017
OIG-17-007-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final report on OIG’s audit of NOAA’s National Weather Service’s (NWS) oversight of service contracts, document retention, and reporting. Our objective was to evaluate whether NWS has adequate controls in place to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations for personnel...

NTIA Has Significantly Reduced its Unliquidated Obligation Balances But Can Further Strengthen Review and Documentation Procedures

2017
OIG-17-011-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This final report documents the results of our audit on the effectiveness of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA’s) unliquidated obligation (ULO) review policies and procedures developed since our OIG audit report issued in June 2013 (OIG-13-026-A). In our 2013...

Audit of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite–R Series: Improvements in Testing, Contract Management, and Transparency Are Needed to Control Costs, Schedule, and Risks

2017
OIG-17-013-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For this audit, our objectives were to assess the adequacy of GOES-R development as the program completes system integration and test activities for the flight and ground segments in preparation for launch and data distribution, per National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National...

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