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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

Inadequate Security Practices, Including Impaired Security of Cloud Services, Undermine USPTO’s IT Security Posture

2017
OIG-17-021-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our audit of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO’s) information technology (IT) security posture. Our objective was to determine whether key security measures are in place to adequately protect USPTO systems that utilize databases to store business information.

2020 Census: Census Bureau Needs to Improve Controls over Administrative Records

2017
OIG-17-022-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our audit of the Census Bureau’s controls over administrative records and third-party data for decennial census planning. The objective of this audit was to assess the Bureau’s controls for obtaining, using, retaining, and disposing of administrative records and third-party data as part of...

EDA Can Strengthen Its Policies and Procedures for Monitoring ULOs

2017
OIG-17-023-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This final report documents the results of our audit on the effectiveness of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA’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 report, we concluded that...

2020 Census: The Address Canvassing Test Revealed Cost and Schedule Risks and May Not Inform Future Planning as Intended

2017
OIG-17-024-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final audit report conducted in support of OIG’s oversight role for the planning and implementation of the 2020 Census. The audit’s original objective was to assess the risk that the Address Canvassing Test would not accomplish its stated goals. However, after we began audit fieldwork...

Selected Commerce Bureaus Could Improve Review Procedures and Documentation Related to Unliquidated Obligations

2017
OIG-17-026-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This final report documents the results of our audit of the effectiveness of selected Commerce bureaus unliquidated obligation (ULO) review policies and procedures developed since our OIG audit report issued on June 18, 2013, Monitoring of Obligation Balances Needs Strengthening (OIG-13-026-A). Our...

MBDA Can Improve Processes to More Effectively Monitor Cooperative Agreements

2017
OIG-17-029-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final audit report conducted to review Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) grant programs as part of our annual risk-based audit plan. Our audit objective was to review the adequacy of MBDA’s management of its cooperative agreements. Specifically, for the MBDA Business Center...

2020 Census: Evaluation of Interactive Review Address Canvassing Operation Revealed Issues with Quality Assurance Controls

2017
OIG-17-030-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our evaluation of the Census Bureau’s Interactive Review (IR) Address Canvassing operation. The objective of our review—which began in December 2015—was to gain an understanding of the IR process and evaluate the quality control procedures developed to ensure accurate results. This review...

Awarding of U.S. Census Bureau Noncompetitive Contracts Did Not Consistently Follow Federal Acquisition Regulations and Commerce Acquisition Policies

2017
OIG-17-031-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final audit report on the awarding of U.S. Census Bureau (the Bureau) noncompetitive contracts. Our objective was to determine whether the Bureau’s contracting personnel properly awarded noncompetitive contracts.

NOAA: Repair Needs Data Not Accurate, and Real Property Utilization Not Monitored Adequately

2017
OIG-17-032-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

This is our final audit report on the effectiveness of NOAA real property management. Specifically, we assessed whether NOAA has an adequate understanding of its repair needs and is monitoring real property utilization.

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