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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
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
USPTO Must Improve Acquisition Planning to Ensure Efficient and Competitive Procurements
2024
OIG-24-008-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
The objective of our audit was to determine whether USPTO’s processes and activities for acquisition planning are effective and consistent with established practices, procedures, and regulations. Overall, we found that USPTO’s processes and activities for acquisition planning were ineffective and...
Three Men Indicted for Environmental Crimes Committed in the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Las Mareas Community of Salinas, Puerto Rico
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
Semiannual Report to Congress
2023
SAR-2023-09
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 U.S. Department of Commerce (Department) activities. Over the past 6 months, our office issued 10 products related to our audit, evaluation, and inspection work. These products addressed...
EDA Generally Monitored Grants Awarded Under the FY 2019 EDA Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity
2024
OIG-24-005-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
For our audit of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA’s) monitoring of fiscal year (FY) 2019 disaster relief grants, our objective was to determine whether EDA monitored grants awarded under the FY 2019 EDA Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to ensure...
ITA Did Not Effectively Resolve Foreign Trade Barriers
2024
OIG-24-004-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
The objective of our audit was to assess ITA’s progress and actions to prevent, reduce, and remove foreign trade barriers. To address this objective, we assessed ITA’s process for (1) identifying and resolving trade barriers; (2) receiving, recording, and monitoring foreign trade barriers reported...
Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce in Fiscal Year 2024
2024
OIG-24-002
Top Management Challenges
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
This report summarizes the following top management and performance challenges facing the Department of Commerce in FY 2024: (1) continuing the transition to zero trust to overcome IT security shortcomings and strengthen cybersecurity; (2) awarding and overseeing grants to expand broadband access to...
SDTX and RI USAOs jointly resolve False Claims Act violation
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Rhode Island and Southern District of Texas Resolve Violation of False Claims Act Recovering More Than $465,000
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
Security Weaknesses in the Department’s Mission-Critical High Value IT Assets Leave the Assets Vulnerable to Cyberattacks
2023
OIG-23-030-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
For this audit, our objective was to determine if the U.S. Department of Commerce and its bureaus identify and remediate vulnerabilities on their high value IT assets (HVAs) in accordance with federal requirements. We found that while the Department conducts HVA assessments in accordance with...