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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).

Missing Security Controls Put the Department's Cloud-Based High Value Assets at Risk

2022
OIG-22-031-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on our audit of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (the Department’s) security controls for cloud-based high value assets (HVAs), our objective was to verify that the Department implemented security controls for cloud-based HVAs in accordance with federal requirements. We found...

Harvey Man Sentenced for Causing 2016 Oil Spill

Harvey Man Sentenced for Causing 2016 Oil Spill
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date

Harvey Man Sentenced for Causing 2016 Oil Spill NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced JAMES TASSIN, age 52, of Harvey, was sentenced to 2 years probation on September 8, 2022 for violating the Clean Water Act in connection with an oil spill. According to court documents,,,

FirstNet Authority Did Not Have Reliable Cost Estimates to Ensure It Awarded Two Reinvestment Task Orders at Fair and Reasonable Prices

2022
OIG-22-029-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on the audit of First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority’s) process for developing Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs) for its first two reinvestment task orders, our audit objective was to determine whether FirstNet Authority's process for reinvesting...

USPTO Needs to Improve Its Cost Estimating, Scheduling, and Agile Practices to Timely Retire Patent Legacy Systems

2022
OIG-22-026-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on our audit of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) patent legacy systems, our audit objective was to review USPTO’s progress towards retiring its patent legacy systems. Specifically, we assessed USPTO’s (1) cost, schedule, and capabilities of select patent...

The BAS Program Needs to Increase Attention to Business Process Reengineering and Improve Program Management Practices

2022
OIG-22-025-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on our audit of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (the Department’s) Business Applications Solution program (the Program), our objective was to assess the Department’s management and implementation of the Program. To meet our objective, we determined the extent to which the...

The Success of NOAA’s Next-Generation Satellite System Architecture Depends on Sound Requirements Management Practices

2022
OIG-22-022-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on our audit of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA's) next-generation satellite system architecture, our objective was to assess NOAA's progress planning and implementing this architecture. We found the following: I. NOAA requirements management...

The Department Mismanaged, Neglected, and Wasted Money on the Implementation of IT Security Requirements for Its National Security Systems

2022
OIG-22-023-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our evaluation objective was to determine whether the Department and its bureaus are managing national security systems in compliance with federal and Departmental information technology security requirements.We found the following:I. The Department mismanaged and neglected information technology...

The Census Bureau Needs to Improve Management and Oversight of Vetting Employees to Avoid Hiring Unsuitable Individuals for Federal Employment

2022
OIG-22-021-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our evaluation was conducted as part of a series of reviews to determine whether the Bureau’s planning and execution of 2020 Census peak operations successfully reduced the risk to decennial census data quality and costs. Overall, we found that the Bureau continues to face longstanding challenges in...

Fiscal Year 2021 Compliance with Improper Payment Requirements

2022
OIG-22-024-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on fiscal year (FY) 2021 improper payment reporting, our review objective was to determine the U.S. Department of Commerce's (the Department’s) compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA). To determine FY 2021 compliance, we reviewed the “Payment...

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