Reports

09.30.2014

Semiannual Report to Congress, September 2014

I am pleased to present the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General's Semiannual Report to Congress for the 6 months ending September 30, 2014.

09.22.2014

Review of Improper Expenditure for NOAA GOES-R Ground Segment Team Activity

Attached is our final report detailing the findings of our investigation into the sufficiency of time and attendance adjustments made by GOES-R Ground Segment staff members to account for their participation in a GOES-R Ground Segment team event in May 2013, which involved lunch and a matinee showing of a Star Trek movie.

Report Number 14-0475

09.18.2014

IG's Testimony on Addressing U.S. Census Bureau Data Collection Vulnerabilities: House Oversight and Government Reform Committee

Chairman Farenthold, Ranking Member Lynch, and Members of the Subcommittee: We appreciate the opportunity to testify today on vulnerabilities in Census Bureau data collection and quality assurance processes.

Report Number 14-0073-T

09.04.2014

BIS' Implementation of Export Control Reform Requires Several Improvements to Address Challenges

During a March 5, 20 13, hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Chairman Frank Wolf raised a question about the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS') ability to handle the expected increased workload for the licensing and enforcement of former munitions items.

Report Number OIG-14-028-A

08.21.2014

Expedited Efforts Needed to Remediate High-Risk Vulnerabilities in the Joint Polar Satellite System's Ground System-Final Memorandum

As part of the fiscal year 20 13 Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 review, the Office of Inspector General is initiating an audit of NOAA's IT security program and practices.

Report Number OIG-14-027-M

07.28.2014

Review of Waste and Mismanagement at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board

Attached is our final report detailing the findings of our investigation into allegations received from multiple whistleblowers alleging waste and mismanagement at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), one of the components within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Report Number 13-1077

07.25.2014

Letter to Senators Mikulski and Shelby re: Status of International Trade Administration's Consolidation

The July 18, 2013, Senate Appropriations Committee report on the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies directed the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to evaluate and report on the progress, efficacy, and management of the consolidation of IT A's four business units into three.

Report Number OIG-14-026-M

07.15.2014

Significant Security Deficiencies in NOAA's Information Systems Create Risks in Its National Critical Mission

As part of the fiscal year 20 13 Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 review, the Office of Inspector General is initiating an audit of NOAA's IT security program and practices.

Report Number OIG-14-025-A

07.10.2014

Company Settles Claims That It Deliberately Underpaid Workers

ATLANTA – Advanced Power & Lighting (APL) and two of the company's former officers and/or employees, Richard Lee Robertson and Greg Piccione, have agreed to pay a total of $780,000 to settle allegations that they deliberately underpaid workers on several federally funded projects covered by the Davis-Bacon Act, and then violated the False Claims Act …

07.08.2014

Review of Conduct by a High-Ranking USPTO Official in the Hiring of a Trademark Organization Employee

On April 26, 2013, an anonymous whistleblower complainant sent a letter to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the United States Department of Commerce alleging that of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), improperly used position to ensure the hiring of the fiance (Applicant) of an immediate family member (Relative).

Report Number 13-0726