Reports

03.29.2023

Inspector General Testimony on Prior Work Provides Lessons Learned for New Department Programs

The Department of Commerce Inspector General testified before the United States House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee about OIG’s budget and our oversight of Department programs and initiatives.

Testimony

03.23.2023

Office of Inspector General FY24 budget hearing

The Department of Commerce Inspector General provided an overview of OIG’s budget to the United States House of Representatives Appropriations Committee’s Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee.

Testimony

03.22.2023

Audit of the U.S. Census Bureau Working Capital Fund For Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020

We contracted with Ollie Green & Company (OG&C)—an independent certified public accounting firm—to perform this audit. The audit found that although the carryover balance was sufficiently supported, other areas of budget controls need improvement.

Report Number OIG-23-016-A

U.S. Census Bureau (Census)

Audits / Evaluations

03.22.2023

Fundamental Deficiencies in OS' Cybersecurity Incident Response Program Increase the Risk of Cyberattacks

Our evaluation found that the Office of the Secretary’s (OS’) Security Operations Center had not properly configured its security tools to detect our simulated attacks and struggled to effectively respond to the incident. We also found that OS’ Office of the Chief Information Officer did not manage its incident detection and response program in accordance with federal requirements.

Report Number OIG-23-017-I

Office of the Secretary

Audits / Evaluations

03.13.2023

Space Weather Follow-On (SWFO) Program: Rideshare Schedule Presents Challenges and Lack of Backup Option Warrants NOAA Attention

Our audit found that NOAA should ensure SWFO-L1 has the launch contingency options it needs, the SWFO program should improve its lessons-learned processes and contract surveillance oversight, and NOAA should update its space weather observation requirements in accordance with its validation criteria.

Report Number OIG-23-015-A

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Audits / Evaluations

03.13.2023

NIST Must Improve Monitoring of MEP to Prevent Waste of Financial Resources

Our evaluation found that NIST’s inadequate oversight of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Program has led to inefficient use of financial resources and concerns that recipients did not comply with award terms.

Report Number OIG-23-014-I

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Audits / Evaluations

03.08.2023

Capstone Report: Effective Reviews Are Needed to Enhance the Security Posture of the Department's Active Directories

Our audit found that a lack of adequate Active Directory security reviews caused similar issues across multiple Department bureaus and the Department does not have a policy for regular Active Directory security reviews.

Report Number OIG-23-013-A

Office of the Secretary

Audits / Evaluations

03.01.2023

FirstNet Authority Failed to Provide Adequate Contract Oversight for Its Initial Two Reinvestment Task Orders

Our audit found that FirstNet Authority did not adequately assess contractor performance of its initial two reinvestments.

Report Number OIG-23-012-A

First Responder Network Authority

Audits / Evaluations

02.27.2023

The Census Bureau Can Improve Processes to Promote Transparency of Cooperative Agreements

Our evaluation found that although the Census Bureau followed internal guidelines when awarding a cooperative agreement to an independent nonprofit, the bureau has opportunities to improve transparency in its management and oversight of key award processes

Report Number OIG-23-011-I

U.S. Census Bureau (Census)

Audits / Evaluations

02.13.2023

Evaluation of Ethics Oversight in Preventing Financial Conflicts of Interest by USPTO Patent Examiners

This announcement memo initiates an evaluation to determine whether USPTO and the Department are effectively administering their ethics rules to prevent financial conflicts of interest by patent examiners.

01.27.2023

2023 Annual Letter to OMB re: Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012

In accordance with the Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 and OMB guidance, this letter summarizes the results of our risk assessment and our audit recommendation status related to illegal, improper, or erroneous purchase and travel card activity at the Department and its bureaus.

Report Number OIG-23-010-M

Office of the Secretary

Correspondence