Reports

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

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Audits / Evaluations

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

International Trade Administration

Correspondence

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

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Audits / Evaluations

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 …

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Investigations

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

Investigations

06.30.2014

Rapid Rise in the Request for Continued Examination Backlog Reveals Challenges in Timely Issuance of Patents

As part of our fiscal year 20 13 audit and evaluation plan, we will conduct an audit of the growth of the RCE backlog and pendency.

Report Number OIG-14-024-A

06.25.2014

Excess Equipment, Weaknesses in Inventory Management, and Other Issues in BTOP Infrastructure Projects

Our audit identified the following weaknesses:
• Site visits identified problems with excess equipment and inventory management. Visits to
six grant recipients found excess equipment (even though the project was complete
and being closed out), deficient inventory management controls …

Report Number OIG-14-023-A

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Audits / Evaluations

06.17.2014

Audit of Joint Polar Satellite System: To Further Mitigate Risk of Data Gaps, NOAA Must Consider Additional Missions, Determine a Strategy, and Gain Stakeholder Support

As part of our FY 2013 work plan and in conjunction with our Top Management Challenges facing the Department of Commerce, we plan to audit NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System OPSS) program.

Report Number OIG-14-022-A

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Audits / Evaluations

06.10.2014

Nigerian Man Admits Role in Computer Hacking Scheme That Targeted Government Employees

NEWARK, N.J. – A Nigerian man today admitted his role in a computer hacking and identity theft scheme that defrauded vendors of nearly $1 million of office products after 'phishing' e-mail login information from government employees, New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Investigations

05.21.2014

The Census Bureau Lacks Accurate and Informative Cost Data to Guide 2020 Census Research Through a Constrained Budget Environment

As part of our fiscal year 20 13 audit and evaluation plan, we will review the bureau's process for implementing FYs 20 13 and 20 14 budget reductions to the 2020 Census Research Program.

Report Number OIG-14-021-A