Reports

06.13.2025

Audit of USPTO’s Patent Center system

This announcement memo initiates an audit to determine whether USPTO is effectively prioritizing, resolving, and communicating Patent Center problems and defects, and effectively implementing Patent Center improvements.

Report Number 2025-521

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)

Audits Initiated

06.11.2025

BIS Needs to Improve Its Incident Response Capabilities to Handle Sophisticated Cyberattacks

Our evaluation found that BIS lacked the capabilities, tools, and procedures necessary to detect and respond to our malicious activities, which could allow advanced adversaries to significantly harm sensitive U.S. export control efforts.

Report Number OIG-25-022-I

Bureau of Industry and Security

Audits / Evaluations

06.10.2025

Former Chief Financial Officer Pleads Guilty to Theft in Connection with Health Care

DOJ Press Release Related to an OIG Investigation

Investigations

06.03.2025

Commerce CHIPS Act Programs Status Report

This report provides the status of programs under the CHIPS Act of 2022 that are administered by the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Specifically, it describes the actions taken by the NIST offices responsible for implementing semiconductor incentive programs and research and development initiatives from August 9, 2022, to January 31, 2025.

Report Number OIG-25-021-I

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Audits / Evaluations

05.27.2025

The Department Complied with Payment Integrity Information Act Requirements for Fiscal Year 2024

Our review found that the Department complied with Payment Integrity Information Act requirements in FY 2024. We did not identify any further action the Department needed to take to improve its efforts to prevent and reduce improper or unknown payments.

Report Number OIG-25-020-I

Office of the Secretary

Audits / Evaluations

05.20.2025

Audit of NIST’s Management of the National Vulnerability Database

This announcement memo initiates an audit to verify the effectiveness of NIST’s sustainable processes for managing National Vulnerability Database submission volumes, including the long-term effectiveness of its backlog reduction strategies and measures to prevent future processing delays.

Report Number 2025-518

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Audits Initiated

04.30.2025

EDA Needs to Improve Oversight of CARES Act Revolving Loan Funds to Ensure Loans Are Made to Eligible Borrowers and Used as Intended

Our audit found that loan costs claimed were not allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Specifically, four revolving loan fund (RLF) operators awarded 11 of the 19 loans (58 percent), totaling $4,020,050, to borrowers that did not meet the eligibility criteria in RLF operator plans, and funds were not used for purposes as intended by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020.

Report Number OIG-25-019-A

Economic Development Administration

Audits / Evaluations

04.30.2025

Semiannual Report to Congress, March 2025

This report summarizes work we initiated and completed for the 6 months ending March 31, 2025, on a number of critical departmental activities.

Report Number SAR-2025-03

Office of the Secretary

Audits / Evaluations, Semiannual Reports to Congress

04.24.2025

Grant manager sentenced to over two years in prison for embezzling funds intended to serve Native Alaskans

DOJ Press Release related to an OIG Investigation

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Investigations

04.22.2025

USPTO Should Improve Governance to Promote Effective Oversight of Its Artificial Intelligence Tools

Our audit found that USPTO has begun developing its AI workforce but should strengthen key organizational and system-level governance practices that are needed to effectively manage and oversee its AI tools.

Report Number OIG-25-018-A

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)

Audits / Evaluations

04.15.2025

Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

DOJ Press Release Related to an OIG Investigation

U.S. Census Bureau (Census)

Investigations