Reports

09.30.2023

Semiannual Report to Congress, September 2023

This report summarizes work we initiated or completed for the 6 months ending September 30, 2023.

Report Number SAR-2023-09

Office of the Secretary

Audits / Evaluations, Semiannual Reports to Congress

09.29.2023

Broadband: A Data Stroll

OIG’s Data Analytics team developed this data stroll on the broadband program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture OIG’s Office of Analytics and Innovation.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Correspondence

09.28.2023

Security Weaknesses in the Department's Mission-Critical High Value IT Assets Leave the Assets Vulnerable to Cyberattacks

Our audit found that the Department did not always effectively identify and remediate high value asset (HVA) vulnerabilities and did not follow the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s best practice security guidance for HVAs.

Report Number OIG-23-030-A

Office of the Secretary

Audits / Evaluations

09.26.2023

EDA Generally Maintained Grant Award Files During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our evaluation found that EDA generally maintained its grant files during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Report Number OIG-23-029-I

Economic Development Administration

Audits / Evaluations

09.20.2023

The GeoXO Program: Cost and Schedule Baselines Are Established, But NOAA Should Evaluate Plans for the Central Satellite Mission and Revise Its Approach to Performance Gains to Provide the Best Overall Value

Our audit found that NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) program should evaluate its plans for the Central satellite mission and improve its approach to achieving performance gains.

Report Number OIG-23-028-A

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Audits / Evaluations

09.05.2023

Satellite Integration and Test Phase Improvements Are Needed to Ensure the Success of Future Polar Weather Satellite Missions

Our audit found that the Polar Weather Satellite program should ensure instruments are protected from contamination and tested as they will fly, improve its lessons-learned process, and improve its requirements verification process.

Report Number OIG-23-027-A

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Audits / Evaluations

08.30.2023

The Census Bureau Needs to Improve its Performance Management Processes and Quality Control Program for the Reimbursable Surveys Program

Our audit found that while the Bureau has established controls along with performance and quality metrics to ensure the quality of survey data, it does not consistently follow or achieve them.

Report Number OIG-23-025-A

U.S. Census Bureau (Census)

Audits / Evaluations

08.30.2023

USPTO Needs to Improve Oversight and Implementation of Patent Classification and Routing Process

Our audit found that USPTO’s patent classification and routing processes were not effective.

Report Number OIG-23-026-A

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)

Audits / Evaluations

08.21.2023

Semiannual Report on NTIA's Broadband Program, August 2023

This report is the second in a series of semiannual reviews providing the status of six NTIA-administered grant programs aimed at expanding broadband access in the United States.

Report Number OIG-23-024

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Audits / Evaluations

08.14.2023

DOJ and California non-profit settle allegations of false claims for reimbursement

This press release announces the resolution of allegations that Sun Valley CARE Development, Inc., violated the False Claims Act by submitting false information to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) in connection with an EDA grant.

Economic Development Administration

Investigations

07.10.2023

Management Alert: NTIA's Reliance on Self-Certifications Increased Fraud Risk for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program

During our audit of NTIA’s implementation of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), we determined NTIA did not consistently identify possible duplicated funding for 88 TBCP broadband infrastructure awards, totaling $1.6 billion.

Report Number OIG-23-022-M

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Audits / Evaluations

05.24.2023

EDA Implemented and Followed the Requirements for Awarding and Disbursing CARES Act Funding Through the Revolving Loan Fund Program

Our evaluation found that EDA had a process to select applicants and award Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds through the revolving loan fund program, generally ensured that pre-disbursement requirements were met, and had a process for monitoring CARES Act funds after disbursement.

Report Number OIG-23-021-I

Economic Development Administration

Audits / Evaluations