At its core, the Department of the Interior, Inspector General (OIG) exists to hold the Department of the Interior (DOI) accountable in its operations, programs and management. For this reason, the DOI OIG must answer to Congress, the Department of the Interior (DOI) management and the Office of Management and Budget about the DOI's operations upon request.

The US Department of Interior is charged with conserving natural resources that include minerals, energy, land, water, fish and wildlife, and the responsibilities the United States has to American Indians, Alaska Natives and island communities. In addition to making it possible for tourists to access the country's natural and cultural heritage, the DOI collaborates with schools and offers materials to educators that encourage children to explore the nation's natural resources and rich heritage. While the DOI can affect your business in any number of ways, review the following to learn how you can make the most of what this agency has to offer:

1. Utilize forms, instructions, databases and other resources to help you prepare for a government audit.

2. Notify the DOI OIG of any wrongdoing within the DOI.

3. Gain insight when doing business with the Department of Interior by requesting more information using the FOIA.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Prepare for an audit by the Department of the Interior, Inspector General (OIG)

One aspect of the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General is to act as an audit agency for the government. The Department of Interior Inspector General has an Office of Audits that determines if specific non-profit organizations as well as Indian tribal, state, local and insular area governments such as Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands are in compliance with the Single Audit Act of 1984.

I recommend: If your business is required to get an annual audit because you spend more than $500,000 or more on federal assistance annually, you can access data collection forms and instructions as well as a single audit database through the Federal Audit Clearing House (FAC) website. You many also want to consider the purchase of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Audit Committee Toolkit: Not-for-Profit Organizations to improve the quality of your audit.

Report DOI misconduct to the DOI Inspector General

In an effort to promote a high standard of integrity within the DOI, the Department of the Interior, Inspector General (OIG) carries out investigations, evaluations, audits and reviews to rid the organization of abuse, mismanagement, waste and a vulnerability to fraud. If you're aware of any misconduct within the DOI, you can use online forms to report the incident to the DOI OIG.

I recommend: Complete the online Hotline Complaint Form to report fraud, abuse, waste, wrongdoing or misconduct that involves the United States Department of the Interior. Use the US Office of Special Council (OSC) E-Filing System to submit a Complaint Form (OSC Form 11) or Whistleblower Disclosure Form (OSC Form 12) online.

Obtain further information on the US Department of Interior by utilizing the FOIA

The Freedom of Information Act allows anyone including those who do or wish to do business with the Department of the Interior to access records including calendars and travel records of department heads, DOI contracts, policy and procedures of the DOI and FOIA annual reports to name a few.

I recommend: Access hundreds of reports free of charge using the report database provided by Department of Interior. Request other frequently requested documents including Department of Interior contracts and review the DOI’s laws, manuals, handbooks and more.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep in mind the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applies to federal agencies only and there is no right of access to records held by the courts, Congress, or by state or local government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that interested parties should consult for access to records at the state and local level.