Office of the Inspector General

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is responsible for conducting and supervising audits, investigations and inspections relating to the programs and operations of the Navy. The office examines, evaluates and critiques these operations, recommending ways to work more effectively, efficiently and in an economical manner.

The Office of Naval Research’s OIG office has autonomy to investigate and provide recommendations without interference from ONR in accordance with the Inspector General Act of 1978. Much of the inspector general's most significant work, however, is accomplished with the cooperation of officials whose programs are being reviewed.

ONR federal and contractor employees are required to report to the OIG any violations of law, standards of conduct and danger to public health and safety – but all citizens are encouraged to report violations to assure that taxpayers' monies are well-spent.

To assist you, the OIG maintains a confidential hotline and online reporting tool for reporting vital information. The identities of confidential complainants are protected — only IG personnel know them. However, the Inspector General Act of 1978 gives the authority to disclose a confidential complainant's identity in limited situations, such as where the disclosure of a complainant's identity is unavoidable in pursuit of an audit or an investigation. This kind of disclosure is necessary only on an extremely infrequent basis.

Anonymous complainants are always protected because we do not know their identity. This, however, can make it difficult for the OIG to obtain additional information and/or to ask follow-up questions in an investigation.