Whistleblower Information.pdf

This document is whistleblower information guidance for employees of Department of Justice (DOJ) contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, and personal services contractors.

The document defines a whistleblower as an employee who discloses information reasonably believed to be evidence of gross mismanagement of a Federal contract or grant, gross waste of Federal funds, abuse of authority relating to a Federal contract or grant, substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or violation of law, rule, or regulation related to a Federal contract or grant. Federal law under Title 41, United States Code, Section 4712 protects such employees from discharge, demotion, or discrimination for making protected whistleblower disclosures. To receive protection, disclosures must be made to a Member of Congress, congressional committee representative, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a Federal employee responsible for contract or grant oversight, an authorized DOJ or law enforcement official, a court or grand jury, or a management official with responsibility to investigate misconduct. The DOJ OIG has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of reprisal for whistleblowing and will submit findings to the complainant, contractor or grantee, and agency head upon investigation completion. Employees may report wrongdoing to the DOJ OIG through its website at https://oig.justice.gov/hotline, by hotline at (800) 869-4499, by fax at (202) 616-9881, or by mail to the Office of the Inspector General Inspections Division, 1425 New York Avenue N.W., Suite 7100, Washington, D.C. 20530-2001. The document notes that non-disclosure agreements cannot limit an employee's ability to provide information to the OIG.