The Office of Investigations (OI) spearheads cases where employees, grantees, contractors, or others threaten NASA’s mission. To hold wrongdoers accountable, OI identifies crime indicators and offers recommendations to Agency leadership. Investigators address fraud, waste, and abuse across five key areas:

Computer Crimes

Cybercriminals can leverage critical security flaws to access sensitive government data and endanger national security. OI’s Cyber Crimes Division (CCD) pursues those who jeopardize NASA’s information systems via malware, data theft, computer intrusions, website defacements, and more. CCD specialists probe the circumstances surrounding security compromises—conducting forensic examinations on affected devices, tracking down hackers, and tracing stolen data. CCD also collects, analyzes, and recovers data, in addition to offering other technical support that advances both administrative and criminal investigations.

Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest and other ethics violations can damage the public’s confidence in government agencies. OI investigates these allegations, which can take many forms: officials who accept bribes, contractors who offer fees or gifts in exchange for favorable treatment, or civil servants who use their positions for personal gain. Each of these examples undermines the standards of conduct that all NASA employees and contractors must follow to preserve public trust.

Product Substitution and Counterfeit Parts

When NASA employees and contractors intentionally misrepresent facts about products used in government projects, it can risk mission success and endanger lives. To preserve the integrity of NASA systems, OI spearheads cases involving product substitution and counterfeit parts. In some instances, fraudsters supply outdated or defective components with poor workmanship, process control issues, and falsified test results. Other times, parts may be refurbished, improperly constructed, or modified to resemble the original order. In each case, subpar materials can lead to launch and schedule delays, cost increases, and safety risks.

Export Control Violations

Export controls are rules and regulations that restrict the transfer of equipment, software, or technology to other countries. OI ensures that NASA personnel follow these requirements to protect sensitive information, intellectual property, and defense-related articles. In turn, this preserves international agreements, economic interests, and national security.

Procurement Fraud

Procurement fraud deprives NASA of critical funds and squanders taxpayer dollars. OI investigators can suss out individuals who intentionally overcharge the government for goods and services; provide incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated pricing; misuse government-furnished equipment; or misrepresent labor hours. OI also pursues grant fraud cases where universities fail to disclose foreign ties on NASA grant applications. These efforts preserve research integrity and ensure individuals and organizations do not take advantage of the Agency’s valuable resources.

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