Mission and Organization
The NASA Office of Inspector General conducts audits, reviews, and investigations of NASA programs and operations to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement and to assist NASA management in promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Mission
In accordance with the Inspector General Act, the NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducts objective oversight of NASA programs and operations, and independently reports to the Administrator, Congress, and the public to further the Agency’s mission.
NASA OIG consists of auditors, data analysts, specialists, investigators, attorneys, and support staff at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and NASA Centers throughout the United States. Our workforce is committed to performance, excellence, and accountability by working together to ensure that
- our activities result in needed change and are responsive to customer needs;
- our opinions and products are independent, objective, and accurate;
- our workforce is highly competent and seeks opportunities for continual improvement; and
- we act with professionalism, integrity, and transparency.
By the Numbers
Fiscal Year 2010-2025
- Number of audits issued: over 430
- Funds put to better use: over $750 million
- Recommendations: over 1,760
- Indictments: over 420
- Convictions and resolutions: over 350
- Suspensions and debarments: over 290
- Total monetary impact: over $450 million
Executive Leadership
Organization
NASA OIG is composed of four offices—Audits, Investigations, Counsel, and Management—that implement the OIG’s mission:
Office of Audits
The Office of Audits (OA) conducts independent and objective audits, reviews, and other examinations to improve economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and to identify waste and mismanagement in NASA programs, projects, operations, and contractor activities. In addition, OA oversees the work of the independent public accountant in its audit of NASA’s financial statements.
Office of Investigations
The Office of Investigations (OI) investigates allegations of crime, cybercrime, fraud, abuse, and misconduct that may affect NASA programs, personnel, and resources. OI refers its findings either to the Department of Justice for prosecution or to NASA management for action. Through its investigations, OI identifies crime indicators and recommends measures for NASA management to reduce NASA’s vulnerability to criminal activity.
The Office of Data Analytics (ODA) is housed within OI and provides sophisticated data analytic support to the OIG. ODA leverages data analytic techniques using a myriad of NASA, other agency, and non-government data sets to assist OA and OI with accomplishing their missions.
Counsel to the Inspector General
Counsel to the Inspector General provides advice and assistance on a variety of legal issues relating to OIG review of NASA programs and operations. The legal staff reviews legislation, regulations, Freedom of Information Act requests, and other matters that require OIG attention. Additionally, the Office of Legal Counsel provides legal advice to OIG senior management, auditors, and investigators, and serves as counsel in administrative litigation in which the OIG is a party.
Office of Management
The Office of Management (OM) provides comprehensive support for the OIG’s employees, audits, and investigations. This support encompasses financial management through budget formulation and execution, procurement of goods and services, operational management of facilities, human resources, records, security, property, and information technology (IT), as well as the development of management policies and reports. OM’s human resources division manages the employee lifecycle—from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and professional development—while the IT division ensures state-of-the-art capabilities, including development and maintenance of management information systems and information security.
