NAVAIR

NAVAIR Inspector General

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE NAVAIR HOTLINE?

The NAVAIR IG Hotline Complaint Program provides individuals, who have first addressed their issues to their chain-of-command for resolution, an opportunity to report significant instances of fraud, waste, abuse of authority, and gross mismanagement. It is NAVAIR policy to combat fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in Department of the Navy programs and operations. The NAVAIR Hotline Complaint Program strives to ensure that allegations are properly evaluated and examined, and that appropriate remedial and corrective actions are taken.

WHO OPERATES THE NAVAIR HOTLINE?

The NAVAIR IG office has professional investigators who administer the NAVAIR Hotline Complaint for NAVAIR Headquarters. At each NAVAIR field activity, the Command Evaluation and Control office administers their portion of the NAVAIR Hotline Complaint Program and their own local Hotline Complaint Program.

DO I HAVE TO IDENTIFY MYSELF?

No. However, we encourage you provide your identity, so we may contact you, if necessary. If you wish to remain anonymous, please be sure to provide as much information as possible to include names, dates, locations, etc.  You may also be a confidential complainant, but in doing so does not guarantee anonymity.  You can also be a known complainant, which is the most efficient way to obtain information regarding your complaint.  If your complaint is referred to the Command for action, you will be asked if your identity can be released to Command.  You may opt out of being identified in this type of action, and your complaint will be redacted when being referred to the Command.  However, sending the Command a redacted complaint could result in information being removed that would be helpful for the Command to resolve the complaint in the most efficient way.

The NAVAIR Hotline Complaint Program relies on concerned civil service employees, military members, and private citizens to provide us with information regarding alleged fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement within the Naval Aviation Systems TEAM. We understand the value of complaints provided by individuals who desire to maintain their anonymity. We also understand the value of being able to contact complainants to ask for additional information or clarification of their complaint. Often, additional information or clarification is necessary for successful conclusion of an investigation. We encourage you to identify yourself; however, it is not required. If you choose to identify yourself, we will not divulge your identity without your express consent.

Protecting your own identity:

Sometimes even anonymous complainants put information in their letters to us that would disclose their identity. We recommend you avoid making personal statements or references that would lead others to your identity. Prior to referring written complaints for investigation they are thoroughly reviewed by one of our Hotline investigators. All letter complaints referred for investigation are further protected by warnings to preclude the unauthorized disclosure of your identity.

DoD employees:

In accordance with the Inspector General Act, the identity of DoD employees who make complaint or provides information regarding alleged wrongdoing will be held confidential unless the individual gives their express permission for the disclosure of their name.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL?

Immediately! Disclosure should be made as soon as information is available. Available time to reach our investigators is Monday through Friday, from 7:00 A.M. until 5:30 P.M., (EST), after hours you may leave a message.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU CALL THE NAVAIR HOTLINE?

You should expect a thorough interview by one of our professional investigators. You will be asked to provide information that will help the investigator piece together the facts of the situation (who, what, when, where, how and why) and assess the estimated dollar loss to the Government. An evaluation of your complaint will be made to determine if an investigation is warranted, or if you need to refer the matter to other authorities. Your call will be handled with complete confidentiality and you may remain anonymous.  When you file a complaint with the NAVAIR IG Hotline, or any government hotline, you will have created a Protected Communication, which is one of the factors in determining Reprisal.

WHEN SHOULD I SUBMIT A WRITTEN COMPLAINT TO THE NAVAIR HOTLINE?

If your complaint is complex and supporting documentation is available, you should submit your complaint in writing. Written complaints should contain sufficient information including who, what, when, where, how and why.  Please ensure your complaint answers those questions!

If you believe you are the victim of reprisal or an improper referral for a mental health evaluation you may submit a written complaint to the DODIG.  Information can be found at the following link, http://www.dodig.mil/hotline/

HOW CAN I DETERMINE THE STATUS OF MY CASE?

Call the NAVAIR IG office at (301) 757-1168. If you have been provided the Naval Inspector General Hotline Tracking System (NIGHTS) number for your case, an investigator will tell you whether your case is still open or has been closed. Because of the Privacy Act of 1974, the NAVAIR IG is precluded from advising you of specific case details. To obtain more specific information you must submit a Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act (FOIA) request to the Naval Inspector General (NAVINSGEN) FOIA Office at the following link, http://www.secnav.navy.mil/ig/Pages/FOIA/SubmitFOIARequest.aspx.

 HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RESOLVE A HOTLINE COMPLAINT?

Normally, inquiries are completed within 180 days. However, the time required to complete the inquiry may vary depending on the complexity or amount of additional material or allegations received.

HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF A NAVAIR HOTLINE COMPLETION REPORT?

You must submit a written request to the NAVINSGEN FOIA Office at the following link, http://www.secnav.navy.mil/ig/Pages/FOIA/SubmitFOIARequest.aspx.

CAN THE NAVAIR HOTLINE ASSIST WITH PAY PROBLEMS?

The NAVAIR Hotline Complaint Program is not equipped to assist with routine pay and allowance problems. For routine pay matters, please contact the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) for assistance. We may assist with extraordinary pay and allowance problems on a case by case basis.

CAN THE NAVAIR HOTLINE HELP ME LOCATE A DoD EMPLOYEE OR SERVICE MEMBER?

Unfortunately the NAVAIR IG cannot. If you have a CAC you can locate a DoD employee or Service Member using the DoD White Pages.


 


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Ways to File a Hotline Complaint

 

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE HOTLINE?

Before you call or write, if you have not already, please review the section titled "Important Information Before Filing a Hotline Complaint."

You can email your complaint to NAVAIR_IG_HOTLINE@navy.mil.  Do not use this method if you wish to remain anonymous.  The senders name appears in the ”From: line” on the email to the NAVAIR IG Hotline.

You may call the NAVAIR Hotline (301) 757-1168, or DSN 757-1168, or you may submit your report in writing by mailing to: Commander, Naval Air Systems Command, Office of the Inspector General (AIR-00G), 22145 Arnold Circle, Unit #7, Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547.

You may also submit your written complaint by fax at telephone number (301) 757-2121 or DSN 757-2121.


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Important Information Before Filing a Hotline Complaint

What Should Be Reported?

The below listed violations should be reported to the NAVAIR IG Hotline:

  • Violations of law, rule, or regulation
  • Substantial and specific danger to public health or safety
  • Contract and procurement irregularities:
    • Cost/labor mischarging
    • Defective pricing
    • Defective parts
    • Bid rigging
    • Product substitution
    • Spare parts overpricing
  • Bribery and acceptance of gratuities
  • Cases of mismanagement
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Travel (TDY/TAD) fraud
  • Abuse of authority
  • Theft and abuse of Government property
  • Military Reprisal (Violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act involving service members)
  • Violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act involving civilian DoD personnel and non-appropriated fund employees
  • Improper referrals of military personnel for mental health evaluations
  • Gross waste of funds

DOD appropriated fund employees come under the jurisdiction of the Office of Special Counsel for investigations of violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

We recommend that you read the following information about what to include in your complaint before you submit your Hotline complaint:

When calling or sending in a complaint, please be as specific as possible. Your complaint should provide:

  • Service member's or employee's full name
  • rank or pay grade
  • duty station
  • specifically what wrongdoing you are reporting
  • specific dates and times
  • specific location where wrongdoing occurred
  • how the individual completed the alleged wrongdoing
  • why the individual perpetrated the offense
  • why you believe the alleged activity was misconduct

We encourage you to register complaints and grievances through appropriate management and grievance channels, and submit suggestions for management improvements through the proper DoD Incentive Awards Program. Personnel matters involving requests for individual relief should be handled through the appropriate grievance channels.


 


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