DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Budget $15.77B
Employees 47,060
Year Established 1903
The primary focus of the Department of Commerce is to promote economic growth in the United States. The goals of the DOC include promoting job creation, sustainable economic growth and improving partnerships between businesses, universities, communities and employees. The DOCs tasks include collecting statistics about our economy, businesses and workforce needed to make informed decisions about economic policy and issues patents and trademarks.
BUREAUS
BEA is an independent, principal federal statistical agency that promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing timely, relevant, and accurate economic accounts data in an objective and cost-effective manner.
To advance Departmental initiatives by conducting economic analysis, promoting business and commerce, guiding data-driven decision-making and evidence-building activities, and increasing access to government data while ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Principal Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Secretary of Commerce, the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs carries out initiatives and duties, including: (1) Coordinates economic analysis needs across the Department (2) Leads Departmental initiatives involving the promotion of domestic business and commerce (3) Provides policy direction and oversight of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the Census Bureau (4) Leads the Department's initiatives and programs related to data, data policy, and data management (5) Serves as the lead executive on other matters of importance to the Secretary.
The duties of the Under Secretary's Office fall into broad categories—activities related to economic policy analysis and business development, directed by the Chief Economist and Deputy Chief Economist, and responsibilities related to the Federal Data Strategy and the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 ("Evidence Act"), guided by the Department's Chief Data Officer, Statistical Official, and Evaluation Officer.
Since EDA’s inception 52 years ago, EDA has led the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
NIST is one of the nation's oldest physical science laboratories. Congress established the agency to remove a major challenge to U.S. industrial competitiveness
The mission of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) is to provide innovative data services to federal agencies, through agile partnerships with the private sector, to advance federal data priorities, promote economic growth, and enable operational excellence. NTIS brings industry-leading partners to government agency customers at the velocity of the government's needs.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), located within the Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that is principally responsible by law for advising the President on telecommunications and information policy issues.
OFFICES
The Office of Business Liaison is the primary point of contact between the business community and the Office of the Secretary at the Department of Commerce. Our office also liaises with the 12 bureaus of the department to keep a pulse on business engagement across the department. Our mission is to represent private sector interests through strategic engagement on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce. What We Do: (1) Build proactive, responsive relationships with the business community (2) Provide a feedback loop that informs the Secretary, the Department, and Administration officials on the critical issues facing the business community (3) Connect businesses with Commerce experts, resources, policies, and programs (4) Conduct outreach to the business community, including arranging meetings and briefings with department officials
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s programs and operations through independent and objective oversight. OIG also endeavors to detect and deter waste, fraud and abuse through its audits, inspections, evaluations and investigations. The Inspector General keeps the Secretary of Commerce and Congress informed about problems and deficiencies relating to Commerce activities and the need for corrective action.
The OLIA offers a range of programs, information, and services to help consumers, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments. The U.S. Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improved standards of living for all Americans by working in partnership with businesses, universities, communities, and our nation's workers.
The Office of Policy and Strategic Planning develops strategic policy priorities and provides policy counsel to the leadership of the Department of Commerce.
Strategic Planning
Developing strategic policy priorities
Planning and coordinating the implementation of policy initiatives that support these priorities
Policy Counsel
Supplying timely and actionable policy advice to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary
Working with bureau leadership and experts regarding administration and department perspectives
Policy Coordination
Engaging bureaus within the department to coordinate and integrate policy initiatives with secretarial and administration objectives
Leading cross-bureau initiatives and supporting the implementation of bureau-led policy initiatives
Offering policy input into secretarial communications by coordinating bureau policy input
Policy Outreach
Synthesizing input and ideas from the administration, the private sector, non-profit organizations and the academic community to inform the department's policy formulation process