Notice of Federal Whistleblower Protections

Federal law (41 U.S.C. § 4712 and 10 U.S.C. § 2409) provides whistleblower rights and protection for employees working on a federal government contract, subcontract, or grant. 

Contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, or personal service contractors may not discharge, demote, or otherwise discriminate against an employee who discloses information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of:

• gross mismanagement of a Federal contract or grant;
• gross waste of Federal funds;
• an abuse of authority relating to a Federal contract or grant;
• a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or
• a violation of law, rule, or regulation related to a Federal contract or grant (including the competition for or negotiation of a contract or grant).

The prohibition against retaliation applies when suspected mismanagement is disclosed to the following persons and/or entities:

• a Member of Congress or a representative of a committee of Congress;
• an Inspector General;
• the Government Accountability Office;
• a Federal employee responsible for contract or grant oversight or management at the relevant agency;
• an authorized official of the Department of Justice or other law enforcement agency;
• a court or grand jury; or
• a management official or other employee of the contractor, subcontractor, or grantee who has the responsibility to investigate, discover, or address misconduct.

Additionally, 41 USC 4712 establishes a process for reviewing whistleblower reprisal complaints alleged by employees of contractors, subcontractors, and grantees when that employee believes he/she has been subjected to a reprisal prohibited by this law. 

Complaints may be submitted to the Inspector General of the executive agency involved.  Complaint forms and processes are generally accessible on the agency Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline or Whistleblower Internet sites, including:

• Department of Agriculture OIG
• Department of Defense OIG
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration OIG
• National Institutes of Health – Department of Health and Human Services OIG
• National Science Foundation OIG