(a) General. OSC is authorized by law (at 5 U.S.C. 1213) to provide an independent and secure channel for use by current or former Federal employees and applicants for Federal employment in disclosing information that they reasonably believe shows wrongdoing by a Federal agency. OSC must determine whether there is a substantial likelihood that the information discloses a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; abuse of authority; or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. If it does, the law requires OSC to refer the information to the agency head involved for investigation and a written report on the findings to the Special Counsel. The law does not authorize OSC to investigate the subject of a disclosure.

(b) Procedures for filing disclosures. Current or former Federal employees, and applicants for Federal employment, may file a disclosure of the type of information described in paragraph (a) of this section with OSC. Such disclosures must be filed in writing (including electronically—see paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section).

(1) Filers are encouraged to use OSC Form-14 to file a disclosure of the type of information described in paragraph (a) of this section with OSC. OSC Form-14 provides more information about OSC jurisdiction, and procedures for processing whistleblower disclosures. OSC Form-14 is available:

(i) Online, at: http://www.osc.gov;

(ii) By calling OSC, at:

(800) 572-2249 (toll-free), or (202) 254-3640; or

(iii) By writing to OSC, at: U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 M Street NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505.

(2) Filers may use another written format to submit a disclosure to OSC, but the submission should include:

(i) The name, mailing address, and telephone number(s) of the person(s) making the disclosure(s), and a time when OSC can contact that person about his or her disclosure;

(ii) The department or agency, location and organizational unit complained of; and

(iii) A statement as to whether the filer consents to disclosure of his or her identity by OSC to the agency involved, in connection with any OSC referral to that agency.

(3) A disclosure may be filed in writing with OSC by any of the following methods:

(i) Electronically, at: http://www.osc.gov (for completion and filing electronically);

(ii) By fax, to:

(202) 254-3711; or

(iii) By mail, to: U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 M Street NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505.

[82 FR 26741, June 9, 2017]