[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 5, Volume 3]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 5CFR1800.2]

[Page 302-303]
 
                    TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
 
                 CHAPTER VIII--OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL
 
PART 1800_FILING OF COMPLAINTS AND ALLEGATIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec.  1800.2  Filing disclosures of information.

    (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)(iii) of this section).
    (1) Filers are encouraged to use Form OSC-12 (``Disclosure of 
Information'') to file a disclosure of the type of information described 
in paragraph (a) of

[[Page 303]]

this section with OSC. This form provides more information about OSC 
jurisdiction, and procedures for processing whistleblower disclosures. 
Form OSC-12 is available:
    (i) By writing to OSC, at: Office of Special Counsel, Disclosure 
Unit, 1730 M Street NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505;
    (ii) By calling OSC, at: (800) 572-2249 (toll-free), or (202) 653-
9125 (in the Washington, DC area); or
    (iii) Online, at: http://www.osc.gov (to print out and complete on 
paper, or to complete online).
    (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 can be filed in writing with OSC by any of the 
following methods:
    (i) By mail, to: Office of Special Counsel, Disclosure Unit, 1730 M 
Street NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505;
    (ii) By fax, to: (202) 653-5151; or
    (iii) Electronically, at: http://www.osc.gov.

[68 FR 66696, Nov. 28, 2003]