Frequently Asked Questions

This page will be periodically updated and expanded. If your question is not answered below, you may submit it here, or suggest questions you think may be useful to others.  The Department of Commerce welcomes your questions and suggestions.

Department of Commerce Bureaus and Agencies
What are the different divisions of the Department of Commerce, and what do they do? (links are to bureau "About Us" Web pages)

• Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
• Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA)
• Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
• Census Bureau
• Economic Development Administration (EDA)
• International Trade Administration (ITA)
• Minority Business Development Administration (MBDA)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
• Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

What is the mission and organization of the Department of Commerce and its tasks?

What is the history and milestones of the Department of Commerce, its Secretaries, and the architecture of the Herbert Hoover Building?

Is the National Aquarium located in the Department of Commerce?

Are there Department of Commerce locations near where I live?

Overview of the Department of Commerce
What does the Department of Commerce do?

2010 Census
Where can I find information about the 2010 Census?  Where can I learn more about 2010 Census jobs?

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Where can I find information about Commerce and the Recovery Act?  Where can I find information about the entire U.S. government's Recovery Act efforts?

Gulf Coast Contracting
Where can I find information on Gulf Coast opportunities? Does the Department of Commerce award contracts?

Minority Business Opportunities
Where can I find information on minority and small business development?

Economic Data and Statistics
Where can I find economic statistics and reports?
Where can I find useful information about the social, political and economic organization of the United States?

U.S. Population Statistics
Where can I find information about the population of the United States and the individual states and territories?

Time and Standards
How can I find the correct time in different time zones? What is a "leap year" or a "leap second"?

Careers in Commerce
How do I prepare for a career in the Department of Commerce and what are the job opportunities?

Faith-Based Community Initiatives
How does the Department of Commerce participate in President Obama's Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Initiatives?

Weather
Where can I find information about national and international weather warnings, forecasts and observations?