U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

The department has an evaluation officer who facilitates the development and use of quality data, evidence and rigorous evaluations in decision making. Each bureau also has an evaluation lead.

The evaluation officer and evaluation leads meet regularly regarding Evidence Act deliverables. For example, the group meets to report on the strategic plan and to develop and submit an annual evaluation plan to the White House Office of Management and Budget. In fall 2023, the chief evaluation officer began hosting monthly evaluation brown bag discussions to advance evidence-based policy practices.

A Department Administrative Order establishes a policy for developing and using program evaluation findings and other evidence to improve efficiency and impact. It also establishes a system for the regular review of programs and processes to improve their value and customer experience.

As the Evidence Act requires, the Department of Commerce has a learning agenda and an evaluation plan. The FY 2022-26 Learning Agenda identifies and addresses relevant policy questions, including short- and long-term strategic and operational questions. All types of evidence — program evaluation, performance measurement, policy analysis and foundational fact-finding — are used to answer the questions. The department’s FY 2024 Evaluation Plan describes significant evaluations and related information for the fiscal year. All evaluations in the plan are supported by funding.

DOC has several policies, programs and initiatives with a focus on community engagement, particularly in communities facing unfavorable outcomes. For example, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), DOC collaborates with low-income and minority communities to address the impacts of climate change, pollution, and environmental challenges that disproportionately affect these groups. In many cases, Build Back Better Regional Challenge grants fund the creation of regional governance structures that explicitly invest in community representation and public education and engagement. DOC’s Equity Action Plan, published in January 2024, advances racial equity and support for underserved communities in agency operations and programs. Development of this plan, which focuses on making commerce-related opportunities more accessible to address historical and structural inequities, involved various community engagement activities.

The department also gathered input for its learning agenda priorities through meetings and site visits nationwide, virtual and community-based “listening sessions,” and a free, virtual public event focused on expanding opportunity and discovery through data. Senior staff from organizations representing minority communities, women, the disabled and LGBT+ groups provided insights on research topics for improving service delivery. Additionally, each bureau within the department conducts external stakeholder engagement to improve program and policy delivery. For example, in 2023, NOAA sought public comment to inform more equitable climate service delivery and incorporated that input into its Equitable Climate Services Action Plan.

Further, DOC’s Evaluation Plan outlines that projects funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) must align with one or more of EDA’s investment priorities, such as the Equity Investment Priority, which requires ensuring benefits for underserved populations and areas. The plan development process also outlines the role of community engagement for the evaluation questions identified.

The department’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan includes key performance indicators for each strategic objective. The Annual Performance Plan and Report shows progress on the strategic goals using yearly Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). In addition, the website Commerce Performance Data Pro lets the public interact with datasets, monitor efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy and learn more about what the department is doing to improve critical services. The website’s analytic capabilities, interactive open data and ease of use directly support the department’s increased use of program impact and performance data in decision-making.