What must defense acquisition personnel do upon receiving credible information about a TIP violation?

• A. Notify the agency IG and if appropriate law-enforcement officials with jurisdiction
• B. Notify the contracting officer only
• C. Notify the agency IG only
• D. Do nothing

Answer: (A)

When defense acquisition personnel encounter credible information that a TIP violation may be occurring, the action to take is to report through the agency’s Inspector General and, where jurisdiction exists, notify appropriate law-enforcement officials. This dual-path approach ensures an independent review and potential criminal investigation while also engaging authorities who can pursue prosecution and protect victims. The IG handles oversight and coordination, preserving the integrity of the investigation and the program, while law enforcement can take formal investigative steps as needed. This pathway helps safeguard evidence, maintain proper transparency, and align with obligations to combat trafficking.

Reporting only to the contracting officer could delay or derail a proper investigation, and informing the IG alone might miss the immediate law-enforcement response needed for jurisdictional cases. Taking no action would fail to meet mandated responsibilities and could allow harm to continue.