What's up, DOC? At the US Department of Commerce (DOC), the answer to that question could go on for a while. A Cabinet-level department, the DOC is responsible for a variety of key government functions, such as fostering domestic and international trade, promoting economic growth and job creation, issuing patents, and supporting technological development. It oversees a dozen bureaus, including the US Census, NOAA, the EDA, and the US Patent and Trademark Office. Leveraging its bureaus it collects and analyzes economic, US population, and other data and serves as an advisor to the president. The DOC's budget is approximately $7.5 billion. The forerunner of the DOC was established in 1903.