Subject : Query on Dept of Commerce grants

I'm not sure why the questioner assumes that there are differences
in Commerce treatment between public and private universities.
For whatever it is worth , our institution ( public) is one of the largest
recipient of Commerce funds from many units within Commerce. We have
never encountered  the rpoblem stated in the query....I agree it is
intrusive and seems completely out of order. We would balk at
providing information which suggests personal liability as opposed to
institutional authorization.
I recommend a call to the folks at Council on Governmental Relations
( COGR) in D.C., if your institution is a member...