Jul 18, 2012

Hope Lane

No Comments

 Email This Post

409 view(s)

Budget Cutting Continues, President Obama Seeks Federal Employee Ideas

President Obama believes the best ideas usually come from the front lines. That’s why in 2009 he launched the SAVE Award (Securing Americans Value and Efficiency), seeking ideas from federal employees to make government more effective and efficient and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely especially in anticipation of sequestration.  Between now and July 24, 2012, federal employees can participate in the 2012 SAVE Award.

Over the past three years, federal employees have submitted more than 75,000 cost-cutting ideas through the SAVE Award.  Dozens of the most promising ideas have been included in the President’s Budget, specifically in the Cuts, Consolidations, and Savings volume. Over the past two years, dozens of SAVE ideas were included in the President’s Budget proposals.

The goal of the SAVE Award is to produce ideas that will yield savings while also improving the way that government operates. As such, submissions are judged according to the following criteria:

• Does the idea reduce costs in a way that is concrete and quantifiable?
• Does the idea improve the way that government operates?
• Can the idea be implemented administratively by the Executive Branch or would it require an act of Congress?

Creativity counts!  Take a look through previous submissions to avoid repeating ideas that come up again and again.  In many cases, the Administration is already in the process of implementing popular past ideas.  These include: double-sided copying, moving print publications online, reforming GovTrip, and turning off lights after hours.