September 23, 2009, the administration kicked off an contest for federal employees. The challenge? To propose the best idea to cut the federal budget.
Details on the competition are available at SAVEAward.gov, a secure Web site operated by the Office of Management and Budget and restricted to government workers. The SAVE site, which stands for Securing Americans Value and Efficiency, allows federal employees to submit cost-cutting ideas through October, 14, 2009. The SAVE Award is part of the President’s commitment to a line-by-line review of the Federal budget.
A team of Office of Management and Budget officials will recommend the best submissions to President Obama and a winner will be announced in November.
Submissions will be 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 by:
- Improving the quality of output at lower costs; or
- Simplifying processes to reduce administrative burden; or
- Improving the speed of government operations to improve efficiency?
- Does the idea have a tangible impact on citizens’ lives or environment?
- Is there a clear and practical plan for implementing the idea?
- Will it be possible to begin realizing ?
“The president and I believe it’s important to hear the voices of those on the front lines,” said Jeffrey Zients, the White House chief performance officer and former chairman of the management consulting firms the Advisory Board Company and Corporate Executive Board. “I’ve seen these kinds of contests work in the private sector, and I believe there is nothing like a contest to motivate people,” Zients said. “Americans across the country know that the best ideas often come from workers — not just management,” he said. “That’s why we’ll establish a process through which every government worker can submit their ideas for how their agency can save money and perform better. We’ll put the suggestions that work into practice. And later this year, I will meet with those who come up with the best ideas to hear firsthand about how they would make your government more efficient and effective.”