SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Too often over my career as a contractor and Federal employee, I’ve noticed that software tools are often purchase without sufficient requirements from all possible organizations who could benefit from it or its output. If requirements were requested, obtain and weighed, the end result would be a better fit for the needs of the organization as a whole, not just the one group that requested it.

The cost savings can... more »

Similar to rollover budget and end of year spending.

Every year with about 2-3 months left in the fiscal year, not just my Field Office, but I'm sure every agency within the U.S. Government spends the rest of their budget, out of fear of not getting the same amount or more money the following year, and I'm sure as a way to justify asking for more funding. Field Offices should be able to spend what they need to complete... more »

Far too many military members are sent on deployments with inadequate gear. Far too many people volunteer to be deployment managers and have NO experience with the equipment they order or even know how to use it. The programs need people who are familiar with current needs, know the good/bad of the gear and are ordering the best equipment at the lowest price. We have troops being sent overseas with old m16 magazines that... more »

If the people hired for vacant positions had the skills for the job the government would spend a great deal less monetarily trying to mold the people into what they need. When that individual may have skills more appropriate to a different position. That goes for upper managment positions too.

There are thousands of processes in our society that could be made more energy efficient. In this forum, people bring up ideas that concentrate in one area or another...waste, water, electicity, automobiles, ect...The ability to conserve is out there all around us, but the vast majority of people do not participate to the least extent. Why? Are they unaware? Or unmotivated? I think our leadership, local and national,... more »

I propose a solution that improves the government's use of funds in a sustainable, green, efficient manner that fosters education and creativity while linking the country together and allowing kids to create and explore. I propose the government catch up and do what private industry has been doing for decades. Places like RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching) combine industry “waste” and turn trash into treasures for teachers... more »

There are three major acquisition agencies that provide facility design, construction & management services for the Federal Government. These are GSA, ACOE and NAVFAC. There is extensive duplication of resources across these three agencies that would be eliminated if consolidated into one agency. Both the "military" organizations of ACOE and NAVFAC should be eliminated and the workload shifted to GSA.

Overall Goal

Instead of different military and Government agencies( Navy, USCG, Army, Air Force ) trying to be self sufficient and wanting to have/own various assets to meet their mission needs, these agencies should work together, share and co-ordinate their resources and assets, so that if not as Individual agencies but when united they are self sufficient.

Issue:
Various Government agencies own/acquire assets such... more »

Every quarter the SSA employees publish Oasis, a magazine distributed internally for the employees of the Social Security Administration. It is packed with information on the changes within the organization; however, this magazine could be published via the intranet instead of spending the money to print, ship, and distribute the magazine amongst the employees. I don't know if other agency have such publications, but... more »

The Federal Government could realize a significant cost savings by eliminating the need for the unecessary purchase of materials and hiring of staff which might already exist and be available at any given agency for a short-term period. In essence this would entail an updated contact listing of resources to include physical materials, human assets, and expertise. For example, if an agency had the need for the services... more »

Implement the bed management system software and resources, system-wide for maximum utlization of resources, bed capacity and reduced (or none) wait time in emergency department; implement a Bed Czar to manage the hospital-wide process for best usage of resources and staff.

Why does a completely tax exempt organization voluntarily throw away billions of dollars by paying taxes on travel? I travel a lot for the Navy and detest that taxes for TDY travel expenses are charged to my government credit card. Though the Government Treasury will get the taxes back, for the Navy and the Program Office (PMA), those funds are lost. Those lost and unrecoverable funds, which can quickly add up to billions,... more »