SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

TRACEN Cape May is located in a very uneconomic resort area. The cost of living here is very high, finding reliable employees for Federal employement is difficult, and BAH allowances for this area is ridiculous. The buildings are old and we spend far more money renovating them than if we were to simply relocate to the Navy RTC. There would also be several intagible quality of life improvement for the active duty personnel... more »

The USCG has a wasteful and inefficient policy that initiates a permanent change of station (PCS) move every time an active duty member is promoted to the next rank. This wasteful policy covers enlisted, Chief Petty Officers as well as officers.

There have been cases of enlisted members reporting to their next duty station, being promoted shortly thereafter, then immediately executing another PCS move, all within... more »

One of the largest issues is the complexity in getting to purchase materials/office equipment etc. locally. We are essentially forced to order from the corporations such as Unicor and GSA that charge ridiculous prices for their items. While perusing the website in order to purchase a lamp, I came across a 1300.00 lamp! Now I ask, what lamp is worth 1300 when you could easily drive to a local store, purchase an effective,... more »

Currently, a USCG program called the Ledet program augments a USN afloat vessel with a team of USCG Law Enforcement Officers and for all due purposes that USN vessel becomes a CG vessel during the boarding evolutions. This is limited to Law Enforcement only. I propose that this be expanded to allow for Search and Rescue and Maritime Domain Awareness. In my 17 years, I have always observed the Navy and their hundreds of... more »

In today's economy it is imperitive for Federal agencies to push for US made products as well as sustaining or creating US jobs.

My recommendation is that when Federal agencies (especially those within DHS) from a BEST VALUE procurement perspective purchase new equipment systems... by policy from the current administration & agency heads... be directed to give special positive consideration for companies that can show... more »

USCG Suspension and Revocation hearings for mariner licenses are heard by Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). The USCG could significantly reduce the travel costs and lost time for these officials by allowing hearings to be conducted via video teleconference.

These hearings are administrative in nature and published regulations already allow for these hearings to include telephone testimony, so adjusting to video teleconferencing... more »

At the end of the fiscal year we spend thousands of dollars on worthless equipment that we do not need or use for fear of loosing money in the next fiscal year. I work in a medical facility that just ordered me a camelback - BACK PACK DRINKING DEVICE-, while I apreciate it, I really dont need nor plan on using a camelback. This procurement was a direct result of a Spend Down. Something has to be done about this as... more »

Paper nautical charts are distributed to Coast Guard Cutters and other units on a regular basis by the Defense Logistics Agency. Many times these charts are not applicable to a unit's Area of Responsibility are discarded or placed in storage, never to be used. A large-scale review of chart distribution through the organization could save a significant amount of money in printing and shipping costs.

With BRAC under full effect it appears that there are opportunities to consolidate DHS bases of operation with DOD facilities. With multiple DHS facilities around the nation in rented or leased structures moving to facilities slated for closure or realignment by BRAC seems to make sense. There are multiple areas where alignment of DHS capabilities onto DOD facilities increases force protection and provides opportunities... more »

Currently, active duty members receive 100% free health care and only pay a small amount for dependent/family coverage.

I propose that all military members (USA/USN/USMC/USAF/USCG) contribute between $960 to $2400 per year towards their own health care coverage, scaled so that junior members pay the least ($80 per month) and senior members pay the most ($200 per month).

With nearly 1.2 million active duty members,... more »

Tired of lugging multiple cell phones, digital cameras, and chargers out to the field? How about letting you choose the ONE that you bring. Vote via the linked idea:

 

http://saveaward2011.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Voluntary-Use-of-Personal-Cell-Smart-Phone-to-Reduce-Gov-Costs/261281-10760

It's simple and has a lot of tangential benefits. Check out and vote for the full idea at:

 

http://saveaward2011.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Pilot-Video-Teleconferences-Eliminate-USCG-ALJ-Travel-for-S---R/279261-10760