SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Why are federal employees expected to wear suits and ties during summer? The summer dress code for all federal workers should be changed to business casual [including golf shirts] and the ambient indoor temperature of federal office buildings should be increased 5 degrees. Employees will be more comfortable at work and commuting on mass transit, no more complaints about overly air conditioned offices, and the government... more »

The government spends thousands to millions of dollars making plastic IDs for their government employees each year. When these IDs expire or their beholder leaves his/her position, they are then tossed into the trashed and disposed as waste; waste destined to sit in a landfill. Why not recycle them? By making IDs out of recycled plastic and then recycling the IDs themselves after use, the government could not only increase... more »

Being a college student, I really don't have a budget to get items I need ( like books, hangers, whatever) so I often turn to the service Freecycle--which I guess inspired me with this idea. Since each Department is complied of many offices, I think we should create an inter-office supply network. Similar to the website/program Freecylce, offices within each Department can post wanted ads for supplies they need and offices... more »

The federal government should track performance of the taxpayer dollars in programs and initiatives that have proven records of success and fix or end programs that do not.

The status quo within the federal government does not support this claim. Paperless filing could help move the government in that direction in the following ways:

1. Smarter data tracking- Paperless files can be pulled into databases; data can then... more »

Our workdays are frequently interrupted by "blast" emails intended for broad audiences. These emails serve as random interruptions that break up the rhythm of our work-tasks, and reduce our attention span and productivity. There are many peer-reviewed scientific journal articles supporting the negative effects of random distractions on attention and productivity, including reductions of our energy and efficiency. This... more »

There is too much fraud related to getting social security and disability benefits. For someone to receive any one of these benefits, the paperwork should be notarized and submitted with a fraud disclaimer indicating that if the information is falsified, criminal punishment will occur. This should also be signed by any doctor or educator that indicates that a person cannot work or learn due to a disability. If the... more »

I still don't understand why we have all these agencies, departments, divisions and we use many different tools to pay employees. I shudder to think about all the money that we waste upgrading all these systems individually when we could maintain one system for all employees. Sure it would take some time to build and of course money, but in the long run it would ensure a consistent experience for employees and ease... more »

Have a lottery for the National Debt .

There are many good ideas to save money by altering usage of postage, office supplies, paper, etc. I propose two different and specific avenues to save money, at least within FSIS.
First, there should be a revamping of the FSIS Field Supply Center so that quantities for all products are listed on the website. In this way, if a person orders 10 reams of paper, 10 cases of paper reams are not sent or one dozen gloves... more »

Simply stop minting the penny. It wouldn't be missed and the government would save vast amounts in acquisition, labor, distribution, and mgt costs.

The Rollover Budget Initiative (RBI) would allow units to maintain their annual budgets without being penalized for not fully utilizing the last year’s budget. Any remaining money from a fiscal year would be the base amount for the next fiscal year, which will then have additional money added to meet the unit’s requested budget. For example, if a unit requests $10,000 and has $2,000 left over from the previous year, that... more »

My idea is to have one security clearance, or background check to cover all, or at least most agencies. For example right now a person can already have a Top-Secret clearance with the Department of Defense, and they would have to start a background investigation all over again if they were to apply with another agency, even if it’s only for a Secret clearance. They would have to fill out the same SF-86, the same eQip... more »

Require warmer facility temperatures in summer and cooler facility temperatures in winter. Encourage people to dress appropriately for the season. Most facilities could change their temperatures a degree or two with little difference in occupant comfort. Over the entire federal government a huge cost savings can be recognized. Unoccupied spaces can be adjusted more significantly.

Turn off computer monitors at night. Computer monitors can always be turned off at night. Computer upgrades can occur with monitor screens switched off. Leaving computer monitors on at all times is a huge waste of energy and dollars. It is completely unneccessary!! Let's save those dollars! Let's save that energy! It will also cut our greenhouse gas emissions!

Turn off lights that are not in use. This can be done manually, with sensors or by utilizing daylight. This will save money, energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.