How to get an "Intrapreneur Bonus"
and also create a demand signal for critical technologies
The “Federal Incentive Awards Program” was established in in 1954 by the Government Employees' Incentive Awards Act, Title III of Public Law 763.
The law established a Governmentwide program to encourage all employees to improve the efficiency and economy of Government operations.
The Act provides agencies with the authority to recognize Federal employees who by their "...suggestions, inventions, superior accomplishments, or other personal efforts contribute to the efficiency, economy, or other improvement of Government operations or who perform special acts or services in the public interest in connection with or related to their official employment."
In addition to monetary and honorary recognition provided by the 1954 Act, the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act (FEPCA) of 1990 gave agencies additional authority to grant employees time off from work as an award. The Incentive Awards Program continues to provide flexibility for Federal agencies to design programs that will support their particular missions and objectives.
Historical Examples of Federal Employees Who Have Received Monetary Awards for Participation
Martin Church and Joseph McGee, Air Force, suggested a change in the requirement for radio multiplexers: Tangible benefits: $5.4 million Award granted: $25,000*
Jo Ann Bowens and Wanda Clark, Air Force, developed an automated system to improve the accuracy and timeliness of reconciling and auditing contracts: Tangible benefits: $25 million+ Award granted: $35,000
Kahlid Qudsi, Stephen Franc, Mark Kuzma, and Kevin McGee, Navy, developed a Video Imagery for Intelligence Operations Network (VISION): Tangible benefits: $36.4 million Award granted: $50,000
Sidney Logemann and Jeffrey Horner, HHS/SSA, developed an automated notices program, which enables field offices to be more productive and to send more professional-looking notices to the public: Tangible benefits: $8.8 million Award granted: $35,000
Jesse Smiley, Army, developed an improved method to shut off water flow at hydroelectric dams under emergency conditions: Tangible benefits: $8.9 million Award granted: $25,000
Jack Worthen, Jr., Air Force, suggested that damaged aircraft engine kits scheduled for disposal be routinely inspected to identify repairable parts: Tangible benefits: $19 million Award granted: $35,000
* NOTE: Awards granted to individual employees for more than $25,000 require Presidential approval.
A Few of the Current Suggestion Programs
(there are many more!)
Join us for our next *in-person* national security innovation themed speakeasy, the last Wednesday of every month, at the Brass Rabbit in Arlington, Virginia, from 6-9pm - so that means next week on April 26th!
Can’t make it next week but want to be sure to join us in the future? Here are some more dates to bookmark:
p.s. you may have noticed we have added a new subscriber level for the SILICON NATION (www.TheSiliconNation.com) newsletter called “private party” - we have a few special people who are in that group already, and we’d love to have you join. We’ll be planning some professional get-togethers just for this group in the national capital region, and then nation-wide. Join the private party level.