White House launches contest for best money-saving idea

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White House officials launched the 2013 President's SAVE (Securing Americans Value and Efficiency) Award contest July 31.

The annual contest encourages federal employees to submit ideas for innovative ways to reduce spending, save taxpayer dollars, and create a more efficient and effective government.

The winner of this contest will have the opportunity to present his or her idea directly to President Barack Obama.

Borne out of the president's belief that the best ideas often come from those on the front lines, federal employees have submitted more than 85,000 ideas during the last four years through the SAVE Award.

Recommendations have ranged from implementing new measures that conserve energy and eliminating paper copies of publications that are available online, to using ground shipping instead of next-day service when mailing non-urgent packages.

These simple, yet innovative ideas are already making a difference. The President's last four budgets have included more than 80 SAVE Award proposals that are saving hundreds of millions of dollars and improving the way government operates, according to White House officials.

All contest submissions are confidential and can be submitted via www.whitehouse.gov/save-award by August 9. If you have questions about the contest, please submit them to DoDSaveAward@osd.mil.

Leaders are encouraged to support their personnel to participate, as this effort is an important way to generate a more efficient and effective government for the American people.

(Courtesy of Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs)