Awards competition seeks exemplary federal IT projects for recognition

The American Council for Technology (ACT) and the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) recently opened nominations for the eight annual Excellence.Gov awards program.

This year’s awards program focuses on the theme, "Improving Organizational Performance Using Information Technology." Federal government organizations are asked to nominate projects that harness IT to improve mission delivery to citizens, businesses, taxpayers, other government agencies and other end-users.

"This year, we want to demonstrate IT’s impact on the organization," said Andy Lieber, Awards Chair and Senior Manager at Grant Thornton LLP. "IT is a vital tool that assists the government in delivering its mission. We want to highlight IT projects that have improved the way in which the federal government does business."

A panel of judges, comprised of both federal government officials and industry executives, will evaluate each nomination for organizational improvements in areas such as the following:

* Reduced costs;

* Increased productivity;

* Improved management decision-making ability;

* Improved response time to customers (such as citizens, businesses, taxpayers and other government agencies).

Respondents must show how the specific project directly ties into their organization’s strategic plans. Requirements include listing the project’s performance objectives, along with the quantifiable and qualitative performance metrics that have been met.

Deadline for submitting nominations is Monday, Nov. 5, 2007.

The top 20 finalists, including the top five award winners, will be highlighted at an awards luncheon in March 2008.

To access additional information about the competition, including the nomination form, visit the ACT-IAC Web site: http://www.actgov.org/.

For specific questions about the awards program, contact Andy Lieber at 703-637-2791 or via e-mail: andrew.lieber@gt.com.