IDEA program ingenuity competition underway

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program began a base-wide competition this month, designed to promote the best in job ingenuity among various squadrons here.

The squadron whose Airmen provide the highest number of approved ideas will be awarded a trophy for their success.

Airmen are encouraged to submit their ideas before Dec. 14 for a chance to not only save the Air Force money but prove their potential in trade ingenuity, and highlight their squadron's efforts.

The IDEA program is an Air Force sponsored initiative that has allowed Airmen an opportunity to improve their work environment in a more resourceful and efficient way.

The program has proven to be popular, racking up more than 3,900 idea submissions Air Force-wide during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2012. More than 1,300 have been approved, validating savings of $42 million.

According to Hamilton, within the past fiscal year Minot AFB had almost 80 ideas submitted. He explained ideas submitted can range anywhere from making changes to the Air Force Portal online to improving the way resources are used in offices.

"If it is within the Air Force's private control, then we can accept virtually any idea," Hamilton said.

He added the monetary rewards were always a plus, ranging anywhere from $200 to the maximum of $10,000. Long term cost savings theoretically offset any award given, which is why monetary rewards can be offered to those with proposals.

"In the past few years there have been three individuals here who saved the Air Force several million dollars, so they each received a $10,000 award," said Hamilton. "Submitting an idea can be very rewarding, especially if it can save the Air Force money and be implemented on all bases."

Hamilton suggested those interested in submitting an idea spend a little extra time doing some background research behind their idea and to be detailed on how much it can save the Air Force.

"The hardest part in this process is determining if an idea is original and eligible," said Hamilton. "Once we determine that an idea is not duplicate, we send it to a point of contact who will review it and see if it is a feasible idea."

Hamilton encouraged Team Minot Airmen to show the ingenuity they have to offer when it comes to work efficiency and looked forward to the ideas to come.

Those interested in submitting a proposal, can log onto the IDEA Program Data System at https://ipds.randolph.af.mil to create a profile and start sharing suggestions. For more information contact the IDEA program manager at 723-3900.