R 171143Z FEB 12

ALCOAST 083/12
COMDTNOTE 5224
SUBJ: 2012 CAPTAIN NIELS P. THOMSEN INNOVATION AWARD SOLICITATION
A. COAST GUARD INNOVATION PROGRAM, COMDTINST 5224.13 (SERIES)
1. THIS ALCOAST SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2012 CAPTAIN NIELS P.
THOMSEN INNOVATION AWARDS OUTLINED IN REFERENCE (A).  THIS ANNUAL
AWARD PROGRAM RECOGNIZES THE EXEMPLARY EFFORTS OF COAST GUARD
INDIVIDUALS OR TEAMS WHO HAVE CREATED OR IMPLEMENTED INNOVATIVE
SOLUTIONS TO SERVICE CHALLENGES.
2. INNOVATION AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN TO DESERVING INDIVIDUALS OR TEAMS
IN EACH OF FOUR CATEGORIES:
    A. SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY,
    B. OPERATIONS OR READINESS,
    C. ADMINISTRATION, TRAINING, OR SUPPORT, AND
    D. THE CDR JOEL MAGNUSSEN INNOVATION AWARD FOR MANAGEMENT.
3. ALL COAST GUARD ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, CIVILIAN, AUXILIARY, OR
RETIRED PERSONNEL ARE ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES FOR
CONSIDERATION.  THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CONTRACT PERSONNEL MAY BE
ACKNOWLEDGED WHEN PART OF A PROJECT TEAM.
4. CAPTAIN NIELS P. THOMSEN INNOVATION AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE
SUBMITTED VIA THE INNOVATION DATABASE ON THE COAST GUARD DATA NETWORK
IN THE FORMAT PRESCRIBED AT
HTTP://CGWEB.PACAREA.USCG.MIL/PAIC/DATABASE.HTM.  IF UNABLE TO ACCESS
THE COAST GUARD DATA NETWORK, RESERVE FORCES EMPLOYEES AND COAST
GUARD AUXILIARISTS MAY COORDINATE SUBMISSIONS THROUGH THE INNOVATION
PROGRAM STAFF AT INNOVATION(AT)USCG.MIL.  ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE
FAVORABLY ENDORSED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMAND FOR AWARD
CONSIDERATION.
5. THE INNOVATION SUBMISSION PROCESS IS PERPETUAL.  INITIATIVE
DESCRIPTIONS AND AWARD NOMINATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED AT ANY TIME.
HOWEVER, THE DEADLINE FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE 2012 AWARDS CYCLE IS
6 APR 12. HEADQUARTERS, ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC AREA INNOVATION COUNCILS
WILL REVIEW NOMINATIONS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS OF
RESPONSIBILITY.  EACH COUNCIL WILL THEN FORWARD THE NOMINATIONS WHICH
BEST MEET EACH CATEGORIES SELECTION CRITERIA AS FINALISTS TO THE
COMMANDANTS INNOVATION COUNCIL (CIC) FOR AWARD CONSIDERATION.  THE
CIC WILL FORWARD FINAL AWARD SELECTION RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE
COMMANDANT FOR APPROVAL.
7. EACH NOMINATION PACKAGE IS CONSIDERED WITH OTHER NOMINATIONS IN
THE SAME CATEGORY BUT WILL BE JUDGED USING THE EVALUATION CRITERIA
OUTLINED IN REFERENCE (A) WHICH INCLUDES:
    A. PRESENTS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO SOLVING A SPECIFIC COAST
    GUARD CHALLENGE,
    B. HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED AT THE LOCAL,
    DISTRICT/AREA, OR NATIONAL LEVEL, AND
    C. INCREASES EFFICIENCY (REDUCES PERSONNEL HOURS OR RESOURCES),
    PRODUCTIVITY (GREATER CAPABILITY OR EFFECTIVENESS),
    INFORMATION SHARING OR RESOURCE COORDINATION, OR PROVIDES OTHER
    TANGIBLE OR INTANGIBLE PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS.
8. THE 2012 AWARD WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY ALCOAST IN MAY AND
FORMALLY RECOGNIZED AT THE 2012 INNOVATION EXPO SCHEDULED FOR 30 OCT
- 1 NOV 2012 IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.  EACH COMMAND ORIGINATING AN
AWARD-WINNER WILL RECEIVE A ONE TIME FY12 AFC-30 FUND AWARD TO
RECOGNIZE AND FURTHER PROMOTE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT DRIVES INNOVATION.
9. COMDT (CG-0951) COORDINATES THIS AWARD PROGRAM.  FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION, CONTACT CDR HUGH R. GRIFFITHS AT 202-372-4560 OR
INNOVATION(AT)USCG.MIL.
10. RADM PETER V. NEFFENGER, DIRECTOR OF COAST GUARD ENTERPRISE
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND DOCTRINE, SENDS.
11. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.