The deadline for nominations is Monday, April 10, 2017.
The 2017 AFCEA Bethesda InnovateIT Awards: Recognizing the Best in Government-wide InITiatives recognizes individuals or groups whose contributions in information technology have significance beyond their organizations. These contributions represent achievements that advance business and citizen interaction, which lead to improved effectiveness, cost-savings and leadership that meet national priorities and serve as a model of excellence government-wide.

2017 Award Categories

LEADERSHIP AWARD CATEGORIES
 
Outstanding Achievement Award – Civilian
The highest civilian government award is presented to the civilian government leader who has exemplified outstanding management to achieve efficiencies, effectiveness and provide leadership to spearhead IT initiatives that have delivered extraordinary results for our citizens.
 
Outstanding Achievement Award – Department of Defense
The highest Department of Defense government achievement award is presented to the DOD government leader who has exemplified outstanding management to achieve efficiencies, effectiveness and provide leadership to spearhead IT initiatives that have delivered extraordinary results for our citizens.
 
Outstanding Achievement Award – Citizen
The highest citizen recognition award is presented to the industry or government citizen who has exemplified outstanding dedication for the betterment of the federal IT community. 
 
Emerging Leader of the Year – Government
This government leadership award is presented to the government employee who demonstrates enthusiasm to learn and develop their own leadership credentials and is innovative in thought process and action. Government employees who are either new to the field, with up to five years of experience, or are 35 years of age or younger are eligible to compete for this award.
 
Emerging Leader of the Year – Industry
This industry leadership award will be presented to the member of the federal IT contracting community who demonstrates enthusiasm to learn and develop their own leadership credentials and is innovative in thought process and action. Federal IT vendor employees who are either new to the field, with up to five years of experience, or are 35 years of age or younger are eligible to compete for this award.
INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM AWARD CATEGORIES
 
Technology Trailblazer
The award recognizes an individual or a team that uses emerging technology to address mission needs. Examples include, but are not limited to: 3-D printing, internet of things (IoT), and cognitive computing.
 
Mission Excellence Enabler
This award recognizes a person or a team on the program side that has partnered with IT to drive mission value or to solve a mission challenge in a creative manner. Examples include, but are not limited to: digital government, energy and the environment, geospatial, big data and health IT.
 
Data Dynamo
The award recognizes an individual or a team that has advanced creative approaches for more efficient and effective use of data in solving mission challenges. Examples include, but are not limited to: data driven decision-making, using data to proactively identify problems, and data driven applications.
 
Workforce Development Trendsetter
This award recognizes an individual or a team that has advanced creative approaches for strategic workforce planning as well as innovative training and development programs that have resulted in a more engaged and prepared IT workforce. Examples include, but are not limited to: creative workforce training, better workforce engagement and leadership development programs.
 
Security Forerunner
The award recognizes an individual or a team that has adopted innovative techniques to combat security threats and put in place more effective defensive techniques. Examples include, but are not limited to: financial security, fraud detection and cybersecurity.

You will need to answer the following questions to submit your nomination:

 

  1. Describe the challenge the nominee addressed. Examples include: improving services or the use of services; reducing risks or complications; developing or leveraging new techniques, ideas, or technologies; reducing costs, time, resources, or complexity; expanding programs, market share, or the use of technology or technique.
  2. Describe the approach the nominee used to arrive at a solution. Examples include: performed research, gathered a team of experts or working group; identified needs, requirements, skills, or competencies; or, developed a pilot, module, system, process, model, or training curriculum.
  3. Describe the role and/or characteristics of the nominee in developing or executing the approach or solution. Examples include: leadership, initiative, resourceful, or champion.
  4. Describe the results of the effort and/or the benefit(s) derived from the result. Examples include: achieved the goal in x amount of time, developed new processes and procedures that were implemented or adopted; reduced costs, time resources; saved lives, expanded services; or, the solution was adopted by other organizations.
  5. Additional Information: Please use this section to list web sites, video links, media, awards or any other information you would like the judges to consider. Also, if this is a group nomination, please list the remaining team members with contact information.