In conjunction with the launch of the SAVE Program, which rewards frontline federal employees for suggesting ideas that reduce wasteful spending on contracts, the Department of the Treasury and the General Services Administration are collaborating to provide that avenue for attaining up to $10,000. SAVE has been designed to harness the power of scientists in public employment, allowing them to replicate a successful scalable strategy for cost-saving initiatives across the federal government.
Program overview and goals
Active employees of the Treasury could submit an action plan that entails things such as stopping unnecessary contracts, scaling back work, or identifying better procurement methods, all of which should result in demonstrable savings. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remarked that the program is “a new benchmark in responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds,” also noting that this model could serve as a prototype for other agencies attempting to cut down on overhead costs.
SAVE recognizes the inefficiency of organizing a survey of employees to highlight inefficiencies. Knowing that employees have extensive knowledge of their programs, SAVE focuses on tapping employees’ interests. This idea was derived from GSA’s previous triumphant “Defend the Spend” initiative, illustrating the value insights from the front lines have toward optimizing contract results while reducing costs associated with expenditures.
Eligibility conditions and application process
Non-Senior Executive Service (SES)-grade employees of the Treasury, specifically those of a GS and GS-equivalent grade level, can take part in the program. These employees, approximating over 100,000 in total from various bureaus including IRS and U.S. Mint, can propose the cancellations of contracts, descoping actions, or other modifications that would lower costs in their program areas.
Each submission must include:
- Describing the proposed action and justification.
- Supporting documents or data about the projected savings.
- Evidence showing how such an idea is directly tied to the responsibilities of the employee.
These will be submitted through an Internal Treasury portal that records proposals and thus facilitates the review workflow.
Two-tier validation and award calculation
SAVE has a rigorous two-tier verification system to ensure transparency and accuracy First of all, accomplishment has to be endorsed by the Treasury’s Office of the Procurement Executive (OPE) and then it will be reviewed by GSA, which sees into the following: data, justifications of savings linked to contract termination or scope reduction, and these savings have to be traces to the submitting employee’s efforts. An award is only moved forward by both agencies’ acquiescence.
It shall avail the approved proposals financial reward amounting to 5% of the verified savings, up to a $10,000 maximum for each contract action. This gives incentive alignment between employees and taxpayers so that employees would have to show their worth in getting savings measurable.
Early adoption and future growth
GSA and Treasury plan to make this model government-wide, even though initially, SAVE applies to Treasury. The program “epitomizes inter-agency collaboration at its best,” said GSA Acting Administrator Mike Rigas, because it married procurement know-how with fiscal oversight to spur culture change toward accountability. It is possible other federal entities would adapt SAVE if successful, creating a standard across the government for incentive-based savings.
Employee and taxpayer benefits
SAVE does pay cash rewards for federal employees. It recognizes their contributions to operating an efficient government. Employees win the chance of applying their first-hand knowledge in solving real budget problems. Contract costs will decrease, keeping dollars free for critical mission services, according to taxpayers.
Best practices to maximize impact
Research the contract terms based upon historical spending patterns. Work with the contracting officer and program manager as soon as possible. Clearly and factually justify any proposed changes. Tracking implementation milestones will provide evidence that verification review occurred.
To this end, those best practices would improve the credibility of their proposals and, thus, generate considerable savings.
The SAVE Program launches to reflect a growing commitment within the Trump administration to apply business-style tactics to federal operations. While the Treasury and GSA refine the initiative and gather initial results, the rest of the government will watch closely whether SAVE is, in fact, an avenue to sustained efficiency gains. With as much as $10,000 hanging on promising cost-saving ideas, the program provides federal employees a compelling impetus to pursue innovation and accountability in contract management.
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