ALCOAST 026/09
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ:  CAPTAIN NIELS P. THOMSEN INNOVATION AWARD PROGRAM
A.  CAPTAIN NIELS P. THOMSEN INNOVATION AWARD, COMDTINST 1650.8
(SERIES)
1.  THIS ALCOAST SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2009 CAPTAIN NIELS P.
THOMSEN INNOVATION AWARDS.  THIS ANNUAL AWARD PROGRAM RECOGNIZES
THE EXEMPLARY EFFORTS OF COAST GUARD INDIVIDUALS OR TEAMS WHO HAVE
CREATED OR IMPLEMENTED INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO USCG CHALLENGES.
2.  INNOVATION AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN TO AN INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM IN
EACH OF FOUR CATEGORIES:
    A.  SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY
    B.  OPERATIONS OR READINESS
    C.  ADMINISTRATION, TRAINING, OR SUPPORT
    D.  THE CDR JOEL MAGNUSSEN INNOVATION AWARD FOR MANAGEMENT
3.  ALL COAST GUARD ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, CIVILIAN, AUXILIARY,
RETIRED, OR CONTRACT PERSONNEL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS AWARD.
NOMINATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED VIA COAST GUARD INTRANET AND SHALL
FOLLOW THE FORMAT PROVIDED AT HYPERLINK
HTTP://CGWEB.PACAREA.USCG.MIL/PAIC/DATABASE.HTM.  NOTE: IN ORDER TO
BE CONSIDERED, EACH NOMINATION MUST HAVE A COMMAND ENDORSEMENT.
4.  AWARD NOMINATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED YEAR ROUND, HOWEVER, THE
DEADLINE FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE 2009 AWARDS IS 31 MAR 09.
HEADQUARTERS, ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC AREA INNOVATION COUNCILS WILL
REVIEW NOMINATIONS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY.
EACH COUNCIL WILL FORWARD TO THE COMMANDANTS INNOVATION COUNCIL,
THE TOP NOMINATION FROM EACH CATEGORY THAT BEST MEETS THE SELECTION
CRITERIA.  THE COMMANDANTS INNOVATION COUNCIL WILL REVIEW THE
NOMINATIONS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COAST GUARD CHIEF OF
STAFF, WHO WILL MAKE THE FINAL AWARD SELECTIONS.
5.  EACH NOMINATION PACKAGE COMPETES DIRECTLY WITH OTHER
NOMINATIONS IN THE SAME CATEGORY AND WILL BE JUDGED USING THE
FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
    A.  AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO SOLVING A SPECIFIC COAST GUARD
CHALLENGE,
    B.  BE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED AT THE LOCAL, DISTRICT/AREA, OR
NATIONAL LEVEL,
    C.  INCREASES EFFICIENCY (REDUCED PERSONNEL HOURS OR
RESOURCES), PRODUCTIVITY (GREATER CAPABILITY OR EFFECTIVENESS),
INFORMATION SHARING OR RESOURCE COORDINATION, OR PROVIDES OTHER
TANGIBLE OR INTANGIBLE PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS.
6.  AWARD WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY ALCOAST IN MAY 09 AND WILL
BE FORMALLY RECOGNIZED AT THE 2009 INNOVATION EXPO IN VIRGINIA
BEACH, VA SCHEDULED FOR 17-19 NOV 2009.  THE COMMANDANTS INNOVATION
COUNCIL FUNDS EXPO ATTENDANCE FOR INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS AND UP
TO TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH TEAM AWARD WINNER.  EACH COMMAND
ORIGINATING AN AWARD-WINNER WILL RECEIVE 10,000 DOLLARS IN FY09
AFC-30 FUNDS TO RECOGNIZE AND FURTHER PROMOTE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT
DRIVES INNOVATION.
7.  COMMANDANT (CG-0931) COORDINATES THIS AWARD PROGRAM.  POINTS OF
CONTACT ARE CAPT C. P. CALHOUN, 202-372-4560 OR MR. FRED HOOGHOUSE,
202-372-4579.  BOTH MAY BE REACHED AT INNOVATION(AT)USCG.MIL.
8.  VADM C. I. PEARSON, CHIEF OF STAFF, SENDS.
9.  INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.