Big ideas help improve the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Danny Monahan
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base --  The Innovative Development through Employee Awareness Program rewards Airmen for ideas saving the Air Force money and resources.

"The IDEA Program is a means for improving the Air Force and recognizing those who are thinking outside the box," said Carol Overbey, Kirtland Air Force Base IDEA program manager.

Ideas to improve the Air Force cover every possible workplace condition and activity.

"An idea can be as basic as suggesting a light switch be installed in a central location," said Mrs. Overbey.
"Many of the ideas submitted are often very simple in nature, but have a large impact on the Air Force."

Ideas can be worth up to $10,000 to submitters if validated as providing tangible savings. Awards are based on first year savings. Ideas providing benefits are worth $200.

"An example of an intangible benefit is someone suggesting we replace a stop sign with a traffic light," said Mrs. Overbey. "There is no cost savings, but it could benefit the Air Force. Tangible savings is anything that reduces how much the Air Force spends, whether it is purchasing aircraft parts or office supplies."
Since the beginning of fiscal year 2011, the Kirtland AFB IDEA Program has awarded $12,200 to Team Kirtland members.

"It's a large amount of money, but we could be giving out more," said Rene Kallenberger, Kirtland AFB IDEA program manager. "We have this incentive program for people to come up with ideas, but the problem is we need more ideas."

Once an idea is approved, submitters receive an email from the IDEA program stating the value of the award. The Kirtland AFB IDEA program office then sends the required paperwork to the finance office, so payment may be made by direct deposit.

There is no limit to the number of ideas that an individual or group may submit.

"Although it can potentially take a while for an idea to be validated, it's a pretty simple task of filling out the form on the website to submit an idea," said Mrs. Overbey.

To submit an idea, visit https://ipds.randolph.af.mil. For more information, call 853-7720.