4/1/08 DMS Recognized with 2008 Prudential Financial-Davis Productivity Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2008
CONTACT: JAMES MILLER, (850) 921-5266
~ Employees save taxpayers money, increase efficiency ~
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Department of Management Services Secretary Linda H. South today announced the agency received six Prudential Financial-Davis Productivity Awards. The program honors public employees whose innovation and productivity help make government more efficient and save taxpayers money. The initiative is chaired by Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp and co-sponsored by Florida TaxWatch, The Florida Council of 100 and the State of Florida.
"The Department of Management Services strives to save state resources while allowing state agencies to provide their vital services to the citizens of Florida," said Secretary South. "I am proud of our team for finding new and innovative ways to be good stewards with taxpayer money and for finding new and improved efficiencies."
Two DMS teams in particular received some of the highest levels of recognition available. The DMS Florida Operation Wireless 2-1-1 Team received one of the top ten awards for developing a cost-effective solution to standardize how wireless calls are routed to 211 call centers throughout the state. The 211 system serves as a lifeline for some citizens by providing them information about critical resources such as emergency financial assistance, crisis hotlines, shelters, employment opportunities and more. Previously, each call center negotiated arrangements with individual wireless providers. Team members Raghib Qureshi and Mohammad Amirzadehasl brought together various SUNCOM technologies to create an innovative system saving the state more than $500,000.
The MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) Process Improvement Team was also recognized for developing, coordinating and executing a comprehensive and extensive training program for the MFMP system upgrade. The upgrade reached more than 2,100 administrators and buyers for 27 state agencies. MFMP is the state's online purchasing system for employees and vendors. Team members Debbie Gries, Rachael Lieblick and Lori Potts standardized the purchasing process for state agencies enabling users to access the system more efficiently and effectively.
| SUNCOM Wireless Voice Section Team for the engineering design and implementation of the 2-1-1 FLAIR-FLOW system. | $1,500 |
| MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) Process Improvement Team for developing and executing a comprehensive training system for the MFMP upgrade. | $300 |
| Public Purchasing Training Services Procurement Team for developing a state contract for public purchasing training services. | Plaque |
| The Creative Enhancement Team for Address Changes for automating retiree address changes via a Web-based process. | Certificate of Commendation |
| Robin Collins for developing a downloadable version of the 1099-R Forms for retirees. | Certificate of Commendation |
| MyBenefits Web site Creation Team for creating an interactive state benefits Web tool that helped employees better understand the benefits options available to them. | Certificate of Commendation |
The 2008 awards competition attracted 489 nominations for innovation and productivity improvements worth $322 million in cost savings, cost avoidances and increased revenue for state government. Since 1989, award winners have produced more than $5.9 billion worth of added value. The awards are given at formal award ceremonies and luncheons statewide in June.