ALCOAST 447/24 - NOV 2024 2024 CAPTAIN NIELS P. THOMSEN INNOVATION AWARDS SOLICITATION

R 262000Z NOV 24 MID120001585134U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 447/24
SSIC 5224
SUBJ: 2024 CAPTAIN NIELS P. THOMSEN INNOVATION AWARDS SOLICITATION
1. This ALCOAST solicits nominations for the 2024 Captain Niels P.
Thomsen Innovation Awards.
2. The U.S. Coast Guard Strategy relies on every member of our
Service embracing "a culture of innovation [that] will help us
quickly develop new solutions to the most pressing problems and
deploy them seamlessly into everyday mission execution." Each year,
the Coast Guard celebrates the creativity of our members by
recognizing the most impactful innovations from across the Service
through the Captain Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Awards.
3. The 2024 Innovation Awards will be presented to deserving
individuals and/or teams in the following six categories:
    a. Science or Technology
Science or Technology nominations enable effective, efficient, and
secure operations across all USCG missions by applying scientific,
engineering, analytic, and innovative approaches to deliver timely
solutions and support.
    b. Operations or Readiness
Operations or Readiness nominations demonstrate capability to
efficiently deploy, operate, and maintain the systems and procedures
to reduce operational risks while supporting the USCG to expand its
current capabilities and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) across
the Coast Guard's missions.
    c. Administration, Training, or Support
Administration, Training, or Support nominations enhance planning,
organizing, staffing, training, directing, supporting, or
coordinating to improve the current and future readiness of our
service members.
    d. Culture Change
Culture Change nominations allow the USCG to evolve the
organizational culture by reinforcing practices that help us achieve
our diversity and inclusion goals while raising USCG morale. Some
examples may be eliminating systemic inequities, promoting
diversity, equity, and inclusion, and emphasizing leadership and a
positive command system to sustain mission excellence.
    e. Coast Guard Auxiliary Achievement
Auxiliary Achievement nominations highlight innovative solutions
involving the USCG auxiliarists to aid USCG operations. Some
examples may be improving recreational boating safety or enhancing
crew training for the auxiliarists.
    f. The CDR Joel Magnussen Innovation Award for Management
CDR Joel Magnussen Innovation Award for Management is dedicated in
memory of CDR Joel Magnussen, the recipient of the 2003 Innovation
Awards in the category of Administration, Support, and Training, for
his initiative to establish D7 University. A new category was
established for Innovation in Management in honor of his passing in
October 2003, and the nominations call for exemplary efforts that
have implemented innovative solutions to challenges faced by the
USCG.
4. A new CG_Ideas@Work challenge to collect 2024 Innovation Award
nominations can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg-ideasatwork.ideascalegov.com/

You can also access CG_Ideas@Work through the Coast Guard Innovation
link on the Pixel Dashboard.
5. Nominations shall describe the innovative solution and capture
how the solution positively impacted the Service. Nominations that
do not fit into one of the above categories are also encouraged to
apply - the innovation program will determine which category is the
best fit. Final award winners will be selected by the Coast Guard's
Research, Development, and Innovation Leadership.
6. All Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary
personnel are eligible to participate.
7. The final day to submit nominations for the 2024 Innovation
Awards is 31 January 2025. Submission instructions can be found
within the challenge description on CG_Ideas@Work.
8. For information on last year's winners and to learn more about
the Coast Guard Innovation Program, visit:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/cg9/rdt-e/innovation/

9. Please direct any questions to CG Innovation Program office at:
Innovation@uscg.mil.
10. Mr. James L. Knight, Deputy Assistant Commandant for Acquisition
(CG-9D) and Ms. Lisa R. Schleder-Kirkpatrick, Deputy Assistant
Commandant for Capabilities (CG-7D), send.
11. Internet release is authorized.