Furthermore, “To support agencies in the execution of prizes that further the policy objectives of the Federal Government, the Administration will make available a web-based platform for prizes and challenges within 120 days. This platform will provide a forum for agencies to post problems and invite communities of problem solvers to suggest, collaborate on, and deliver solutions. Over the longer term, the General Services Administration (GSA) will also provide government-wide services to share best practices and assist agencies in developing guidelines for issuing challenges. Additionally, GSA will develop, as expeditiously as possible, a contract vehicle to provide agency access to relevant products and services, including technical assistance in structuring and conducting contests to take maximum benefit of the marketplace as they identify and pursue contest initiatives to further the policy objectives of the Federal Government.”

A small item I find particularly interesting is found listed in the memo among the potential benefits of offering such prizes: “Capture the public imagination and change the public’s perception of what is possible.” This lofty language is inspiring, and hopefully will lead to agencies more actively reaching out the public for input and ideas, and the public will be more likely to respond with the allure of a prize.

NextGov and Information Week also report on the memo and provide more context.