FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council’s (ACT-IAC) Institute for Innovation yesterday announced and honored the winners of the 2016 Igniting Innovation Awards. The overall winner of the 2016 Igniting Innovation award was myUSCIS digital services provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This new service shifts traditional call centers to digital services with the purpose of offering USCIS customers a wider range of online services. myUSCIS provides up-to-date information about the application process for immigration benefits, tools to help prepare for naturalization, and resources to find citizenship preparation classes and other resources in their community. myUSCIS was chosen by popular vote, and a judging panel of industry IT leaders also presented Dynamite Awards in four categories to the following organizations:
- Impacter – IdentityTheft.gov: Lockheed Martin and Federal Trade Commission
- Game Changer – HealthMap: Epidemico
- Transformer – Ares Mobile Biometric Solution: InCadence Strategic Solutions
- Incubator – DHS CMSI PushButtonPD™: Cyber Management Support Initiative, Department of Homeland Security
“Across the entire government we are seeing leaders and employees confront legacy challenges with resourceful and innovative solutions to help improve mission readiness,” said Mike Howell, Senior Director of the Institute for Innovation. “All of the Igniting Innovation nominees, and especially the finalists, are inspiring those in the government community to bring forth creative ideas that are leading to a culture of innovation. We are excited to be able to provide a springboard where innovation is encouraged, and we look forward to seeing how the participants shape the future of government.”
During his keynote presentation, Aaron Snow, executive director and co-founder of the General Services Administration’s 18F, applauded the Igniting Innovation finalists for their dedication and efforts to improve how government operates and delivers services. Aaron expressed that culture shifts happen when trust and confidence is built and this foundation will allow for sustained cohesiveness. He drew on his experience of providing digital delivery, consulting, infrastructure, and acquisition services to nearly every major federal agency to highlight that delivery only works if it is done together and that he experiences this at Igniting Innovation.
The Igniting Innovation Showcase and Awards recognizes government and industry participants at the national, state and local level who have developed a solution, tool or service to address some of the government’s biggest IT challenges. The program provides opportunities for government and industry to explore the Top 40 finalists’ innovations during a “science fair” style exhibition. The Top 8 finalists are selected by attendees through social media voting and then give a “Shark Tank” style presentation to judges, and government and industry attendees. For more information about the Igniting Innovation Awards program and winners and to see video of the Top presentations, please visit https://www.actiac.org/events/igniting-innovation-2016
About ACT-IAC – Advancing Government Through Education, Collaboration and Action
ACT-IAC is the premier public-private partnership in the government IT community and an example of how government and industry work together. ACT-IAC is a nonprofit educational organization created to advance government through collaboration and education. The organization provides an objective, vendor and technology-neutral and ethical forum where government and industry are working together to develop innovative strategies, effective and efficient solutions and best practices. Headquartered in the Greater Washington, D.C. area, ACT-IAC also has chapters in Pacific region (based in San Diego) and the Rocky Mountain region (based in Denver).
Learn more about our organization and how to become a member at http://www.actiac.org or call (703) 208-4800. Connect with ACT-IAC Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.