Call for nominations

This week, Federal Computer Week begins the annual call for nominations for the Federal 100 awards program.

The Fed 100, now in its 14th year, recognizes those individuals in government and industry who played pivotal roles in the federal world of information technology in 2002. As always, the key to winning is demonstrating clearly that the nominee had an unusual impact on the IT community because of uncommon dedication, inspirational ideas or risk-taking. The awards recognize actions, ideas and visions that go beyond the daily responsibilities of the individuals' jobs.

The winners, chosen by a panel of judges picked from top managers in government and industry, are part of an all-star team, recognized for their 2002 accomplishments, not for lifetime achievements.

The awards are not a popularity contest, but recognize bold thinking and actions that not everyone will think of as positive. Controversy is expected, but everyone can agree that the winners had an impact on how federal IT was used, bought or managed in 2002.

When making nominations, think of the key trends, events and ideas that helped shape the direction of federal IT management and procurement. What were the hot topics and imaginative procurement and managerial concepts that shaped IT policies and use? It could be a new way of buying and financing IT programs, or the judges could choose someone who developed a new set of guidelines or policies that changed the IT landscape.

What IT programs broke new ground? Real people were behind those ideas and changes. Those people will in all likelihood make good candidates for the Fed 100 awards.

So, as we have done so many times in the past, we invite our more than 86,000 readers to visit our Web site at www. fcw.com, click on the Federal 100 logo and fill out the electronic form to nominate a government or industry employee who made a difference.

The deadline for nominations is Jan. 3, 2003. So nominate early and often.