About
Welcome To The FedElecTag Website
Launched in September 2018, this web-based platform represents the sole source for a Federal fleet communications campaign, and is not commercial solicitation (e.g., project status, videos, brochures, web-based survey forms, industry and competitor updates, patent/trademark updates, etc.). The goal is to use all available tools to build traction and to persuade others for the Federal Government Electronic Tag (FedElecTag) adoption.
This platform presents a real-world “playbook” that can serve as a bellwether or gold standard approach for Federal IT modernization efforts. This approach predates, but also aligns with the General Services Administration (GSA) Technology Business
Management (TBM) 7-Step Playbook and the GSA 10x Tech Funding 4-Phase Process released March 2019, both designed to assist Federal agencies with TBM implementation. Also see the FedElecTag project roadmap.
The platform also allows for stakeholders to join and engage with a web-based Federal fleet community crowdsourcing platform for collaboration that leads to solutions (i.e., to reinforce a two-way dialogue to gather information). It also serves as a listserv portal used to communicate with potential Federal government industry partners, pilot partners, and others who will take the technology and transition/commercialize the product capabilities.
Our Story
The FedElecTag digital license plate platform is an employee-inspired initiative dating back to March 2013, which was submitted as an employee suggestion under the General Services Administration (GSA) Open Government Initiative program. Although ahead of its time in 2013, interest was renewed in May 2017 as part of ongoing Federal research and collaboration relating to a Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) business development proposal. This effort ultimately led to the creation of the Federal Fleet Business Transformation (FFBT) movement, commencing in late 2017 with early-phase discovery and engagement activities with Federal fleet stakeholders.
Fast forward to 2019. The President’s Management Agenda (PMA), Federal IT Modernization, and advancements with digital license plate technology are paving the way for change. The FFBT movement is in line with modernization efforts, and represents a progressive IT modernization approach designed to investigate innovative products and services beyond just vehicles. The FFBT is leading the way for the Federal fleet community to: 1) modernize and streamline fleet management protocols, processes and systems; 2) increase productivity and security; and 3) improve customer experiences and Federal services by implementing an enterprise-wide digital license plate platform.
Timeline |
|
| December 2012 | FedElecTag Conception |
| March 2013 | U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Application |
| March 2013 | GSA Open Government Initiative Employee Suggestion |
| December 2015 | USPTO Patent Granted |
| May 2017 | UNICOR Business Development Program Employee Suggestion |
| August 2017 | Office of General Counsel Patent Rights Clearance and Ethics Compliance |
| August 2017 | UNICOR Considered Tentative Project as “Technically Feasible” |
| December 2017 | Launched Federal Agency Communications Campaign |
| January-February 2018 | Traction Gained with Federal Officials at FedFleet 2018 |
| March 2018 | Release of the PMA Focusing on IT Modernization |
| May 2018 (Ongoing) | Outreach and Engagement with Federal Industry Partners/Private Sector Vendors |
| September 2018 | Launched FedElecTag Website in Line with PMA and IT Modernization Initiatives |
About the Employee-Inspired Technology
Technology
The FedElecTag ( U.S. Patent No. 9,221,405 ) digital license plate is a multi-function electronic display license plate system and smart device that operates on the connected cars and/or the Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, and offers unlimited opportunities for regulating the use of vehicles. The enhanced system replaces UNICOR’s 115-year-old metal license plate design, and results in an E-License Plate/Telematics one-stop shop solution, Federal agency savings (i.e., cost-saving procurement options and time-saving automated processes), efficient fleet operations, and compliance with Executive Order 13834 sustainability mandates. The cloud-based fleet solution ultimate goal is to help Federal agencies effectively and efficiently manage fleets within budgetary limits, while meeting mission requirements.
Technology Innovator
The technology innovator was inspired to create the FedElecTag with the goal of harnessing his creativity, while also making significant contributions to the advancement of the U.S. President’s technology agenda and society as a whole. He is a current Federal government employee, in which his career spans 18 years making significant contributions to the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and Department of Veterans Affairs. His proven track record demonstrates the ability to examine operations, introduce innovative strategic solutions, and present opportunities that often improve efficiencies and competitive performance.
Specifically, he has led nationwide economic impact studies and has coordinated with Federal government senior officials regarding the advancement of the U.S. President’s technology agenda, which ultimately led to his filing and grant of U.S. Patent No. 9,221,405 (“Multi-Function Electronic Display License Plate System”). He currently holds four U.S. patents, and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and two separate Master’s degrees in Business Administration (MBA) and Computer Information Systems (MSCIS). This notable specialized experience also is in line with fleet industry emerging programs such as the Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association (AFLA) Mini-MBA Program.
Target Audience
This platform is designed for open communication and collaboration with stakeholders and decision makers within the Federal fleet community. A due diligence search identified various key stakeholders within the Federal fleet community per their background, expertise, and role in fleet. For example, their knowledge of fleet telematics per Executive Order 13693 (Sec. 3(g) “telematics at a vehicle asset level”); or their prior involvement with documenting fleet telematics experiences resulting from the May 2014 Government Accountability Office report (GAO 14-443 Federal Vehicle Fleets). Listed here are key stakeholders.
Federal Fleet Managers
There are over 40 Federal government fleet managers (typically GS13-15 with supporting staff) responsible for the Federal fleet of 600,000+ vehicles servicing over 2 million employees across 529 components (e.g., 53 combined large/medium agencies, 18 cabinet-level agencies, and 4 military branches).
The GSA Motor Vehicle Policy Division
Develops government-wide policies to provide a structured framework for Federal agencies to achieve economical and effective management processes for government motor vehicle assets.
GSA Fleet Solutions
Dedicated to investigating innovative products and services beyond just vehicles.
GSA Acquisition
Develops requests for proposals (RFP) that are focused on “Open Statement of Objectives” for collaboration with Federal industry partners regarding innovation to solve problems.
Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR)
Produces Federal license plates per 41 CFR 102-34.140 (Made in USA), in which UNICOR already has determined that the E-License Plates project is “technically feasible.”
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
The DHS, Cyber Security Division (CSD) is designed to support research, development, and testing of advanced cybersecurity and information assurance technologies. It also ensures that cyber-physical systems and Internet of Things (IoT) security vulnerabilities are identified; and it also has a focus area on developing technology solutions for automotive initiatives.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
The NIST supports the development of computing and communications systems that are usable, scalable, interoperable, and secure via its components such as the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE), the Cybersecurity IoT Program, the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), and the Computer Security Division (CSD). The CSD specifically is designed to conduct security research and implement prototypes to test proposed concepts. Project related areas of technical expertise are Biometrics, Blockchain, Cryptography, Derived Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credentials, Human-Machine Interfaces, Identity Management, Mobile/Wireless Systems, Security Automation, etc.
Federal Industry Partners
The Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract provides for telecommunications and networking infrastructure services. The EIS contract 10 industry partners have a deep-rooted history of serving Federal agencies with standard and customized lifecycle solutions that support mission goals.
Organizational Change Management (OCM) Strategy
Ensures that stakeholders are prepared for potential change in systems and processes relating to the FedElecTag by having effective change leadership, communications, stakeholder engagement and outreach, training, and impact assessments.
FedElecTag OCM Vision
- Provide a structured framework to ensure organizational readiness across all impacted organizations for potential transformation
- Deliver effective and timely communications, relevant training and clear understanding of organizational impacts
FedElecTag OCM Goals
- Identify and engage key stakeholders to facilitate the successful design and adoption
- Reduce resistance to change across the Federal fleet community through timely and relevant communications and training initiatives
- Facilitate organizational readiness by fostering enthusiasm, ensuring buy-in and a high-level of interest for the FFBT initiative within the Federal fleet community and external stakeholder groups
- Enhance understanding of the vision driving the FFBT initiative, and the organizational benefits that will result from a successful program implementation
- Accurately manage the expectations of the FFBT initiative stakeholders through documenting achievements as well as barriers
Call To Action
- Join the web-based FedElecTag fleet community crowdsourcing platform on IdeaScale
- Support and partner to help with the initiative (build, spread, sustain)
- Engage with focus groups (vet ideas, surveys, etc.)
- Engage with customer discovery efforts (touch points, pain points, desired gains)
- Share and obtain feedback from other stakeholders
- Collaborate with identifying top FedElecTag initial prototype features (minimal viable product)
- Assist in determining appropriate funding sources
Crowdsourcing Platform
The FedElecTag team has chosen the IdeaScale crowdsourcing platform (also known as “community of practice”) and is governed by the IdeaScale privacy policy and Terms and Conditions for Government Users. The FedElecTag crowdsourcing site functions as a private community for Federal fleet stakeholders, and represents a sounding board platform to start the conversation. The collection of ideas and feedback are essential to project progression, and will inform the future direction of Federal fleet solutions typically implemented by UNICOR, the General Services Administration (GSA), and others. Leadership of these Federal agencies possibly could adopt this platform, or create a similar “community of practice” platform (e.g., GSA Interact and U.S. Emerging Citizen Technology Atlas).
Note that currently there are no direct policies about setting up and managing a government crowdsourcing platform. However, it is common practice that members of any Federal government community use official .gov or .mil email addresses. No commercial communications or endorsements are permitted. Any external listserv communications are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
For more information, visit https://fedelectag.ideascale.com/.