Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q:  Who can pitch a proposal in the FedPitch 2009 competition?

A:  You must be 18 years of age or older to participate in the FedPitch 2009 competition. You do not have to be a current federal employee to pitch your idea.

Q:  What topic can I pitch?

A:  You can pitch any topic related to federal workforce management. For example, your pitch could be an innovative way to attract and recruit people to federal public service or a new approach for retaining, engaging, motivating, rewarding, developing, or leading the federal workforce. 

Q:  Can I pitch my idea with a friend or colleague?

A:  No, all pitches must be presented by one person only.

Q:  How much time do I have to pitch my idea?

A:  You have up to 2 minutes to pitch your idea. You do not need to use the entire 2 minutes for your pitch. If your presentation exceeds 2 minutes, a timekeeper will signal you to stop.

Q:  When and where does the FedPitch 2009 competition take place?

A:  The FedPitch 2009 competition will be held on May 7, 1:30-3:00pm, in the main tent on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of Public Service Recognition Week.  Finalists must appear in person to pitch their ideas before a panel of judges and a live audience.

Q:  If I want to pitch an idea, how do I enter the FedPitch 2009 competition? 

A:  To enter a proposal to present at FedPitch 2009 , entrants must log on to the FedPitch web site (www.FedPitch.org) between 12:00:00 am Eastern Time (“ET”) on 3/4/09 and 11:59:59 pm ET on 4/4/09 (the “Entry Period”) and click on the "Submissions" link. Each entrant must enter his or her name and contact information and a written summary of his or her proposed pitch in 1500 characters or less, including spaces and punctuation (approx. 300 words in length). Each entrant may submit only one proposal for FedPitch 2009.

Q:  How will the FedPitch 2009 finalists be determined?

A:  A proposal review committee will assess submitted pitch proposals and narrow the proposals to 20 finalists and 5 alternates. The proposal review committee will be composed of 5 to 10 individuals (one to two individuals designated by each of the five FedPitch sponsor organizations). The committee will use the following criteria in assessing the proposals: demonstrated need, feasibility, originality, and potential impact. The committee will determine the specific method for assessing the proposals using these four criteria.

Q:  If I am a finalist in the competition, may I use overhead slides as part of my presentation?

A:  No, individuals pitching at the FedPitch 2009 event are NOT allowed to:

• Read from a prepared written pitch.
• Use any props, prototypes, flipcharts, overheads, hand-outs, etc.
• Wear t-shirts, hats, pins, or other articles of clothing or adornment with an organizational or company name, brand name, slogan, logo, or similar information.
• Promote any products and/or services from any non-governmental organization during the presentation.

Q:  How will the panel of judges evaluate the pitches during the FedPitch event?

A:  The judges for FedPitch 2009 will rate each pitch using five criteria: (1) demonstrated need, (2) feasibility, (3) originality, (4) potential impact, and (5) presentation. All five criteria will be weighted equally. 

Q:  Who is sponsoring the competition?

A:  FedPitch 2009 is being initiated by 13L, a group of mid-career federal employees, and is co-sponsored by the Partnership for Public Service, Young Government Leaders, American University’s Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation, and the International Public Management Association for Human Resources.