The Federal Excellence Program Award recognizes those high-performing enterprise-level Federal programs and offices that not only meet but exceed basic standards, delivering measurable impact and superior value to stakeholders.
As the Federal Government continues to evolve, the critical themes of leadership, change, efficiency, operational excellence, and lasting impact must take center stage. Honorees embody a forward-thinking approach marked by innovative, impact-driven partnerships and a culture that champions outcome accountability and continuous improvement. Their commitment to empowering employees, leveraging data for precision in decision-making, and maintaining agility in an ever-changing landscape sets the standard for excellence in government operations.
Join us in April as we come together to officially recognize and celebrate the honorees at the 2026 FXP | Elev8[X] event: Where Visionary Leadership Meets Operational Excellence Details here.
This year’s FXP Program and Office Honorees include:
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | AI Explorers Program
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | Crushing Fraud Initiative
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | Medicare Coverage Tools Program
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | Medicare Payment System Modernization (MPSM)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | Office of the Chief Medical Officer
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | HQ | Acquisition Office
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) | USCIS Office of Information Technology, Business Architecture Development & Strategic Specification Design (BADSSD)
- Department of the Treasury | CIT IT Support Services Office
- Department of Veterans Affairs | Ambient AI Scribe Program
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) | Integrated Healthcare Transformation (IHT) 2.0 Program
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) | Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
- Department of Veterans Affairs | Strategic Initiatives Lab
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) | SEWP Program Office
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) | Business Operations Division
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) | National Weather Service Weather Information Access & Dissemination (WIAD), OSTI / MDL
- U.S. Army | HQDA DCS G-6 NC4SI Special Access Program (SAP) Division
- U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) | Fire & Emergency Services Certification Program
- U.S. Air Force | Logistical Feasibility Analysis Capability (LOGFAC)
- DODHRA |Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC)DOW | U.S. Air Force | Air University Distance Education Modernization Program (Air Force Global College)
- U.S. Navy | Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division | Small Business Office
- U.S. Navy | EXMED C4IT Program (Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium, MTEC)
- U.S. Special Operations Command | Office of Small Business Programs
Federal Excellence Program Characteristics Overview
FXP Honorees are recognized for embodying the qualities of a high-performance Federal organization. These characteristics go beyond meeting basic standards—they drive measurable impact and enhance efficiency, directly contributing to the organization’s success and delivering superior value to stakeholders.
The eight distinguishing characteristics are:
- Innovative, Impact-Driven Partnerships:
The organization excels at forging dynamic, efficient collaboration with industry leaders and key stakeholders. By aligning with best practices and leveraging joint expertise, these partnerships yield innovative solutions that enhance service quality and operational performance. - Empowerment with Outcome Accountability:
Employees are empowered with the autonomy and resources necessary for decisive action, fostering a strong sense of ownership. This empowerment is coupled with clear, measurable goals that ensure every action contributes to increased efficiency and significant organizational impact. - Commitment to Continuous, Efficient Improvement:
A culture of relentless improvement drives the organization to consistently refine processes and eliminate inefficiencies. By routinely evaluating operations and embracing change, the team achieves higher productivity levels and delivers tangible, impactful results. - Enhanced Employee Engagement for Greater Efficiency:
Prioritizing a workplace where employees are both engaged and satisfied, the organization creates an environment that boosts morale and productivity. High engagement leads to more efficient workflows, reduced turnover, and a sustained impact on performance outcomes. - Data-Driven Decisions for Targeted Impact:
Decision-making is firmly anchored in robust data analysis, ensuring that strategies are both efficient and outcome-focused. This evidence-based approach allows for precise planning and the execution of initiatives that produce clear, measurable improvements. - Agility and Responsiveness to Drive Efficiency:
With a nimble structure that adapts quickly to change, the organization maintains operational excellence and seizes emerging opportunities. This agility ensures that challenges are met with swift, effective responses that preserve efficiency and maximize impact. - Purposeful Leadership and Vision:
Leaders set a clear, compelling vision that inspires and directs the organization toward high-impact outcomes. Their strategic guidance fosters a culture of efficiency and a unified drive toward exceeding performance expectations. - Strategic Employee Development:
Investment in continuous learning and development equips employees with the skills necessary to enhance operational efficiency. By nurturing talent and encouraging growth, the organization sustains its competitive edge and creates lasting, measurable impact.
Some of this sounds familiar? The 2026 FXP Award is a sister program related to Elev8 GovCon. While Elev8 GovCon Honorees represent the government technology and innovation partners that have demonstrated they hold themselves to higher standards for culture, impact and performance, FXP is focused solely on government programs and offices.
