WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in partnership with the General Services Administration, has launched a new program aimed at cutting wasteful federal spending while rewarding employees who help deliver measurable savings.
The Savings Award for Verified Efficiencies, or SAVE Program, empowers Treasury workers to identify unnecessary contract costs and propose reductions or cancellations. Verified savings can earn employees awards of up to 5 percent of the savings, capped at $10,000 per contract action.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the program reflects a shift in how the government manages taxpayer funds. “Through this strengthened partnership, Treasury and GSA are setting a new standard for responsible stewardship of public funds,” Bessent said. “Together, we are building a cost-saving model that can be scaled across government.”
GSA Acting Administrator Mike Rigas described the effort as a “cultural shift toward greater accountability,” saying the program combines GSA’s contracting expertise with Treasury’s fiscal oversight. “By empowering frontline federal employees to act decisively on wasteful contracts, we are driving a cultural shift toward greater accountability and efficiency government wide,” he said.
The SAVE Program draws on lessons from GSA’s Defend the Spend initiative, which identified ways to reduce contract costs. Under the new system, Treasury employees can submit documented proposals for savings. Each proposal is reviewed by the Office of the Procurement Executive before undergoing an independent review by GSA. Savings must be directly linked to the employee’s actions, and GSA concurrence is required before awards are issued.
GSA Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum said the program gives the federal workforce a stronger role in fiscal responsibility. “By rewarding the federal workforce, we are democratizing savings efforts across government and strengthening our collective role as responsible fiduciaries to the American taxpayer,” he said.
The Treasury-GSA partnership signals a broader effort by the Trump administration to push efficiency reforms across federal agencies, with the potential for government-wide expansion if the program proves successful.
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