143-345.23. Suggestion and review process; role of agency coordinator and agency evaluator.

(a) The process for a State employee or team of State employees to submit a cost-saving or revenue-increasing proposal shall begin with the employee or team of employees submitting the suggestion or innovation to an agency coordinator. The agency coordinator, in conjunction with an agency evaluator, shall review the suggestion or innovation for submission to the State Review Committee established in G.S. 143-345.24.

(b) An agency coordinator shall be appointed by the head of each participating agency to serve as liaison between the agency, the suggester, the agency evaluator, and the NC-Thinks office. The duties of the agency coordinator shall include:

(1) Serving as an information source and maintaining sufficient forms necessary to submit suggestions.

(2) Presenting, in conjunction with the agency evaluator, the recommendation for an award to the State Suggestion Review Committee.

(3) Working in conjunction with the agency evaluator to process a particular suggestion or innovation within 180 days, except when there are extenuating circumstances.

An agency may have more than one coordinator if required to provide sufficient services to State employees.

(c) An agency evaluator shall be designated by the management of the implementing agency to evaluate one or more suggestions. The duties of an agency evaluator shall include:

(1) Receiving from the agency coordinator and reviewing within 90 days, when possible, the feasibility and effectiveness of cost-saving or revenue-increasing measures suggested by State employees.

(2) Being knowledgeable of the subject program, activity, or service.

(3) Determining, in conjunction with the agency fiscal officer, the budgetary impact of a suggestion or innovation.

(4) Judging impartially both the positive and negative effects of a suggestion or innovation on the current functions of the subject program, activity, or service.

(d) The Director of the Office of State Human Resources shall be responsible for general oversight and coordination of NC-Thinks. The State coordinator shall be an employee of the Office of State Human Resources. The State coordinator shall be responsible for day-to-day NC-Thinks program management and administration of the technical aspects of the program. The State coordinator shall be an ex officio voting member of the State Suggestion Review Committee.