Applications for the Leading Fleets award are now open. The award, open to government fleets, recognizes operations that are performing at a high level in fleet innovation and leadership. The award is sponsored by Ford Motor Company, and applications are due March 4.

Government Fleet magazine and the American Public Works Association will name 50 Leading Fleets, with the top 20 being ranked. Additionally, there will be winners for No. 1 overall fleet, No. 1 small fleet (499 or fewer assets), No. 1 mid-size fleet (500-999 assets), and No. 1 large fleet (1,000 or more assets).

The judges for the 2016 award are managers are: Paul Condran, fleet services manager for the City of Culver City, Calif.; Craig Croner, CPFP, administrative services manager, City of Boise, Idaho; Sam Lamerato, CPFP, fleet superintendent, City of Troy, Mich.; Pete Scarafiotti, CAFM, CEM, CPFP, fleet director and automotive engineer, City of Mesa, Ariz.; and Doug Weichman, CAFM, director of fleet management, Palm Beach County, Fla.

Criteria for the award will include:

• How an operation prioritizes and exhibits leadership within their team, with customers, within their community and within the overall fleet community.

• How an operation ensures competitiveness and efficiency.

• The future vision of the operation and leadership steps taken to get there.

• How an operation addresses and overcomes its biggest challenges.

The recipients of these and other awards will be honored at the Government Fleet Expo & Conference during The Honors Celebration on June 21. Winners will be featured in Government Fleet magazine's special awards issue in July.

For more information and to apply, click here.