ICMA's Program Excellence Award for Innovations in Local Government Management recognizes one or more local governments that have successfully applied the concepts of reinvention, reengineering, TQM, customization, or other cutting-edge organizational tool. In 2001, ICMA presented the award in the greater-than-50,000 population category to the city of San Diego, California, and City Manager Michael T. Uberuaga for the city's Public Contract Operations program. This article describes the program, a formal partnership that strengthens labor-management relations by spotlighting and nurturing the ingenuity and determination of public employees as they strive to provide the most efficient results. Learn more about ICMA's Annual Awards program.