How to Win NAFA’s 100 Best Fleets Award: Lessons from a Veteran Judge

This article is based on a recent episode of The Fleet Success Show podcast. Watch the episode below:

Each year, hundreds of public and private sector fleets compete for recognition on NAFA’s prestigious 100 Best Fleets list. But with only 100 winners (and growing competition) you need more than good intentions and high uptime to make the cut.

So how do the best fleets stand out?

In a recent episode of The Fleet Success Show, RTA CEO Josh Turley sat down with Steve Saltzgiver, longtime NAFA judge and fleet veteran, to share exactly what separates award-winning fleets from the rest.

Here’s what we learned.

1. Answer Every Question Completely

Sounds basic, but it’s one of the most common mistakes applicants make. Incomplete answers often disqualify fleets from serious consideration. Make sure you address every prompt and back your answers with specific, measurable data.

A good FMIS will provide you with the metrics to tell a compelling story. For example, RTA Fleet360 consolidates all KPIs required for competition benchmarking into one centralized dashboard, making it easier to evaluate performance, identify trends, and prepare for competition submissions from a single source of truth.

2. Tell Your Story Like a Marketer

Raw data doesn’t inspire. Storytelling does. Successful applications weave a narrative around their culture, values, and operational wins. Charts, team photos, and transformation timelines help paint a compelling picture.

3. Understand Fleet Benchmarks

Many fleets assume they’re doing great based on internal comparisons or anecdotes. But top fleets know where they stand against national benchmarks for metrics like:

• PM compliance
• Technician productivity
• Fleet availability
• Labor rates

Tools like RTA Fleet360’s Fleet Success Scorecard can help you measure and benchmark your performance against your peers.

4. Use AI With Caution

With tools like ChatGPT, it’s tempting to draft your application in seconds. But Steve warns that judges can immediately spot AI-generated content. If you do use AI, edit it extensively to make it authentic, and accurate.

5. Get Feedback and Keep Applying

Whether you make the top 100 or not, reach out to the judges. They’ll explain where your application fell short and what you can improve. Each submission becomes a learning opportunity and a step toward operational excellence.

Why This Matters

For fleets at risk of outsourcing, the NAFA 100 Best program is more than a trophy. It’s proof of performance. A strong application not only increases your odds of winning but also helps you:

• Justify continued in-house maintenance
• Show data-driven performance improvements
• Recognize your team’s hard work
• Build stakeholder trust

Final Thought:

The NAFA 100 Best program rewards consistency, culture, and commitment to improvement. Even if you don’t win the first time, applying can be the catalyst your fleet needs to improve operations and showcase your value.