BOP-64.001 Admin Chg 1, Employee Recognition Policy
To provide general policy on the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) awards used to primarily recognize NNSA employees and, in some cases, contractors. These awards are in addition to performance awards described in the NNSA Performance Management and Performance Pay Manual, dated September 2008. The purpose of the NNSA and DOE Awards/Recognition Program is to recognize and reward the accomplishment and contributions of individuals and/or teams based on performance, special acts or service, or other noteworthy achievements.
Replaces NNSA's Performance Management and Recognition Manual, dated 10-1-06.
Associated DOE Directive:
Document text
Text extracted from the attached file. Refer to the original document for the authoritative version.
Section 1
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: INITIATED BY:
http://hq.na.gov Office of Management & Administration
NNSA POLICY LETTER
Approved: 06-11-10
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION POLICY
NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Office of Management and Administration
BOP-64.001
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION POLICY
1. PURPOSE: To provide general policy on the Department of Energy (DOE) and National
Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) awards used to primarily recognize NNSA
employees and, in some cases, contractors. These awards are in addition to performance
awards described in the NNSA Performance Management and Performance Pay Manual,
dated September 2008. The purpose of the NNSA and DOE Awards/Recognition
Program is to recognize and reward the accomplishment and contributions of individuals
and/or teams based on performance, special acts or service, or other noteworthy
achievements. In all situations, recognition should be commensurate with the employees’
performance. It is incumbent upon supervisors to provide written justifications stating
the work-related accomplishments for the award. Details regarding nomination
requirements, including forms to be used to justify and process the various awards, can be
found in the Processing Guidance for Recognition Awards.
2. CANCELLATIONS: This will replace NNSA’s Performance Management and
Recognition Manual dated October 1, 2006.
3. APPLICABILITY: This Business Operating Policy (BOP) applies to all NNSA Federal
employees. Contractor employees are only eligible for certain non-monetary awards
(various plaques and certificates) as described in the sections below. Eligibility coverage
of employees as applied to specific awards is addressed in each section when applicable.
4. REQUIREMENTS:
a. Multiple Forms of Recognition: Employees may not receive more than one form
of monetary recognition for the same accomplishment or achievement. If the
activity is covered in the performance plan, every effort should be made to
determine the single most appropriate form of monetary recognition or to reduce
the performance award amount by the amount received in the other form of
recognition.
b. Establishing and Granting Individual Office Awards: Heads of Offices may
establish other forms of non-monetary recognition as long as they are consistent
with the policies and principles reflected in this BOP. These recognition
programs must indicate the achievement being recognized, the type of recognition
(the nominal value must not exceed $50.00), and the criterion that must be met to
receive the recognition. Heads of Offices may establish such recognition and
approve individual awards. A copy of the document establishing the award must
be provided to the Office of Human Capital Management Programs through the
servicing Human Resources Office.
1
1
Naval Reactors, Civilian Programs Division contact:
http://hq.na.gov/HR/default.aspx?L=PAGE&ITEM=19036&CA=9&PI=1025
http://hq.na.gov/HR/default.aspx?L=PAGE&ITEM=19036&CA=9&PI=1025
BOP 64.001 2
06-11-10
If an office, establishing such recognition, wishes to include a monetary award or
time off award as a component of the program, the Director of the Office of
Human Capital Management Programs must approve the criteria for and amount
of the monetary award to ensure regulatory compliance. If approved, the
servicing Human Resources Office will process the monetary/time-off component
upon granting the individual award.
Section 2
5. RESPONSIBILITIES:
a. Administrator, NNSA:
(1) Establishes NNSA Awards/Recognition Programs.
(2) Annually designates the percentage of payroll to be used for award
purposes.
(3) Approves monetary awards for NNSA employees greater than $7,500 up
to $10,000.
(4) Recommends approval of NNSA nominations for awards that require
approval or endorsement by the Secretary of Energy.
(5) Approves all NNSA Honor Awards (Distinguished Service Gold,
Distinguished Service Silver, Excellence - Bronze Medal, Distinguished
Career Service, Flag of the United States, Linton F. Brooks Medal for
Dedication to Public Service).
b. Associate Administrator for Management and Administration: Approves the
Recognition program Policies and Procedures.
c. First-tier Managers (includes Deputy/Associate Administrators, Service Center
Director, and their Deputies):
(1) Approve monetary awards up to $3,000; Time-off Awards up to 27 hours;
or an equivalent combination of both cash and time off. This authority
may be redelegated, as appropriate, within each organization. Delegations
must be written in memorandum form with a copy submitted to the
Workforce Planning and Policy Division (NA-641) and the Office of
Human Capital Management Services. Compliance reviews are required
by the Program Offices.
(2) Approve monetary awards greater than $3,000 but less than or equal to
$7,500; Time-off Awards for 28 to 40 hours; or a combination of both
cash and time off. This authority may not be redelegated. Compliance
reviews are required by the servicing Human Resources Office.
Service Center/Site Offices contact page: http://scweb.na.gov/hr/contact.shtm
NA-1/SES contact page: http://hq.na.gov/HR/default.aspx?L=PAGE&ITEM=19036&CA=9&PI=1025
Headquarters Office of Human Capital Management Programs contact page:
http://hq.na.gov/HR/default.aspx?L=PAGE&ITEM=19036&CA=9&PI=1025
http://scweb.na.gov/hr/contact.shtm
http://hq.na.gov/HR/default.aspx?L=PAGE&ITEM=19036&CA=9&PI=1025
http://hq.na.gov/HR/default.aspx?L=PAGE&ITEM=19036&CA=9&PI=1025
3 BOP 64.001
06-11-10
d. Director, Office of Human Capital Management Programs:
(1) Develops a Performance Management and Recognition Program, policies,
and procedures.
(2) Periodically assesses the effectiveness of the Performance Management
and Recognition Program.
(3) Approves establishment of individual office awards that include a
monetary or time-off component.
e. NNSA Executive Resources Board (ERB): Makes recommendations to the
Administrator with regard to monetary award actions affecting employees
appointed under Excepted Service authorities at Pay Band V and for those
Excepted Service Pay Band IV employees with SES-equivalent pay.
f. Heads of Offices (Office Directors, Site Office Managers): Must provide a copy
of any individual office award document that establishes an award for their
respective office to the Office of Human Capital Management Programs through
the servicing Human Resources Office.
g. Supervisors/Managers (Requesting Officials):
(1) Use the NNSA processing guidance to complete the nomination package
in accordance with the Processing Guidance for Recognition Awards
document (nomination form, justification, and citation); obtain required
approval/signatures; forward nomination package to the servicing Human
Resources Consultant for compliance review (when required) and
processing.
(2) For non-monetary awards, follow the guidance specific to those individual
Section 3
awards.
(3) Obtain commemorative certificate and present the award to recipient after
processing is completed.
h. Directors, Office of Human Capital Management Services, NNSA Service Center;
Executive Resources and Office of the Administrator Services Division; Civilian
Programs Division, Office of Naval Reactors; and Human Resources Officer,
Naval Reactors Pittsburgh Office:
(1) Administer the Recognition Program for applicable NNSA organizations.
(2) Advise management on recognition issues.
(3) Publicize and provide training on the program.
(4) Process monetary awards and ensure they are in conformance with
statutes, regulations, and this BOP.
BOP 64.001 4
06-11-10
i. Human Resources Consultants: Provide advice and guidance, conduct compliance
review when required, and ensure award is processed and records are maintained.
6. TYPES OF RECOGNITION:
a. DOE and NNSA Monetary Awards:
(1) Special Act or Service Award
Description: Award can consist of either money, time off, or a
combination of both as long as the total value of the award given reflects
the value of the contribution being recognized. Maximum of $10,000 per
award unless approved by the Secretary of Energy and the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM). Maximum of 40 hours per time-off
award; maximum of 80 hours in any given year per employee. Time off
must be taken within 1 year of when the award was granted in order to
avoid forfeiture. See Attachment 1 or 2 to determine the dollar or time-off
amount that is appropriate.
Criteria: Recognizes achievements or accomplishments in connection
with or related to official employment, but outside of an employee’s
normal job duties or day-to-day requirements and non-recurring in nature.
Approval: Monetary Awards up to $3,000; Time-off Award Up to 27
Hours: Approval has been delegated to First-tier managers and can be re-
delegated, as appropriate, in each organization and as in compliance with
Paragraph 4.c.1) above. Compliance review conducted by the Program
Office.
Monetary Awards Greater than $3,000 but less than or equal to $7,500;
Time-off Award 28 to 40 Hours: Approval by First-tier Managers.
Compliance review conducted by the servicing Human Resources Office.
Monetary Awards Greater than $7,500 up to $10,000: Nominations
endorsed by First-tier Managers, compliance review conducted by the
servicing Human Resources staff, approval by the NNSA Administrator.
Monetary Awards Greater than $10,000: Nominations endorsed by First-
tier Managers, compliance review conducted by the servicing Human
Resources staff, approval by the NNSA Administrator, DOE Secretary,
and OPM.
Awards in Excess of $25,000: Nominations endorsed by First-tier
Managers; compliance review conducted by the servicing Human
Resources staff; approval by the NNSA Administrator, DOE Secretary,
and OPM. Requires Presidential approval.
Eligibility: NNSA and DOE Federal employees.
5 BOP 64.001
06-11-10
(2) On-the-Spot Award
Description: Award can consist of either money, time off, or a
combination of both as long as the total value of the award given reflects
the value of the contribution being recognized. Maximum of $500 or 16
hours per award (maximum of 80 hours time off in any given year). Time
off must be taken within 1 year of when the award was granted in order to
avoid forfeiture.
Criteria: Recognizes a significant deed or accomplishment performed
Section 4
with exceptional speed and quality under difficult or unusual
circumstances.
Approval: Up to $500 or Time-off Award up to 16 hours. Approval has
been delegated to nominee’s second-line supervisor (unless nominator is
the Administrator or First-tier Manager).
Eligibility: Federal employees.
(3) Linton F. Brooks Medal for Dedication to Public Service
Description: A monetary award may be given along with a medal, bearing
the likeness of former NNSA Administrator Linton F. Brooks, and an
engraved plaque. The award is presented by the NNSA Administrator and
Ambassador Brooks in an annual ceremony.
Criteria: Recognizes employees who have served no more than 5 years of
civilian Federal service and provided an extraordinary contribution to a
highly critical or highly sensitive product, activity, program, or service
that improves the effectiveness, efficiency, quality, productivity of a
program.
Approval: An Award Selection Committee comprised of a cross-section
of NNSA Senior Executives recommends a recipient to the NNSA
Management Council and the NNSA Administrator who
approves/disapproves Selection Committee’s recommendation.
Eligibility: Federal employees who have served no more than 5 years of
civilian Federal service.
b. Non-monetary Awards:
(1) DOE. The Department provides for many monetary and non-monetary
awards including the Secretarial Honor, Appreciation, and Departure
awards which NNSA employees are eligible to receive. These awards are
described in DOE Order 331.1B Chg 1, dated June, 27, 2001, the latest
Secretary’s Award Program overview document, and the NNSA
BOP 64.001 6
06-11-10
Processing Guidance for Recognition Awards. In addition to the awards
mentioned above, DOE also offers the following:
(a) Length of Service Recognition Award
Description: A pin and certificate depicting years of service.
Criteria: Recognizes employees who have completed milestones
(10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 years of service) in Federal Service.
Approval: Not required. Servicing Human Resources Office or
Program Office is required to verify years of service and request
pin and certificate for presentation to employee.
Eligibility: Federal employees.
(b) Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Award
Description: Gift cards in the amount of either $25 or $50. May
not exceed $125 in a calendar year for an employee. The
employee selects the gift card.
Criteria: Recognizes Headquarters employees whose
accomplishments represent steps toward achievement of
organizational goals. Usually given by peers.
Approval: Approval delegated to nominator’s and recipient’s
supervisors as long as funds are certified as being available from
the NNSA Office of Programming, Planning, Budget and
Evaluation.
Eligibility: DOE and NNSA Federal employees (Headquarters
only).
(2) NNSA
(a) Administrator Honor Awards
1 The Administrator’s Distinguished Service Gold Award
Description: Gold medal which bears the NNSA emblem
and commemorative certificate with citation.
Criteria: Recognizes consistently outstanding leadership
or other sustained achievements accomplished over an
extended period of time, usually a year or more, and
deemed by the Administrator to merit NNSA’s highest
award. This is the highest honorary award granted by
NNSA.
7 BOP 64.001
06-11-10
Approval: Requested by Deputy/Associate Administrator
of the organization proposing the award.
Eligibility: Federal and contractor employees.
Section 5
2 The Administrator’s Distinguished Service Silver
Award
Description: Silver medal which bears the NNSA emblem
and commemorative certificate with citation.
Criteria: Recognizes achievements which substantially
contribute to the accomplishment of the mission or major
programs of NNSA. This is the second highest honorary
award granted by NNSA.
Approval: Requested by Deputy/Associate Administrator
of the organization proposing the award.
Eligibility: Federal and contractor employees.
3 The Administrator’s Award of Excellence – Bronze
Medal
Description: Bronze medal which bears the NNSA
emblem and commemorative certificate with citation.
Criteria: Recognizes outstanding service or an established
record of achievement in the conduct or improvement of
NNSA programs or operations; accomplishment of
assigned responsibilities in an exemplary manner; the
demonstration of unusual initiative in contributing to
efficiency or improved management; outstanding executive
or technical ability; or unusual devotion to duty under
adverse conditions.
Approval: Requested by Deputy/Associate Administrator
of the organization proposing the award.
Eligibility: Federal and contractor employees.
4 The Administrator’s Bronze Coin
For information on the Administrator’s Bronze Coin, refer
to BOP 66.001.
5 Retirement – Flag of the United States
Description: U.S. flag that has been flown over all
installations within the NNSA complex and
commemorative certificate with citation.
BOP 64.001 8
06-11-10
Criteria: Recognizes senior-level employees leaving or
retiring from Federal service after a long and distinguished
career. Highest tribute that can be given to a departing
senior NNSA employee.
Approval: Bestowed solely at the discretion of, and
presented by, the Administrator. Concurrence of
appropriate first-tier manager; approval by the NNSA
Administrator.
Eligibility: Senior-level NNSA Federal employees (GS-15
equivalent and above) leaving or retiring after long and
distinguished career exceeding 20 years in service to their
country.
6 Distinguished Career Service Award
Description: Retirement plaque
Criteria: The highest level of recognition for career
service to the Government. Granted upon retirement to
employees who have made significant contributions during
their Government career.
Approval: Concurrence of first-tier manager (the Service
Center Director or a Deputy/Associate Administrator);
approval by the NNSA Administrator.
Eligibility: Retiring Federal employees who have a
minimum of 20 years of service.
(b) Immediate Recognition Coins. For information on Immediate
Recognition Coins, refer to BOP 66.001.
(c) Service Center Awards and Individual Office Awards. For
information on these awards, refer to the NNSA Processing
Guidance for Recognition Awards.
(3) Other Federal Agencies/Private Sector Awards
Description: Various types of plaques and coins.
Criteria: NNSA employees may be eligible for awards bestowed by other
Federal agencies and by private sector organizations. Examples: Service
to America Medal, Federal Engineer of the Year Award.
Approval: OPM’s website includes a calendar of honorary awards which
includes information about when nominations are due and links to
websites for each award.
9
Eligibility: Federal employees.
BOP 64.001
06-11-10
7. REFERENCES:
a. Employee Performance Management System, DOE Order 331.1 B, Chg 1, located
at: https:/ lwww.directives.doe.gov/directives/current-directives/331.1-BOrder
bcl/view
Section 6
b. 2008 Secretary Award Program Overview document signed by Secretary
Bodman, or the successor document, located at:
http://humancapital.doe.gov/resources awards dept.htm
c. NNSA Processing Guidance for Recognition Awards located at:
http://hg.na.gov/HR/default.aspx?L=PAGE&ITEM=3264&CA=9&0T=ll8&PI=
19212
d. Immediate Recognition Coins, BOP- 66.001 located at:
http:/ /hg~na.gov/default.aspx?L=ITEM&ITEM= 19658&fA=30&0T=86&PI= 187
32
e. Performance Management and Performance Pay Manual, September 2008 located
at:
htt,p:/ /hq.na.gov/HR/default.aspx?L=ITE~&ITEM=3277 &CA=9&0T=86&PI=3
264
8. POINT OF CONTACT: Office of Human Capital Management Programs (NA-64),
Workforce Planning and Policy Division (NA-641).
Attachments:
Gerald L. Ta bot, Jr.
Associate Administrator
for Management and Administration
1. Monetary Award Scale for Intangible Benefits
2. Time-off Awards Scale for Intangible Benefits
Attachment 1
Monetary Award Scale for Intangible Benefits
Value of Benefit
Extent of Application
Limited
A limited contribution
which affects the duties,
work assignments, and
employees of one division
or office.
.
Extended
A substantial contribution
which affects the duties,
work assignments, and
employees of multiple
divisions or offices.
General
An extensive
contribution which
affects the duties, work
assignments, and
employees of multiple
agencies or NNSA-
wide.
Moderate Value
A limited contribution to a
product, activity, program or
service that improves the
effectiveness, efficiency, quality,
productivity, or service.
A modification to operating
principles or procedures.
Up to $500
Up to $1000
Up to $3000
High Value
A superior contribution to a
critical or sensitive product,
activity, program or service that
improves the effectiveness,
efficiency, quality, productivity,
or service.
A complete revision of
operating principles or
procedures.
Up to $1000
Up to $3000
Up to $6000
Exceptional Value
An extraordinary contribution
to a highly critical or highly
sensitive product, activity,
program or service that improves
the effectiveness, efficiency,
quality, productivity, or service.
Initiation of a new principle or
major procedure with extensive
impact.
Up to $3000
Up to $6000
Up to $10000
($7500 and above
requires approval from
the Administrator)
Attachment 2
Time Off Awards Scale for Intangible Benefits
Value of Benefit
Extent of Application
Limited
A limited contribution
which affects the duties,
work assignments, and
employees of one division
or office.
.
Extended
A substantial contribution
which affects the duties,
work assignments, and
employees of multiple
divisions or offices.
General
An extensive
contribution which
affects the duties, work
assignments, and
employees of multiple
agencies or NNSA-
wide.
Moderate Value
A limited contribution to a
product, activity, program or
service that improves the
effectiveness, efficiency, quality,
productivity, or service.
A modification to operating
principles or procedures.
Up to 16 Hours
Up to 27 Hours
Up to 32 Hours
High Value
A superior contribution to a
critical or sensitive product,
activity, program or service that
improves the effectiveness,
efficiency, quality, productivity,
or service.
A complete revision of
operating principles or
procedures.
Up to 27 Hours
Up to 32 Hours
Up to 40 Hours
Exceptional Value
An extraordinary contribution
to a highly critical or highly
sensitive product, activity,
program or service that improves
the effectiveness, efficiency,
quality, productivity, or service.
Initiation of a new principle or
major procedure with extensive
impact.
Up to 32 Hours
Up to 40 Hours
Up to 40 Hours