Pub. L. 83-763, tit. III, sec. 304

Sec. 304. (a) The head of each department is authorized to pay cash awards to, and to incur necessary expenses for the honorary recognition of, civilian officers and employees of the Government who by their suggestions, inventions, superior accomplishments, or other personal efforts contribute to the efficiency, economy, or other improvement of Government operations or who perform special acts or services in the public interest in connection with or related to their official employment. (b) In instances determined by the President to warrant such action, he is authorized to pay cash awards to, and to incur necessary expenses for the honorary recognition of, civilian officers and employees of the Government who by their suggestions, inventions, superior accomplishments, or other personal efforts contribute to the efficiency, economy, or other improvement of Government operations, or who perform exceptionally meritorious special acts or services in the public interest in connection with or related to their official employment, and any such Presidential awards may be in addition to the departmental awards authorized in subsection (a) of this section. (c) Awards under this section may be paid notwithstanding the death or separation from the service of the officer or employee concerned: Provided, That the suggestions, inventions, superior accomplishments, other personal efforts, or special acts or services in the public interest forming the basis for the awards are made or rendered while the officer or employee is in the employ of the Government. (d) A cash award under this section shall be in addition to the regular compensation of the recipient and the acceptance of such cash award shall constitute an agreement that the use by the Government of the United States or the municipal government of the District of Columbia of any idea, method or device for which the award is made shall not form the basis of a further claim of any nature upon the Government of the United States or the municipal government of the District of Columbia by the employee, his heirs, or assigns. (e) Awards to employees and expenses for the honorary recognition of employees may be paid from the funds or appropriations available to the activity primarily benefiting or may be paid from the several funds or appropriations of the various activities benefiting as may be determined by the President for awards under subsection (b) of this section, and by the head of the department concerned for awards under subsection (a) of this section. (f) An award under this title shall be given due weight in qualifying and selecting employees for promotion. (g) A monetary award granted under this title shall not exceed $5,000, except that an award in excess of such amount but not in excess of $25,000 may be granted, with the approval of the Commission, in special cases in which the head of a department certifies to the Commission that the suggestion, invention, superior accomplishment, or other meritorious effort for which such award is proposed to be made is highly exceptional and unusually outstanding.