NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 3451.1C Effective Date: December 06, 2017 Expiration Date: October 31, 2024

Subject: NASA Awards and Recognition Program

Responsible Office: Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer

Chapter 4. Non-Monetary Awards

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 Non-monetary awards are principally symbolic in nature and may be used to recognize an individual or a group of individuals' value to the organization. Non-monetary recognition can take on many forms including a letter of appreciation, letter of commendation, honorary medals and certificates, or career service recognition awards.

4.1.2 As a general rule, appropriated funds may not be spent on awards for contractors or contractor employees. Exceptions are to be coordinated through the Office of Chief Counsel at the Centers or the Office of General Counsel.

4.1.3 Consistent with paragraph 4.1.2, when an award is proposed for a contractor or contractor employee, management officials shall coordinate the proposed award with that contractor or contractor employee's employer through the cognizant contracting officer and/or contracting officer's representative. Such awards do not constitute Agency acceptance of the contractor's performance unless stated in writing by the contracting officer. In no case do these awards or statements serve as endorsement of that contractor or its employees nor will contractors represent themselves as endorsed by the Agency.

4.2 Career Service Recognition

4.2.1 A career service recognition award and certificate are presented to all civil service employees upon completion of each five years of service.

4.2.2 Certificates of service, appropriate emblems, and appropriate length of service mementoes for 35 years and above are presented for each five-year interval thereafter.

4.2.3 Employees with 40 years or more of Federal service are eligible to receive certificates from the Administrator. Employees with 60 years or more of Federal service are eligible to receive a letter from the President. These will be requested through the CAO.

4.2.4 Eligibility for these awards is based on the total years of Federal service (including all honorable military service).

4.3 Awards Ceremonies

4.3.1 In accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 4503 and Agency financial management controls, Centers may obligate funds to serve light refreshments at ceremonies held for the honorary recognition of employees if it is determined that it will materially enhance the effectiveness of the ceremony.

4.3.2. Centers are encouraged to publically recognize non-monetary award recipients and hold at least one ceremony each year to recognize Center and Agency honor award recipients.

4.3.3 The Administrator hosts an annual honor award ceremony to recognize the Distinguished Service Medal and Distinguished Public Service Medal recipients across the Agency. Accordingly, Centers should schedule annual ceremonies after the Administrator's ceremony.

4.3.4 Ceremony expenses, including travel for participants to attend award ceremonies, are the responsibility of the Center.

4.3.5 The NSSC provides support to the Agency honor awards ceremony; Centers are responsible for local ceremony planning and support.

DISTRIBUTION:
NODIS

This document does not bind the public, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract. This document is uncontrolled when printed. Check the NASA Online Directives Information System (NODIS) Library to verify that this is the correct version before use: https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov.