Depending on the size of the agency and the scope of interactions with the public, each agency is to annually present between 10 and 50 agency-level awards using criteria that each is to establish, under general policies in the memo.
Awards to individual employees will recognize specific accomplishments, professionalism, and commitment to customer service that make them a role model for customer service delivery. While individuals may be identified as a result of a specific action, awards recipients should also demonstrate a strong commitment to public service in all of their work, be well regarded in terms of their general integrity, and display values appropriate as an inspiration and role model.
In general, Individual Award recipients should have direct engagement with the agency’s customers or demonstrate a direct beneficial impact on customers as a result of their work, it said.
Agencies also may recognize initiatives that have directly improved services for customers through the application of technology, improvements in operations, or other innovations; “a limited number of key individual contributors will be identified as the named recipients of an initiative award (in general less than 5), which will also recognize the contributions of a broader team.”
Agencies also are to name by July 31 of each year two nominees for the President’s Award, which will be granted to about 10 employees government-wide. OMB will judge nominations based on factors including; the number ofcustomers impacted and/or the significance ofthe services to those customers; the awardees’ persistence in overcoming obstacles to providing excellent services; the utilization of principles and practices of providing excellent customer service; the extent to which the individual or initiative exemplifies excellence in public service; and diversity across mission areas and agencies of award recipients.
Neither type of award carries a monetary component; recognition is to be given in the form of announcements on agency websites and the like. The President’s Award winners also will be publicized by the White House and will come with a physical award such as a plaque.
