5 U.S.C. § 4503. Agency awards

The head of an agency may pay a cash award to, and incur necessary expense for the honorary recognition of, an employee who—

  1. (1)
    (1)by his suggestion, invention, superior accomplishment, or other personal effort contributes to the efficiency, economy, or other improvement of Government operations or achieves a significant reduction in paperwork; or
  2. (2)
    (2)performs a special act or service in the public interest in connection with or related to his official employment.
(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 443; Pub. L. 95–454, title V, § 502(a), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1183.)