Title 5, Government Organization and EmployeesRelease 119-102
§4511 Definition and General Provisions
Title 5 › PART III — EMPLOYEES › Subpart C — Employee Performance › CHAPTER 45 — INCENTIVE AWARDS › SUBCHAPTER II — AWARDS FOR COST SAVINGS DISCLOSURES › § 4511
Summary
Defines "agency" to mean any Executive agency. A cash award is extra money on top of an employee’s regular pay. If an employee accepts such an award, they agree the government can use the idea, process, or tool that earned the award and that neither the employee nor their heirs or assigns can make any further claim against the government about it.
Full Legal Text
Title 5, §4511
Government Organization and Employees, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)For purposes of this subchapter, the term “agency” means any Executive agency.
(b)A cash award under this subchapter is in addition to the regular pay of the recipient. Acceptance of a cash award under this subchapter constitutes an agreement that the use by the Government of an idea, method, or device for which the award is made does not form the basis of a further claim of any nature against the Government by the employee, his heirs, or assigns.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1981, see section 1703(c) of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1981 Amendment note under section 4501 of this title. Authority To Make Awards Pub. L. 102–487, § 1(c), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3134, provided that: “Awards may be made under subchapter II of chapter 45 of title 5, United States Code, on and after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 24, 1992].”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
5 U.S.C. § 4511
Title 5, Government Organization and Employees
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102