Effective July 15, 2022, USDA released three updates to the Employee Performance and Award Policy to streamline approval processes, reduce timeframes for certain awards and decrease administrative burden. Updates to the program are provided below and in the Deputy Chief for Business Operations Office letter.

52-Week Cumulative Award Authorization Requirements

• Previous awards in the last 52 weeks will no longer be considered when determining the appropriate authorizing official.
• The requirement to justify an employee receiving cumulative amounts has been removed.
• Award authorization amounts and the appropriate approver will only need to be monitored for discrete awards, not cumulative awards.

Quality Step Increase: Changes time limits, appraisal and panel requirements

• The time an employee must remain in the same position type and grade to qualify for a QSI is 12 months.
• An employee will only need to demonstrate fully successful performance for the most recent performance year.
• The wait time to receive between receiving a QSI is now 52 weeks.
• The requirement for a QSI panel has been removed.
• QSIs will be able to be awarded based on the overall Mission Area annual award funding authorization.

Referral Bonus: Reduces the amount of waiting time for the award

• A referral bonus is given to an employee who assist the agency in recruiting new talent.
• A referral bonus may be paid after an individual who was referred is hired by the agency and performs successfully in the position for 90 days and performs at a fully successful level.

For additional information about the programs for performance and awards, please visit HRM Performance website and HRM Awards website.

Help is available

Open an HR Help case:

1. Call: 1-877-372-7248, Press 2
2. Email: hrm_contact_center@usda.gov
3. Self-Service: ConnectHR > HR Help link

For detailed instructions, visit the HR Help How-to Add a Case Guide.