OMB Circular A-11 award guidance does not set a specific award percentage, but rather requires “DoD Components, Defense Agencies, and DoD Field Activities to fund an awards budget…at a level that best meets DoD Component objectives and supports the recruitment and retention of high-performing employees in accordance with reference (b). DoD Components are encouraged to allocate awards in a manner that provides for meaningful distinctions in performance; examine the ratio of monetary awards spending between ratings based on non-ratings-based awards; and use monetary and non-monetary awards and recognition throughout the performance appraisal cycle.
