5 USC § 4511 - Definition and general provisions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t5/s4511"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "5 USC § 4511 - Definition and general provisions"
title_number: 5
title_name: "GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES"
section_number: "4511"
section_name: "Definition and general provisions"
chapter_number: 45
chapter_name: "INCENTIVE AWARDS"
subchapter_number: "II"
subchapter_name: "AWARDS FOR COST SAVINGS DISCLOSURES"
part_number: "III"
part_name: "EMPLOYEES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 97–35, title XVII, § 1703(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 755.)"
---


# § 4511. Definition and general provisions

**(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.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 97–35, title XVII, § 1703(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 755.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1981 Amendment note under .

### Authority To Make Awards

> “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 [
> 
> ].”

, , , provided that: