Awards will be issued in the three categories. There will be only one Secretary's Excellence in Acquisition Award however, more than one Secretary's Award of Achievement and Secretary's Acquisition Improvement Award may be awarded, depending upon the recommendations of the selection panel.

There will be two categories of submission: Excellence and Improvement. Awards for “Achievement” will be selected from the runners-up in the “Excellence” category.  The Awards will be granted annually for contributions made or completed during the previous fiscal year (ending September). 

The Secretary of Energy will grant the awards in February/March based on review board recommendations.