Must agencies file Standard Forms 50 (SF50) for awards in employees' Official Personnel Files (OPF)?
No. Agencies are not required or authorized to file documents for awards on the right side (i.e., the long-term side) of the OPF, except that agencies must file SF50's for Presidential Rank awards and Quality Step Increases (QSI). Agencies must document QSIs because they are pay actions that affect employees' basic pay.
Agencies may file documentation of award actions in the Employee Performance File maintained on the left side of the OPF (temporary documents) at their option. Agencies should remove any actions kept on the left of the OPF when the employee leaves the agency.