Section 531.504 - Level of performance required for quality step increaseA quality step increase shall not be required but may be granted only to-
(a) An employee who receives a rating of record at Level 5 ("Outstanding" or equivalent), as defined in part 430, subpart B, of this chapter; or(b) An employee who, when covered by a performance appraisal program that does not use a Level 5 summary-(1) Receives a rating of record at the highest summary level used by the program; and(2) Demonstrates sustained performance of high quality significantly above that expected at the "Fully Successful" level in the type of position concerned, as determined under performance-related criteria established by the agency.60 FR 43948, Aug. 23, 1995