(a) For the purpose of this section, the term “senior career employee” means an individual appointed to a position classified above GS–15 and paid under section 5376 who is not serving—
(b)
Each agency employing senior career employees shall submit annually to the Office of Personnel Management recommendations of senior career employees in the agency to be awarded the rank of Meritorious Senior Professional or Distinguished Senior Professional, which may be awarded by the President for sustained accomplishment or sustained extraordinary accomplishment, respectively.