INFORMATION PAPER
AFZC-JA-AL 15 September 2001
SUBJECT: Gifts from Outside Sources; Solicitation of Gifts by Government Employees
1. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information on the ethical rules relating to
gifts from outside sources and solicitation of gifts by government personnel.
2. The Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), DoD Dir. 5500.7-R, prohibits federal employees from,
directly or indirectly, soliciting or accepting a gift from a prohibited source, or a gift that is given
because of the employee’s official position.
a. “Gift” is broadly defined by the JER. A gift includes any gratuity, favor, discount,
entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or any item having a monetary value. It includes
services, as well as gifts of training, transportation, local travel, meals, lodging, etc. A gift does
not include the following:
(1) Modest items of food and refreshment, such as soft drinks, coffee and donuts,
offered other than as part of a meal;
(2) Greeting cards and items of little intrinsic value, such as plaques, certificates and
trophies, which are intended solely for presentation;
(3) Loans from banks or other financial institutions on terms available to the public;
(4) Opportunities and benefits, including favorable rates and commercial discounts,
available to the public or to a class consisting of all Government employees or all uniformed
military personnel;
(5) Rewards and prizes given to competitors in contests or events, including random
drawings, open to the public unless the employee’s entry is required as part of official duties;
(6) Pension and other benefits resulting from continued participation in an employee
welfare and benefits plan maintained by a former employer;
(7) Anything that is paid for by the Government or is secured by the Government
under Government contract. However, any benefit earned on the on the basis of Government-
financed travel (i.e. frequent-flier miles) belongs to the Government and not the employee.
(8) Any gift accepted by the Government under specific statutory authority;
(9) Anything for which market value is paid by the employee.
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