I received an “exceeds” or “fully meets” on my Performance Review and Employee Appraisal (PREA). Do I automatically get a lump-sum performance award if I am on a lockstep scale (LP1, LP2, LP3)?

No. In order to be eligible for a performance award (lump sum payment) you must already be at the top of your lockstep range. Otherwise, you are only entitled to a lockstep pay increment which, between lockstep increments, represents a 4.7% increase.  This means that an “exceeds” rating while you are still progressing through the lock-steps will not result in any additional awards.