DATE: Monday, December 15, 2025
This message provides guidance and deadlines for developing FY 2026 Employee Performance Appraisal Plans (EPAPs).
FY 2025 Closeout
Thank you for your continued diligence in closing out your FY 2025 employee performance plans. As a reminder, the deadline to complete electronic performance appraisals has been extended to Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Guidance for Drafting FY 2026 EPAPs
As you begin drafting the FY 2026 EPAPs, please adhere to the following requirements and recommendations:
Performance Standards
Rating officials must clearly define performance beyond the “Fully Successful” level for each individual standard.
Recommended Approach: Start by defining/describing “Outstanding” performance (Level 5) and then scale down to define “Exceeds Expectations” (Level 4) and “Fully Successful” (Level 3).
Focus your definitions on results and include credible measures such as quality, quantity, timeliness, cost-effectiveness, etc.
Critical Elements
Employees are required to have a minimum of three critical elements, but no more than six. Supervisors are required to have a minimum of four critical elements but no more than seven.
Ensure the number of critical elements meets the minimum and maximum requirements:
| Minimum | Maximum | |
|---|---|---|
| Employees | 3 critical elements | 6 critical elements |
| Supervisors | 4 critical elements | 7 critical elements |
Strategic Alignment
Performance plans must explicitly link to broader organizational objectives.
At least one critical element, and preferably all elements, should align with and support organizational goals and targets that are established in an organization’s annual performance/strategic plan and/or that have been included in the SES member’s performance plans.
At least one Critical Element must align with and support the organizational goals and targets established in the organization’s annual performance/strategic plan, or those included in the SES member’s performance plans.
Resources:
Questions:
- If you have any questions, please contact Employee & Labor Relations at IBC_HR_Operations_ERLR@ibc.doi.gov