DATE: Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Performance Appraisal: Closeout FY 2025
FY 2025 Appraisal Period: July 18, 2025 -December 1, 2025
The condensed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 performance cycle would have ended on October 18, 2025; however, due to the shutdown furlough, the timeline has been revised.
This message provides guidance – following the update shared on October 15 – for all general workforce (excluding SES/SL/ST and Schedule C employees) related to closing Fiscal Year 2025 performance appraisals.
The FY25 performance cycle will now end on December 1, 2025.
We will be providing rating officials further guidance for updating the performance cycle end date of October 18, 2025, to December 1, 2025, on the Employee Performance Appraisal Plan (EPAP).
Employees are encouraged to update their accomplishments if previously provided. Rating officials need to close out FY25 EPAPs by December 12, 2025. Human Resources will then begin the quality review of appraisals.
Between December 1, and December 12, 2025, Parts 3, 4, and 5, of the EPAP are to be completed.
EPAP- Part 3 -5: Rating & Signatures
The USA Performance system will automatically determine the summary rating and rating value.
Employee
Employees can input their end-of-the-year accomplishments by writing a narrative in part 9 or clicking on “Add Document” below Part 10, at the bottom of the EPAP, to upload a document. Providing accomplishments is optional.
Due: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Rating Official
The rating official must review and assign rating(s) and consider the employee’s accomplishments, if provided by the employee.
Step 5: Signatures
Rating officials’ signature is applied first.
Rating & Reviewing Official
A reviewing official’s signature is required if the rating for the employee was Outstanding or Unacceptable, or if required by your division. Once the reviewing official’s signature is applied, if required, the rating official may release the rating to the employee and have the discussion with the employee.
Due: Friday, December 12, 2025
Employee
Employees may then view element ratings, narratives, summary rating, and sign the appraisal plan.
Highlights and Reminders
If an employee has not been on standards for at least 90 days by December 12, 2025, the employee will not be eligible for a FY25 rating.
There may be exceptions when the rating official or reviewing official will need to bypass the employee’s signature. Exceptions may include, but are not limited to, the employee being on leave, detail, active duty, or the employee declines to sign.
Guidance on FY 2025 performance recognition and establishment of FY 2026 EPAPs will be forthcoming.
Questions:
- For assistance with Employee Express login procedures, please submit a help desk request by clicking on the “Submit Help Request” link located in the top right-hand corner of the Employee Express login page.
- For all pay and leave related questions, please contact the Customer Support Center.