ALCOAST 017/26 - JAN 2026 CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT UPDATE

R 151800Z JAN 26 MID320018473022U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 017/26
SSIC 12451
SUBJ: CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT UPDATE
A. OPM Memorandum, Performance Management for Federal Employees,
dated 17 June 2025
B. OPM Memorandum, Guidance on Awards for Federal Employees,
dated 11 August 2025
C. DHS Human Resources General Instruction Guide Performance
Management Program (PMP)
D. Excellence, Achievement, and Recognition System (EARS),
COMDTINST 12430.6B
1. To drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture in the
federal workforce and improve services to the American taxpayer,
the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is reforming employee
performance management across the Federal government to ensure that
it rewards individual initiative, skills, performance and hard work.
Therefore, in accordance with REFs (A) and (B), and in alignment
with REF (C) and guidance from the Department of Homeland Security,
the following changes are made to the civilian performance
management program and REF (D).
    a. Appraisal Period: The current appraisal period must be changed
from 1 April to 31 March to a fiscal year cycle, 1 October to
30 September. To meet this requirement, the 2025-2026 appraisal
period will be extended to 30 September 2026 (i.e., 1 April 2025 to
30 September 2026).
    b. Progress Reviews: Three evenly spaced progress reviews are
mandatory during the appraisal period. Supervisors may also conduct
additional progress reviews at any time during the appraisal period.
    c. Ratings of Record (Annual Appraisals/Final Ratings)
        (1) 2025-2026 appraisals will be completed in October 2026 for
the period 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2026.
        (2) Federal agencies are now required to "level set" ratings
of record. Based on this requirement, an employee's final rating may
decrease or be different from historical patterns.
    d. Performance Awards
        (1) For employees covered by REF (C), DHS PMP, only ratings of
record for Exceeded Expectations (Level 4) and Achieved Excellence
(Level 5) will be eligible for performance awards.
        (2) For employees covered by REF (D), EARS, only ratings of
record of Exceeds (Level 5) will be eligible for performance awards.
2. Additional Changes: REF (A) requires additional performance
management changes to be implemented for the FY 2027 appraisal
period. These policy updates will be communicated once finalized.
3. Supervisory Training: New OPM required training, "Performance
Management Training for Federal Supervisors," must be completed by
current supervisors of civilians no later than Friday, 30 January
2026. This training is located in the USCG Online World of Learning
(OWL) and can be accessed through course number 100759. Supervisors
will be required to take a refresher course will be required every
three years.
4. Labor obligations will be fulfilled prior to implementation for
bargaining unit employees.
5. Additional information about performance management can be
found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg1214/cg-124/SitePages/United
-States-Coast-Guard-Civilian-Performance-Management-(USCGPM).aspx

6. These changes will be made to the next revision of REF (D).
Directives System Program is working with COMDT (CG-WM) and tracking
interim policies issued for internal control purposes.
7. Questions regarding performance management can be directed to:
    a. Performance Management Points of Contacts
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg1214/cg-124/SitePages/United-
States-Coast-Guard-Civilian-Performance-Management-(USCGPM).aspx

    b. PSC-CPM-2 Performance Management at
CivilianPerformanceManagement@uscg.mil.
8. RADM Zeita Merchant, Assistant Commandant for Workforce
Management (CG-WM), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.