# DoD Components Apply Rating Caps

DoD employees report that some components are calibrating performance evaluations to limit outstanding ratings, including returning submitted ratings for reduction, despite earlier leadership statements that the change would not apply to DPMAP and AcqDemo employees until FY2027. A self-identified DoD HR commenter says OPM’s distribution rule limits top ratings to 40%, while DoD received an exception allowing up to 50% outstanding ratings. Reports describe differing rollout and calibration practices across DoD components, with similar timing concerns raised by DHS employees. No procurement action, contract opportunity, or direct change to contractor performance requirements is identified.

- Contractors supporting DoD and DHS may want to account for reported employee grievances and morale concerns in workforce-continuity and transition planning; the reports concern agency employee appraisals, not contractor ratings.
- The inconsistent implementation and limited visibility into calibration could affect workforce stability, which may matter to contractors relying on agency personnel for program coordination and oversight.
- The signals do not identify a solicitation, funding change, or new contractor compliance requirement.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** November 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

### Key Quotes
> OPM set forced distribution rules where only 40% of employees may receive top ratings (4 or 5 on a 1-5 scale). DPMAP only has three rating levels: 1-Unsuccessful, 3-Fully Successful, and 5-Outstanding ... DoD received an exception to allow up to 50% outstanding ratings.
> — DoD HR commenter (self-identified DoD HR)

> We had an agency boss town hall just a few weeks ago where leadership specifically stated that the new 40/60 performance rating distribution would not take effect for DPMAP and AcqDemo employees until 2027.
> — Original poster

> DHS sprung this on component agencies in mid-September; we had also been told (until 11th) that it would start in FY27.
> — DHS employee commenter

### Sources
- [DoD moved up forced low performance ratings after elections](https://www.reddit.com/r/FedEmployees/comments/1xplod5/dod_moved_up_forced_low_performance_ratings_after) - reddit-fedemployees
- [DoD moved up forced low performance ratings after elections](https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/comments/1xplo5j/dod_moved_up_forced_low_performance_ratings_after) - reddit-fednews