OPM Overhauls Federal Performance Appraisals; FDA, USDA, NIH, Interior Issue Notices

OPM Final Rule: Federal Performance Appraisal Overhaul

The Office of Personnel Management has issued a final rule, effective August 6, 2026, that makes sweeping changes to performance appraisal requirements for non-Senior Executive Service employees, including General Schedule and prevailing rate employees. The rule amends 5 CFR parts 351, 430, and 537.

The rule's stated background traces the problem to well before the current regulatory regime. According to the document, the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 was enacted in part because the existing appraisal system did not meaningfully measure employee performance — the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs found that ratings were frequently inflated, failed to distinguish among performance levels, and were assigned without sufficient rigor or accountability. The rule notes that supervisors were often reluctant to assign low ratings, making appraisals unreliable as management tools. OPM established a centralized framework in 1983 with a five-level rating structure formally tied to pay, awards, and promotions, but the document states that framework produced limited differentiation among employees, administrative complexity, and inconsistent enforcement. In 1995, OPM moved toward flexible, decentralized performance management following National Performance Review recommendations, and those regulations have remained largely unchanged since — "failing to adapt to the evolving mission needs of the Federal workforce," the rule states.

The document cites oversight findings as further impetus for reform, noting that a 2016 GAO report found that 99% of permanent, non-SES employees received performance ratings at or above Fully Successful, and that rating inflation continued into the 2020s.

The final rule makes six specific structural changes: it eliminates unnecessary summary level patterns; removes the prohibition on forced or standardized distribution of performance rating levels; eliminates mandatory review of Level 1 ratings; removes the option to grieve a rating of record; requires a supervisory critical element for all supervisors covered under the subpart; and requires OPM to conduct biennial certifications of agency appraisal systems. OPM states its statutory responsibility includes reviewing agency appraisal systems for compliance and designing personnel systems that sustain a culture that cultivates and develops a high-performing workforce.

FDA: Animal Drug Application Actions for Q1 2026

The Food and Drug Administration published a final rule, effective July 7, 2026, amending animal drug regulations to reflect approval actions for new animal drug applications (NADAs), abbreviated new animal drug applications (ANADAs), and conditionally approved new animal drug applications (CNADAs) during January, February, and March 2026. The rule also makes amendments to improve accuracy and readability of those regulations.

Among the actions reflected: a conditional approval for EXZOLT CATTLE-CA (fluralaner topical solution) by Intervet, Inc., dated December 4, 2025; original approvals in January 2026 for nixiFLOR (florfenicol and flunixin meglumine injectable solution) by Parnell Technologies Pty. Ltd. as a generic copy of NADA 141-299; KBROVET (potassium bromide chewable tablets) by Pegasus Laboratories, Inc.; and Maropitant Citrate Chewable Tablets by Felix Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. as a generic copy of NADA 141-262. Supplemental approvals during the same period included BRAVECTO PLUS (fluralaner and moxidectin topical solution) and NEXGARD PLUS (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets), both by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Inc., as well as VETMEDIN Solution (pimobendan oral solution), also by Boehringer Ingelheim. The document states that documentation of environmental review, FOIA summaries, and marketing exclusivity and patent information are available at the Animal Drugs @FDA database.

USDA: National Poultry Improvement Plan Biennial Conference

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced a meeting of the General Conference Committee (GCC) of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the NPIP's 47th Biennial Conference. According to the notice, the GCC represents cooperating state agencies and poultry industry members and serves as liaison between the poultry industry and the Department on matters pertaining to poultry health.

The GCC meeting will be held on August 11, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST. The General Session of the Biennial Conference will begin August 12, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. and end no later than August 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. MST. Topics listed for discussion include new diagnostic tests seeking NPIP approval, a Salmonella update, an Avian Influenza update, and a Mycoplasma update. The meeting is open to the public, though public participation in discussions will be allowed only if time permits. Requests for reasonable accommodations must be submitted no later than July 29, 2026.

NIH: Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee Public Meeting

The National Institutes of Health has announced a public meeting of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) scheduled for July 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET at the National Institute of Mental Health's Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852. The meeting is free and open to the public in a hybrid format, with virtual access available via NIH Videocast. Pre-registration is required for in-person attendance.

The agenda covers committee business, agency updates, and issues related to autism research and services activities. The IACC invites written and oral public comments and notes in the notice that its 2021-2023 Strategic Plan lists the "Spirit of Collaboration" as a core value, asking that public participants treat others with respect and listen with open minds to diverse lived experiences. A limited number of slots are available for approximately 3-minute oral or virtual comment summaries during the meeting. The notice states that priority for comment slots will be given to individuals and organizations that have not previously provided comments in the current calendar year.

Interior: Tribal Revenue Allocation Plans Paperwork Renewal

The Office of the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs is seeking public comment through September 8, 2026, on the proposed renewal of an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The collection, titled "Tribal Revenue Allocation Plans, 25 CFR 290," carries OMB Control Number 1076-0152 and covers the process by which federally recognized Indian tribes seek Secretarial approval to distribute net gaming revenues as per capita payments.

According to the notice, the information collected must include assurances that statutory requirements are met, a breakdown of specific uses for net gaming revenues, eligibility requirements for participation, tax liability notification, and assurances protecting the per capita share of minors and legal incompetents, as specified in sections 290.12, 290.17, 290.24, and 290.26 of 25 CFR part 290. The agency estimates 20 annual respondents, 20 annual responses, 100 hours completion time per response, and 2,000 total estimated annual burden hours. Respondent obligation is listed as required to obtain a benefit.

What to Watch

• July 17, 2026 (5:00 p.m. ET): Deadline for written public comments to the IACC prior to the July 31 meeting.
• July 29, 2026: Deadline to request reasonable accommodations for the NPIP Biennial Conference.
• July 31, 2026: IACC public meeting, Rockville, MD (hybrid).
• August 6, 2026: OPM final rule on federal performance appraisals takes effect.
• August 11–14, 2026: NPIP General Conference Committee meeting and 47th Biennial Conference.
• September 8, 2026: Comment deadline for Interior's Tribal Revenue Allocation Plans information collection renewal.

Related

• Civic AI hub
• Five Federal Agencies Seek Public Comment on Information Collection Renewals Across Agriculture, Environment, and Marine Science
• NCUA Bans Reputation Risk in Supervision; FDA Files Flour Irradiation Petition
• Education Dept. Extends Funding for 43 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Projects Through Sept. 2027