Federal MI/ACE Performance Framework

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ACE Performance Framework

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If you manage people in government contracting, you already know how messy performance reviews can be.

Managers rarely see employees day to day. Client feedback can be inconsistent. And when it’s time to rate performance, it often comes down to who was visible, not who delivered.
Meanwhile, employees feel the process is subjective. Executives see rating inflation. HR struggles to align raises with actual impact.

It’s frustrating and it’s not sustainable.

The GovCon standard for fair, evidence-based employee performance — built on Accountability, Capability, and Engagement.

Federal Management Institute - ACE Performance Framework.pdf
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The ACE Performance Framework™ fixes that.

Built specifically for government contracting, ACE provides a structured, evidence-based approach to performance management — replacing opinions with proof.
ACE focuses on three pillars that define success in GovCon:

  • Accountability – Taking ownership of outcomes and professional integrity.

  • Capability – Applying the technical and analytical skills that drive results.

  • Engagement – Demonstrating teamwork, communication, and commitment to the mission.

Each rating under ACE must be supported by verifiable evidence — work products, documented outputs, or observable behaviors — so performance becomes something you can see, not just feel.

Inside the Framework

Download the full ACE Performance Framework™ to access:

  • The complete methodology and definitions for Accountability, Capability, and Engagement.

  • A structured 5-point scale with behavioral examples.

  • Employee self-assessment and manager templates for implementation.

  • Calibration and compensation alignment guidance for HR and leadership.

ACE transforms performance reviews from frustration to clarity — giving every stakeholder confidence that ratings are fair, consistent, and backed by evidence.

Federal contracting isn’t like other industries and performance management shouldn’t be either.

  • A contract-aligned, defensible evaluation model for every labor category.

  • Data-backed visibility into workforce performance across contracts.

  • Fair and consistent ratings that eliminate bias and favoritism.

  • A direct link between performance, raises, and delivery outcomes.

Who It’s For

  • Executives tired of subjective ratings and inconsistent feedback.

  • Managers who need a simple, fair way to evaluate employees they don’t see every day.

  • Employees who want transparency in how performance is measured and rewarded.

Get the Framework

Give your company a better way to measure performance — one that builds accountability, capability, and engagement at every level.