E-3 testing for E-5??

Good evening all,

I have a strange situation for a junior member of mine. Essentially this member is a rated E-3 who has their EPQs/RPQs complete and will be making E-4 automatically just before the may SWE. Every manual I’ve consulted states he would meet the time in grade requirements from E-4 to E-5 come 2027’s advancement cycle but theres one missing piece. Since he was an E-3 during the last marking period and will still be in grade for the next marking cycle he has not been required to do EERs which means I won’t be able to even recommend him for advancement? Is there any guidance for a situation like this?