Site Status Notification

In the event of contingencies, such as winter storms, wildfires, and power outages, NIST may find it necessary to restrict access to facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of personnel and to expedite site recovery. 

NIST will provide notice to employees and associates through a variety of means including GovDelivery ENS notifications using text and e-mail, messages on the NIST Status line, and notices via social media. NIST encourages all staff to subscribe to e-mail and text alerts. 

NIST employs various levels of closure depending on the campus conditions. Below is an outline of those levels that you may hear when receiving Gov Delivery text/e-mail notifications or looking at social media. 

Site is Closed - NO ACCESS [Emergency Event]

• The site is closed for onsite business and no public access is permitted; previously approved accesses are revoked.
• Access will be granted to designated emergency response officials under NIST/NOAA/NTIA and DOC (Department of Commerce), as well as other local, state and federal emergency incident responders.
• Employees/associates (facility users) are NOT permitted access, UNLESS APPROVED BY the Emergency Services Office (ESO) director.
• Telework-ready employees must follow DOC/NIST guidance and the terms of their telework agreements or contact their supervisor for telework guidance.

Site is Closed [Typically used in severe weather incidents]

• The site is closed for onsite business and no public access is permitted; previously approved accesses are revoked.
• Designated emergency employees may be required to report to work as scheduled.
• Non-emergency employees/associates (facility users) who have a legitimate requirement to access the site can be granted entry, subject to site conditions. Due to the nature of work being performed by contractors, it is materially unsafe to allow construction work to continue during campus closures. Other employees and associates may be granted limited short-duration access to facilitate scientific or other operations that without their access could adversely affect the NIST Campus.
• Telework-ready employees must follow DOC/NIST guidance and the terms of their telework agreements or contact their supervisor for telework guidance.
• Employees should consult with their supervisors about authorized UNSCHEDULED LEAVE or UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK.
• Conferences are cancelled.
• Site closure vehicle access procedures may be put in place, and entrants must park in designated areas.

Site is Open with the option of unscheduled leave or telework.

• Designated emergency employees may be required to report to work as scheduled.
• The site is open for business, but unscheduled leave or telework is authorized for those who believe they cannot commute safely to work. Any employee/associate choosing unscheduled leave or telework should contact their supervisor.

Delayed opening OR site will open at [a designated time], unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework is authorized.

• The site will open with a [xx] hour delay, staff should report [xx] hours after their normal reporting time. OR The site is closed for business and no public access will be permitted prior to [the designated time]; previously approved accesses during this time are revoked.
• Designated emergency employees may be required to report to work as scheduled.
• Non-emergency employees/associates (facility users) who have a legitimate requirement to access the site can be granted entry, subject to site conditions. Due to the nature of work being performed by contractors, it is materially unsafe to allow construction work to continue during campus closures. Other employees and associates may be granted limited short-duration access to facilitate scientific or other operations that without their access could adversely affect the NIST Campus.
• Telework-ready employees must follow DOC/NIST guidance and the terms of their telework agreements or contact their supervisor for telework guidance.
• Employees concerned about their commute should consult with their supervisors about authorized UNSCHEDULED LEAVE or UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK.
• Conferences may be held; but attendees may not arrive prior to the designated time.

Site will close [xx] hours early OR will close at [a designated time] for onsite business due to early dismissal

• The site will close [xx] hours early and staff should leave [xx] hours earlier than their normal departure time. OR The site will close at [a designated time] for onsite business and no public access is permitted after the designated time for early dismissal; previously approved accesses during this time are revoked.
• Designated emergency employees may be required to remain at work as scheduled.
• Non-emergency employees/associates (facility users) who have a legitimate requirement to access the site can be granted access, subject to site conditions. Due to the nature of work being performed by contractors, it is materially unsafe to allow construction work to continue during campus closures. Other employees and associates may be granted limited short-duration access to facilitate scientific or other operations that without their access could adversely affect the NIST Campus.
• Telework-ready employees must follow DOC/NIST guidance and the terms of their telework agreements or contact their supervisor for telework guidance.
• Employees should consult with their supervisors about authorized UNSCHEDULED LEAVE or UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK.
• Conferences will adjourn by the designated early release time.
• Site closure vehicle access procedures may be put in place, and occupants must park in designated areas.

Subscribe to Site Status

Subscribe to Site Status - Boulder

The U.S. Department of Commerce Boulder Laboratories site status is provided via three mechanisms. 

• Website status announcement 
• Telephone status update at (303) 497-4000 or (303) 497-3000 (Option 2) 
• Email and/or text alerts 
• Social media

NIST encourages staff to subscribe to the e-mail and text ENS alerts as the may be instances where the site status is changed to other than open for reasons other than heavy snowfall. 

To receive email and/or text alerts on changes to site operating status or emergencies, you can subscribe here.  

Subscribe to Site Status - Gaithersburg

NIST Gaithersburg status is provided through: 

• Website status announcement 
• Telephone status update at (301) 975-8000 and (800) 437-4385 (toll free) 
• Email and/or text alerts 
• Social media

NIST encourages staff to subscribe the e-mail or text alerts as the may be instances where the site status is changed to other than open for reasons other than heavy snowfall. 

To receive email and/or text alerts on changes to site operating status or emergencies, you can subscribe here.  

NOTE: You have to subscribe twice to receive email AND text messages.

Return to the campus status page.