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 Gov Delivery notifications using text and e-mail, messages on the NIST Status line, and notices to local television and radio stations. NIST encourages all staff to subscribe to e-mail and text alerts.
There are five terms you will hear when receiving Gov Delivery text/e-mail notifications or listening to the NIST Status Line and the local television and radio stations:
Site is closed (with access only for emergency employees).
- Designated emergency employees must report to work as scheduled.
- No access will be granted to non-emergency personnel without approval by their management chain.
- The site is closed for onsite business and no public access is permitted.
- Telework-ready employees must follow DOC/NIST guidance and the terms of their agreements.
- Information specific to the Gaithersburg or Boulder site closure will be communicated.
Site is closed with limited access.
- Designated emergency employees must report to work as scheduled.
- The site is closed for onsite business and no public access is permitted.
- Telework-ready employees must follow DOC/NIST guidance and the terms of their agreements.
- Non-emergency employees / associates (facility users) who are currently authorized 24x7 access and who have a legitimate requirement to access the site, can be granted access, subject to site conditions.
- Information specific to the Gaithersburg or Boulder site closure will be communicated.
Delayed opening at "a designated time," unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework authorized.
- Designated emergency employees must report to work as scheduled.
- The site is closed for business and no public access will be permitted prior to the announced time of the delayed opening.
- Access will be on the same basis as when NIST is closed with limited access.
- Non-emergency employees / associates (facility users) who are currently authorized 24x7 access and who have a legitimate requirement to access the site, can be granted access, subject to site conditions.
- Telework-ready employees must follow DOC/NIST guidance and the terms of their telework agreements.
- Non-emergency employees / associates must notify their supervisor of their intent to use unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework.
Site is open with the option of unscheduled leave or telework.
- Designated emergency employees must report to work as scheduled.
- The site is open for business, but special flexibility is offered for those who cannot commute safely to work.
- Telework-ready employees must follow DOC/NIST guidance and the terms of their telework agreements.
- Non-emergency employees / associates must notify their supervisor of their intent to use unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework.
Site will close at "a designated time" for onsite business due to early dismissal.
- Designated emergency employees must remain at work as scheduled.
- The site is closed at a designated time for onsite business and no public access is permitted.
- Telework-ready employees must follow DOC/NIST guidance and the terms of their agreements.
- Non-emergency employees / associates (facility users) who are currently authorized 24x7 access and who have a legitimate requirement to access the site, can be granted access or remain on site, subject to site conditions.
- Information specific to the Gaithersburg or Boulder site closure will be communicated.
Subscribe to Site Status
Subscribe to Site Status - Boulder
The U.S. Department of Commerce Boulder Laboratories site status is provided via three mechanisms.
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.
Subscribe to Site Status - Gaithersburg
NIST Gaithersburg status is provided through:
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.