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 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. 

• Website Status Announcement 
• Telephone Status update at (303) 497-4000 or (303) 497-3000 (Option 2) 
• Email and/or text alerts 

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: 

• Telephone Status update at (301) 975-8000 and (800) 437-4385 (toll free) 
• Television (WRC (NBC 4), WTTG (Fox 5), WUSA (CBS 9); WJLA (ABC 7/News 8) and 
• Radio (WFMD (930AM), WFRE (99.9FM), WTOP (103.5 FM), WMAL (630 AM) WRQX (107.3FM)) 
• Email and/or text alerts 

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.