KSC Is Open – COVID 19 Stage 3 Message – 23 March 2020

The Kennedy Space Center is still OPEN, however in an effort to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, effective March 18, 2020, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is moving into Stage 3 of our Agency response framework, with MANDATORY telework effective immediately and until further notice. 

Access to the center will be restricted to mission-essential personnel only, as defined in the response framework.  This step is being taken in accordance with President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America: 15 Days to Slow the Spread

In addition to continuing to monitor NASAPeople, the KSC Communicator, and KSC Emergency Management, team members should be aware of the following guidance and always consult your supervisor if a situation is not addressed below:

Health and Safety

• Your health and that of your team is of the highest priority. If you are performing mission-essential work on-site, do not go to work if you feel sick. Everyone should take extra precautions to protect themselves and others. Please continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency’s chief health and medical officer, as well as state and local guidance. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to talk with your supervisor.
• This situation can be understandably stressful. The KSC Employee Assistance Program is available for team members in need of support during this time. If you need to speak to an EAP counselor, Patti Bell can be reached at 321- 289-6674 or Walt Hersing can be reached at 321-289- 7432. Additionally, the EAP Hotline is available after hours and on weekends at 888-728-1404.
• Any employee who has been advised to self-quarantine should notify their supervisor.
• Employees should keep in contact with their supervisors for more personalized information regarding telework status and other important developments.

Center Access is Restricted

• Most of our workforce is already teleworking. If you need to access the center to retrieve laptops or other equipment or belongings, you must contact your supervisor and gain management approval.

Telework and Information Technology

·       All employees who can telework should do so. Employees should visit the NASAPeople coronavirus page for NASA guidance on technology, collaboration tools, and VPN information.

·       To support the possibility of an extended period of telework, NASA is implementing a temporary equipment take-home policy for non-portable IT equipment (e.g., monitor, docking station, keyboard, mouse, etc.-excluding printers) associated with your computer seat provided by the End User Services Office (EUSO)/NEST, please follow the directions here.

·       All other government property whether Administratively Controlled Equipment (ACE) or ECN tagged property (i.e. non-EUSO/NEST: monitors, iPads, laptops, CPUs etc.) requires a property pass (NF892) signed/approved for removal of these items from the Center. If removed from the Center for 1-29 days, just the employee, property custodian, and division chief need to sign. If 30-180 days, the request must also be approved by sending the form via email to KSC-NASA-PROPERTY-MANAGEMENT. If a contractor is submitting an NF892 Property Pass to remove government property, they MUST have their NASA Contracting Officer (CO) or authorized representative sign. The form can be downloaded from the NASA Forms Site.

·       Team members should first contact the NASA Enterprise Service Desk (you will need to click Log Back In) online or call 1-877-677-2123 (Option 2) for IT troubleshooting and service.

Travel

·       If you have mission critical travel objectives that cannot be accomplished virtually, please complete the Request for Travel Exception Form and obtain approval from your organization Director or program office. The form should then be forwarded to Ryan Richards and Tony Derbyshire for Center management concurrence, prior to Headquarters approval. Once Headquarters approval has been granted, travel arrangements will be made and routed for normal travel approvals.

Center Services

·       The Exchange stores will close.

·       Both Subway locations and MFF Sonny’s will remain open on a day to day basis (carry-out only). Grab-n-Go’s will also be available at the MFF cafeteria.

·       Food trucks have been temporarily suspended.

·       Fitness center and RehabWorks are closed.

·       The Child Development Center will close.

·       Launch Federal Credit Union will close.

·       KARS will close by close of business Friday, March 20, 2020.

·       Service station will remain open until further notice.

The status of the center will be updated regularly and communicated to all employees. Please stay in close contact with your supervisor. I, along with my center leadership team and agency leaders, greatly appreciate your understanding, patience, and support through this challenging period.