MAF is transitioning to Stage 3 of the NASA Return to Work On-Site Framework.
For more information on the different stages, visit NASAPeople.nasa.gov
See the Coronavirus Updates section below for MAF status announcements
For Coronavirus (COVID-19) information, visit Coronavirus.gov
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NASA Michoud Assembly Facility
Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans is a world-class manufacturing facility providing vital support to NASA exploration and discovery missions. Michoud is NASA-owned and managed for the agency by the Marshall Space Flight Center.
Michoud is unique in that it contains one of the largest production buildings in the nation. Its vertical assembly building proved a critical resource for stacking components of the space shuttle external tank, which was constructed, tested and delivered to NASA's Kennedy Space Center by Michoud throughout the Space Shuttle Program. Between 1979 and 2010, the facility produced 136 tanks; only one of these was never used for spaceflight.
Today, Michoud supports several major projects for America's next generation of space transportation vehicles, including NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket, managed by Marshall, and the Orion spacecraft, managed by Johnson Space Center. Michoud's highly skilled work force is manufacturing and assembling Orion and also will build the critical core stage of the SLS, which is intended to take human explorers farther into our solar system than ever before.
Coronavirus Update
Saturday, May 16 3:37 PM
Dear MAF Team:
The health and safety of our Michoud family remains our top priority as we navigate these challenging times. After careful evaluation of agency guidance, updated federal, state, and local guidelines, and conditions in the community, we have determined that Michoud has met the conditions to transition to Stage 3 of NASA’s Framework for Return to On-site Work beginning Monday, May 18th.
Specific factors included in our evaluation were the rescission of state and city stay-at-home orders and a decrease in COVID-19 and influenza-like illnesses in the greater New Orleans area over a 14-day period.
Let me elaborate on what the transition to Stage 3 means to the MAF team. All employees who are able to telework should continue to do so. Access to the center will be limited to authorized personnel working on mission-critical tasks that must be conducted onsite.
We will slowly and methodically resume SLS Core Stage and Orion production activities, particularly critical path deliverables to support the Artemis Program. We will do so at a pace that limits personnel and follows federal guidelines for social distancing and use of personal protective equipment. The facility has been cleaned and sanitized, especially in common areas, and hand sanitizer stations have been installed at the entrances to all buildings so that everyone has access to them.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is everyone’s responsibility and there are some simple things that we all can do to keep one another safe. Face masks are required in all high-traffic and common areas including entrances, break rooms, the cafeteria, Coast Guard Exchange, and all areas occupied by Boeing. Continue washing your hands and cleaning your work stations routinely, follow the return-to-site protocol posted on MAFSpace and, most importantly, stay home if you are sick.
I urge you to stay in close touch with your supervisors for specific instructions. Also, please continue to read all communications from your supervisors, the agency, and our facility, and regularly visiting NASA People and MAFSpace for the latest information.
You are all a vital part of NASA’s mission and I thank you for your dedication, patience and support as we work through this difficult time. Please continue to take care of yourself and your families. Your health, and that of those around you, are of the utmost importance.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
Friday, May 1 2:21 PM
To our entire MAF Family,
From the beginning of this health crisis, we have endeavored to keep you informed about Michoud Assembly Facility’s status and coronavirus response, and wanted to update our Michoud team on the next steps.
Your health and safety continues to be our top priority. Michoud remains in Stage 4 of the NASA Response Framework, but is beginning to re-start critical programmatic work on-site, including preparing various facilities, equipment and work areas. This will be done through a deliberate, methodical process giving careful consideration to how this critical work will proceed safely, and we will communicate with you as we work through this process.
As some return to work on-site, I ask that you do so following enhanced COVID-19 precautions, CDC guidance and industry best practices, and apply these precautions to ensure your wellbeing. I ask for your trust and patience as we work through the safest and most consistent way to proceed.
Please continue to keep in regular contact with your supervisor and visit NASA People and MAF Spacefor the latest information.
Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. We are all grateful for the effort you are putting forth to keep things going. Stay well and look after one another.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
Monday, April 6 3:43 PM
To our entire MAF Family,
Today starts our fourth week of telework. In those four weeks, we have all received and processed a lot of communication and worked through various transitions to get where we are now - NASA framework stage 4. Thank you for working with us and quickly adjusting from one stage of the NASA framework to the next. And a very big thank you to those continuing to work at the facility on the protection of life and critical infrastructure. We appreciate each and every one of you.
Work will continue on a very limited basis at the facility with mission essential personnel to address tenant and NASA needs like ongoing roof & road repairs and turnstile construction. These times are challenging for many reasons, but I assure you that Michoud leadership is engaged in local emergency response plans and attentive to CDC recommendations and agency guidance. We are eager for a return to work onsite, but we prioritize protecting you, our employees and our tenants at Michoud, and the greater New Orleans communities.
Your health and safety and the health and safety of those around you are of the utmost importance to us. It is the reason for every cautious step we have taken throughout this process. In navigating these steps, we are all finding new and improved ways to work together that can be useful even after we return to work. Please share your thoughts and concerns with your supervisors. If there are improvements we can make to the process, we want to note them.
Continue to maintain an open and honest communication channel with your supervisors for the latest updates. I urge you to be patient and remain productive, engaged, and connected. Please look after yourselves, your families and one another. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
Thusrday, March 26 8:07 PM
A Message from your NASA MAF Employee Assistance Program Office and EAP Coordinator Porter Pryor:
Support for Employees and Family Members Dealing with Ongoing Mental Health Issues:
Stress over possible health and financial difficulties related to COVID 19 can trigger an increase in symptoms, or relapse from recovery efforts, of those with substance abuse disorders and other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Isolation and lack of family support can also contribute to an increase of symptoms. It is important to know that most service providers (individual therapist and treatment centers) are adapting to provide services by phone and online platforms. In addition, there are many links to free online support groups and mental health information. A few will be provided below.
Your NASA Center EAP office can also provide confidential supportive counseling and help directing you to resources.
To contact the MAF Employee Assistance Program Coordinator call Porter Pryor at 228-363-4910 or online at porter.j.pryor@nasa.gov.
Substance Abuse Resources:
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/virtual-recovery-resources.pdf
http://ncada-stl.org/find-help/
General Mental Health Resources:
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/covid/COVID19ManagingStress032020.pdf
https://www.every-mind.org/7493-2/
https://www.nami.org/
https://www.familyaware.org/
Domestic Violence Resource:
https://www.thehotline.org/help/
Suicide Resource:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Caregivers Resources:
https://www.caregiver.org/
https://www.alz.org/
Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, March 24, 7:29am
Dear Michoud Team,
NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility remains at Stage 4 of our agency response framework, with MANDATORY telework effective until further notice with the exception of limited personnel required to maintain the safety and security of the facility.
Today we received confirmation that an employee that works at the facility tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Contact tracing began immediately in order to identify and notify individuals who may have had significant contact with that employee.
We know there has been a lot of information coming out. Please continue to communicate with your supervisors and listen to their guidance. Your health and well-being are of the utmost importance to us. If you are sick in any manner, please stay home and take care of yourself. Please check the CDC for information on how to protect yourself and others.
The status of the facility will be updated regularly and communicated to all employees through MAF Info emails, MAF Alerts (text MAFAlert to 888777. You can opt out when you want by replying STOP), the MAFSpace website and NASAPeople site. I, along with your leadership team and agency leaders, greatly appreciate your understanding, patience, and support through this challenging period of time.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
Coronavirus Update: Monday, March 23, 9:21pm
Cafeterias: Closed
Out of an abundance of caution, the cafeterias will be closed and there will be no “grab and go” meal service until further notice.
The USCG Exchange: Limited Hours and Access
The Exchange will remain open to support the facility. It will operate during amended store hours, with a limited number of customers allowed in the store and for a limited time period to shop.
-Only 5 customers will be allowed in the store at one time.
-Each shopper will have a maximum 30 minutes to shop and to complete their purchase.
-Hours of operation:
• Monday – Friday 7:00 am- 2:00 pm
• Saturday & Sunday: closed
Coronavirus Update: Friday, March 20, 4:52pm
Summary of Workforce Coronavirus Guidance
The protection and care of the Michoud team, your families, and the entire community remains our top priority, as the workforce is adapting to a new mandatory teleworking environment. The facility is at Stage 4 of the NASA Response Framework with access restricted to mission-essential personnel. This means that the facility will begin transition operations immediately, except for protection of life and critical infrastructure operations. As we work through an orderly transition to Stage 4, the status of some of our operating activities will change over the next several days. This is current as of today and we’ll provide changes to status as they arise.
If you’re feeling sick please do not report to work. Team members should continue to monitor NASAPeople and MAF Space and communicate with your supervisors for important information and new guidance.
The status of the facility will be updated regularly, and we will continue to update you on what this means for the facility through the MAFSpace website, MAF Info emails, and through emergency MAF Alerts. If you haven’t already, please take the time to sign up for MAF Alerts – text MAFALERT to 888777. You will be able to opt out if you wish to discontinue services.
Contact your supervisors and managers with any questions and concerns, and regarding specific orderly shutdown specifics for your area.
Important Items to address NOW:
• If you are on site, after ensuring that custodial staff is notified of your intent, clean out your refrigerators and place garbage in hallways. Notify S3 facility services if you do not have access and believe this needs to be done for you or your team.
Reminders on Access, Health, and Teleworking for Mission-Essential Personnel Only:
• Gate Access:
-Gate 12 remains open to deliveries
-Gate 5 remains open to employees
• Building 101 main lobby will be closed to visitors. The NASA badging office will remain open to assist mission-essential personnel with any badging issues/problems.
• NASA medical clinic will remain operational and all physicals required for mission critical certifications will continue to be performed. The Oschner Clinic, Hope Credit Union, and the barbershop are closed to outside personnel.
• Custodial, facilities, and IT are mission-critical services and will be available. Maintain regular protocol when contacting your PSLEs and PSSMs. They will be teleworking, but they will be available by phone. If you cannot reach them, reach out to Lonnie Dutriex, Robert Champion, or Kelley Easley.
• Cafeterias:
-The cafeteria in Building 351 is closed.
-The 102 cafeteria is open to provide “grab and go” meal services for on-site mission-essential personnel. With the following hours of operation:
*6:30am to 9:30am with pre-packaged hot breakfast and breakfast sandwiches
*10:30am to 12:30pm with choice of pre-packaged entrée with 2 sides; boxed lunch with sandwich, chips, cookie, and drink; grab and go sandwiches, wraps, or salads
• Coast Guard Access:
-The Coast Guard Galley will ONLY be open to Coast Guard Personnel.
-The Coast Guard gym is open only to active duty personnel.
-The Coast Guard Exchange is open to mission-essential personnel only.
-The Coast Guard Exchange Gas Station remains open 24/7 when using credit cards.
• Cancel/postpone all visits. At this time MAF is open only to mission-essential personnel.
• The NASA fitness center will remain closed. If you need access, have your supervisor contact Christopher Cambre.
• NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) located at the John C. Stennis Space Center will be teleworking until further notice. Although they are teleworking, they are still open for business. Should you need assistance or want to file a complaint with the NASA OIG please contact SA Marcia Fox at (228) 342-8354 or SA Cameron Chabreck at (228) 332-2384. Alternatively, you may file a complaint via the NASA OIG Hotline at (800) 424-9183 or at https://oig.nasa.gov/hotline.html
In addition to monitoring the NASA People and Coronavirus.gov websites, please be aware of the following guidance:*
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, and if you have questions, do not hesitate to talk with your supervisor.
The federal government also launched the website www.coronavirus.gov with the latest information about the outbreak. This includes many ways to protect yourself and steps to take if you think you are sick. The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America: 15 Days to Slow the Spread also includes guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help limit the spread of the virus.
This situation can be understandably stressful. The MAF Employee Assistance Program is available for team members in need of support during this time. The Emergency Assistance Program Coordinator Porter Pryor is available by phone at 228-363-4910. The mental health line is available for everyone at MAF and is completely confidential.
Any employee who has been advised to self-quarantine should notify their supervisor.
Telework and Information Technology
• The NASAPeople coronavirus page includes guidance on technology, collaboration tools and VPN information.
• A list of collaboration tools and information supporting telework is available on NASA’s Remote Collaboration Services webpage.
• NASA team members may contact the Enterprise Service Desk Online at https://esd.nasa.gov/esdportal or call 1-877-677-2123 (Option 2) for I.T. troubleshooting and service.
Thursday, March 19, 6:36pm
Dear MAF Team:
NASA leadership continues to make the health and safety of the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) family the top priority. MAF will move to stage 4 of the NASA Response Framework due to the rising number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the local area, and to comply with all local and federal guidelines. While there are no confirmed cases at MAF, this step is being taken to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 and protect Michoud employees and their families.
Mandatory telework is in effect for ALL personnel until further notice, with the exception of limited personnel required to maintain the safety and security of the facility. All previously approved exceptions for onsite work are rescinded and new approvals will be required in order to gain access to the facility.
This includes that effective immediately NASA will temporarily suspend production and testing of the Space Launch System and Orion hardware.
The NASA and contractor teams will complete an orderly shutdown that puts all hardware in a safe condition until work can resume. Once this is complete, MAF personnel allowed onsite will be limited to those needed to protect life and critical infrastructure.
The facility will begin shutdown operations immediately. Additionally, all travel will be suspended. The status of the facility will be updated regularly and communicated to all employees. Please stay in close contact with your supervisor.
For all other MAF tenants and employees, access to the facility will be restricted to personnel required to protect life and critical infrastructure only, as defined in NASA’s response framework.
Please continue to pay attention to all communications from your supervisors, the agency, and our facility by visiting NASA People and MAF Space for the latest information, as those sites are updated regularly. And again, I urge you to stay in contact with your supervisor.
Your leadership, NASA leadership, and each of us at Michoud are in this together. Please continue to take care of yourself and your families. Your health and the health of those around you are of the utmost importance.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
Tuesday, March 17, 7:11am
All MAF Personnel,
The following is important guidance on access to the MAF facility now that we are in Stage 3 of our agency response framework. MAF changed its operating status to Stage 3 because more than 100 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the local area.
Mandatory telework is effective immediately until further notice. MAF remains open ONLY to mission-essential personnel, and specific employee direction will be determined by each Tenant company/agency.
The following applies to all tenants:
The Building 101 main lobby will be closed to visitors. The NASA badging office will remain open to assist mission-essential personnel with any badging issues/problems.
Hours of operation:
6:30am to 9:30am with pre-packaged hot breakfast and breakfast sandwiches
10:30am to 12:30pm with choice of pre-packaged entrée with 2 sides; boxed lunch with sandwich, chips, cookie, and drink; grab and go sandwiches, wraps, or salads
Health and Safety
Practice social distancing and good hygiene liberally, conduct virtual meetings with remote participation only, and travel only for mission-essential purposes
Telework and Information Technology
For guidance on technology, collaboration tools and VPN information, visit the NASAPeople coronavirus website. NASA team members may contact the Enterprise Service Desk Online athttps://esd.nasa.gov/esdportal or call 1-877-677-2123 (Option 2) for I.T. troubleshooting and service.
The status of the facility will be updated regularly, and we will continue to update you on what this means for the status of the facility through MAF Info emails and through emergency MAF Alerts. If you haven’t already, please take the time to sign up for MAF Alerts – text MAFALERT to 888777. Contact your supervisors and managers with any questions and concerns.
Thank you for your continued diligence, patience, and understanding as we navigate through this challenging time together.
Robert Champion
Monday, March 16, 7:11pm
Dear Michoud Team,
Though there has been no confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, MAF is moving into Stage 3 of our agency response framework, with MANDATORY telework effective immediately and until further notice.
MAF is changing its operating status to Stage 3 because more than 100 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the local area.
Access to the facility will be restricted to mission-essential personnel only, as defined in the response framework and by your company leadership.
More guidance on MAF access and available technical support will follow.
The status of the facility will be updated regularly and communicated to all employees. Please stay in close contact with your supervisor. I, along with your leadership team, greatly appreciate your understanding, patience, and support through this challenging period of time.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
A REMINDER: NASA’s EAP provides confidential, short-term, counseling assistance and referrals to employees who are dealing with issues such as depression; anxiety; family conflicts; marital /relationship concerns; eldercare/caregiving stress; substance and alcohol addiction; major life adjustments; domestic violence concerns; and occupational stress.
The Emergency Assistance Program Coordinator Porter Pryor is available by phone at 228-363-4910. The mental health line is available for everyone at MAF and is completely confidential.
Saturday, March 14, 4:16pm
All MAF Personnel,
Out of an abundance of caution, Bldg. 102 and Bldg. 320 cafeterias will be closed until further notice. The Coast Guard Galley will be open ONLY to Coast Guard Personnel.
MAF remains open with the prescribed precautions below.
Specific employee direction will be determined by each Tenant company/agency. The following actions apply to all tenants:
Employees who can/capable of telework are encouraged to telework
Cancel/postpone visits
Mission-essential visitors only with approval
The NASA fitness center is closed until further notice. If you need access, contact Christopher Cambre.
The NASA clinic will defer physicals
Practice Social distancing
Practice good hygiene liberally
Conduct virtual meetings and participate remotely
Cancel or postpone large in-person meetings and gatherings
Reduce travel that is not mission-essential
The Coast Guard Galley will ONLY be open to Coast Guard Personnel. USCG gym is open only to active duty personnel
Cafeterias in bldgs 102 and 320 will be closed until further notice
The protection and care of the NASA Michoud team is our top priority. The entire NASA team is actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and has solid plans in place to respond to this situation and other emergencies.
Employees who can work remotely are encouraged to do so. NASA’s Response Framework is posted to the NASA People website, and it presents a 4 stage approach. Operationally, Michoud is in a Stage 2 posture. To learn more about the Response Framework and for all up to date information visit the NASA People website. The direct link to the website is:
https://nasapeople.nasa.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus.htm
A REMINDER: NASA’s EAP provides confidential, short-term, counseling assistance and referrals to employees who are dealing with issues such as depression; anxiety; family conflicts; marital /relationship concerns; eldercare/caregiving stress; substance and alcohol addiction; major life adjustments; domestic violence concerns; and occupational stress.
The Emergency Assistance Program Coordinator Porter Pryor is available by phone at 228-363-4910. The mental health line is available for everyone at MAF and is completely confidential.
A REMINDER: NASA’s EAP provides confidential, short-term, counseling assistance and referrals to employees who are dealing with issues such as depression; anxiety; family conflicts; marital /relationship concerns; eldercare/caregiving stress; substance and alcohol addiction; major life adjustments; domestic violence concerns; and occupational stress.
The Emergency Assistance Program Coordinator Porter Pryor is available by phone at 228-363-4910. The mental health line is available for everyone at MAF and is completely confidential.
Friday, March 13, 3:21pm
All MAF Personnel,
The protection and care of the NASA Michoud team is our top priority. The entire NASA team is actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and has solid plans in place to respond to this situation and other emergencies.
Beginning on Monday, March 16, employees who can work remotely are encouraged to do so. NASA’s Response Framework is posted to the NASA People website, and it presents a 4 stage approach based on the level of community spread of COVID-19.
https://nasapeople.nasa.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus.htm
As of today, MAF remains open with the prescribed precautions below. Operationally, Michoud moves to a Stage 2 posture beginning on Monday.
Specific employee direction will be determined by each Tenant company/agency. The following actions apply to all tenants:
Employees who can/capable of telework are encouraged to telework
Cancel/postpone visits
Mission-essential visitors only with approval
The NASA fitness center will close at 4:00pm today until further notice. If you need access, contact Christopher Cambre.
The NASA clinic will defer physicals
Practice Social distancing
Practice good hygiene liberally
Conduct virtual meetings and participate remotely
Cancel or postpone large in-person meetings and gatherings
Reduce travel that is not mission-essential
The Coast Guard Galley will ONLY be open to Coast Guard Personnel. USCG gym is open only to active duty personnel
A REMINDER: NASA’s EAP provides confidential, short-term, counseling assistance and referrals to employees who are dealing with issues such as depression; anxiety; family conflicts; marital /relationship concerns; eldercare/caregiving stress; substance and alcohol addiction; major life adjustments; domestic violence concerns; and occupational stress.
The Emergency Assistance Program Coordinator Porter Pryor is available by phone at 228-363-4910. The mental health line is available for everyone at MAF and is completely confidential.
