MAF is in Stage 2 of the NASA Return to Work On-Site Framework.
For more information on the different stages, visit NASAPeople.nasa.gov
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.
June 10, 2021
MAF Stage 2 Transition announcement
Dear MAF Team:
I want to commend each of you for the support and dedication you have demonstrated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Collectively, the Michoud team has been resilient, never faltered and your efforts to continue NASA’s mission have not gone unnoticed. We have endured personal losses, more than 14 months of mandatory telework, additional safety protocols on-site, and the added stress of managing a work-life balance like never before.
Because of our vigilance and dedication to keeping one another safe, Michoud Assembly Facility will return to Stage 2 of NASA’s Framework for Return to On-Site Work on June 14. During Stage 2 most restrictions will remain in place with little to no change. While Stage 2 means more work can be authorized to return to site, telework is still expected for most of our team members, especially office workers as the federal occupancy limit remains at 25%. Employees coming onsite to work during Stage 2 will need prior approval from their supervisor. Please keep lines of communication open with your leadership for information on how this stage transition directly affects you and your organization.
Masks, social distancing, and 25% occupancy limit will still be required in the gym, including those who are fully vaccinated.
The Cafeteria remains open for breakfast (6:30 – 9:30 a.m.) and lunch (10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.) for takeout orders only. In addition to the cafeteria, the Coast Guard Express Mini Mart is now open and will remain open 24-hours with self-service available.
The protection and care of everyone at Michoud remains our top priority. The new mask guidance NASA issued in May for those who are vaccinated will remain in place and we encourage each of you to get a vaccine. The MAF Clinic received the Moderna vaccine and is currently accepting appointments. The vaccine is available to all MAF government and commercial tenants. Shots will be administered at the MAF Clinic inside of Bldg. 320. Those interested should call the clinic directly at 504-257-2701 between 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM to make an appointment. The MAF Clinic will not be accepting walk-ins at this time. Please ensure to call ahead and schedule an appointment which will allow for quicker processing times and ensuring social distancing restrictions are followed.
These guidelines are consistent with our experience of managing through COVID-19 this past year and reflect what we have learned throughout that time.
We will continue to monitor the situation within our region and the greater New Orleans area and determine if/when the guidelines should be adjusted to meet the health and safety needs of our team.
As we transition into Stage 2, we will continue to update you regularly on what this means for the status of the Facility through MAF Info emails and through MAF Alerts. If you haven’t already, please take the time to sign up for MAF Alerts – text MAFALERT to 888777.
Please continue to remain in constant contact with your supervisors for guidance and read all communications from MAF, the agency and by regularly visiting NASAPeople and MAFSpace for the latest information.
Your support and dedication are greatly appreciated as we navigate through these times. Thank you for your patience and collaboration as we continue to keep the mission moving forward.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
Craig Betbeze
NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility
504-419-5333
craig.c.betbeze@nasa.gov
May 18, 2021
New on-site facemask guidance for MAF Info
Dear MAF Team:
Reflecting on the challenges we have all faced while navigating through the COVID-19 restrictions for more than a year, I am proud of the spectacular job the MAF community has done adhering to federal, state, and agency guidelines. I thank you all for your vigilance in keeping yourselves and each other safe; you have truly made a difference. Although we are not entirely out of harm’s way, as more people get vaccinated things can begin to return to pre-COVID conditions. Last week the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released new COVID face mask guidance for those who have been fully vaccinated. Remaining consistent with the CDC guidelines, NASA is updating its COVID-19 policies, which makes on-site work at Michoud more comfortable.
Effective immediately, fully vaccinated MAF team members who are at least two weeks past their final dose are no longer required to wear facemasks or physically distance on federal properties.
Team members who are not fully vaccinated AND at least two weeks past their final dose should continue to wear a mask and physically distance on NASA property. Employees may also choose to continue wearing a mask onsite if they feel more comfortable doing so.
Employees are encouraged to maintain personal responsibility as to their vaccination status to respect the safety and health of the MAF family. Supervisors are currently not permitted to ask an employee about their vaccination status or use their vaccination status to deny entrance to worksites. Employees who are hesitant to return to work under the current circumstances should talk with their supervisors to address their concerns and enable their work, which still may include telework.
As a reminder, this guidance applies to NASA facilities and federal property. Private companies may have their own guidance related to masks or physical distancing that employees need to follow when at their facilities.
MAF currently remains in Stage 3 of the NASA Framework for Return to On-Site Work, which means mandatory telework status with site access restricted only to those individuals permitted on-site for approved mission-critical and mission-essential work, or with supervisor permission. The Federal restriction to not exceed 25% occupancy limit for onsite work remains in effect.
The MAF leadership team has assessed our readiness to move to Stage 2 of the NASA framework and anticipates moving to Stage 2 shortly. Organizations have already determined the additional onsite work that will be added when the stage change is activated. Onsite work will still be activated with COVID-19 protocols in place and with careful work packages. When Stage 2 is activated, most team members, particularly office workers, will remain in mandatory telework.
Please continue to remain in constant contact with your supervisors for guidance and read all communications from MAF, the agency and by regularly visiting NASAPeople and MAFSpace for the latest information.
Your continued support and dedication are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your patience and collaboration as we continue to keep the mission moving forward.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
Craig Betbeze
NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility
504-419-5333
craig.c.betbeze@nasa.gov
January 10, 2021
MAF Transition to modified NASA COVID Stage 3
Beginning Monday, January 11th, 1st Shift, Michoud Assembly Facility will return to Stage 3 of NASA’s Framework for Return to On-Site Work with some modifications. While there has been no on-site spread of COVID-19, our local area is experiencing an increase in activity. The protection and care of everyone at Michoud remains our top priority. Please keep lines of communication open with your leadership for information on how this directly affects you and your organization.
The modified Stage 3 will include the following changes:
- On-site work limited to mission-essential personnel
- Employees who must be onsite to perform work, can return with supervisor approval, all others will continue to telework
- Facility staffing capacity will be reduced from 50% to 25%
- Restricted travel within NASA
- Lobby open only to scheduled appointments and to mission-essential personnel
- Food services in 102 will be open for take-out only, no seating
- Ochsner will operate by appointment
- Gym access reduced to four people at a time (reduced from eight) and by appointment only, no walk-ins allowed
- Exchange limited to six patrons at a time
During Stage 3 we will continue safe practices such as:
- Mask will be mandatory when on site at all times including when in close proximity of one or more personnel and in all general area such as rest rooms, break areas, cafeteria, common aisles, etc.
- Maintaining a social distancing minimum of six feet
- Sanitizing and cleaning
- Alert Trace Monitoring for NASA and NASA Contractors
- Quarantine for 10 days if you have had close contact (within six feet for more than 15 minutes) with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19
- S3 staffing for craft, custodial, construction and supervision will remain at current levels on-site
- Security Walls will remain at current levels
These modifications are consistent with our experience of managing through COVID-19 these past ten months and reflect what we have learned throughout that time.
We will continue to monitor the situation within our region and the greater New Orleans area and determine if/when the guidelines should be adjusted to meet the health and safety needs of our team.
It is everyone’s responsibility to keep one another safe, and we should all adhere to the guidance set forth by healthcare professionals. Please continue to remain in constant contact with your supervisors for guidance and read all communications from MAF, the agency and by regularly visiting NASAPeople and MAFSpace for the latest information.
Your support and dedication are greatly appreciated as we navigate through these difficult times. Thank you for your patience and collaboration as we continue to keep the mission moving forward.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
Craig Betbeze
NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility
504-419-5333
craig.c.betbeze@nasa.gov
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January 2022
