Susan Mcclain requested that the following NASA Langley Research Center Office of Procurement announcement be shared with LaRC Contractors Steering Council members.

As Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) becomes more readily available commercially, LaRC, and the Agency, have decided to move away from providing PPE to contractor employees.  Please see the detailed information below for frequently asked questions regarding the new policy.  Our policy remains that protection of the NASA workforce is our highest priority – if for some reason you cannot obtain the required PPE for your employees, please contact your contracting officer or contracting officer representative immediately.

Also, I would like to ask for you and your workforce’s cooperation in wearing masks when entering the LaRC front gate and coming into contact with the LaRC security forces for your protection as well as those of the security forces.   Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding this change in policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are contractor’s required to procure essential PPE required for the initial Return to Work efforts for its onsite contractor staff?

Contractors are responsible for the safety and health of their employees and thus for supplying proper PPE to employees to perform their job safely. During initial re-start, if contractors are having difficulty obtaining necessary PPE due to supply chain issues they should contact NASA contracting officer or contracting officer representative.

For contractor personnel in Wind Tunnels and Labs – will NASA be providing PPE or will the contractor be required to provide for its personnel?

Contractors are responsible for the safety and health of their employees and thus for supplying proper PPE to employees to perform their job safely. During initial re-start, if contractors are having difficulty obtaining necessary PPE they should contact NASA contracting officer or contracting officer representative.

COVID-19 related PPE consumable costs – are these to be part of the contractor’s indirect pools (OH/GA) going forward?

Each contractor should allocate costs in the most appropriate manner pursuant to their accounting system.

Susan E. McClain
Director, Office of Procurement
NASA Langley Research Center

Jonny Callahan requested that the following guidance from NASA LaRC Center Director Clayton Turner be shared with LaRC Contractors Steering Council members.

Dear Langley Team,

Based on careful analysis and planning, NASA Langley will transition to Stage 3 of the NASA Framework for Return to On-Site Work on Thursday, June 25. Throughout this process, your health and safety remain our top priority.

This guidance applies to civil service and contractor employees. Contractor program offices will provide contract-specific return to on-site work instructions directly to their employees.

While we are all eager to return to a sense of normalcy, let me emphasize that Stage 3 continues mandatory teleworking with on-site work limited to designated mission-essential and approved mission-critical work. Implementation is based on work that absolutely must be done on-site. We are limiting the number of personnel working in any one facility on any specific activity to further reduce risk.

We are taking a risk-based, phased approach that aligns with guidance from the White House, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the agency, while also giving careful consideration to information from our own state and local authorities.

As projects are prioritized to return on-site, a thorough Safety and Health Assessment (SHA) is conducted. The SHA is specific to the returning project and facilities that will be accessed. Additionally, returning employees receive training from the Emergency Operations Center staff that includes appropriate health and safety protocols, best practices, and necessary protective equipment. This is an extensive process. We appreciate the time and details it requires.

Plans for incrementally increasing on-site work in subsequent stages are also in development. As you can imagine, these stages will be more complicated as the number of on-site employees increases, so we will take the time needed to develop the safest possible strategy.

To facilitate a safe return, the team compiled materials containing current guidance. We may update these materials as we learn more and progress through the stages.

• Guiding Principles
• Summary of Principles for NASA Langley’s Return to On-Site Work in Stages 2-4
• Health & Safety Best Practices
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Additionally, please note that we are asking each returning employee or anyone accessing the center — even for an approved brief visit — to complete the “Daily COVID-19 Checklist.”

• Daily COVID-19 Checklist

At this stage, Exchange services such as the Langley Child Development Center and fitness center will remain closed. The cafeteria will remain closed as we initially transition to Stage 3. We will assess the feasibility of providing limited food service at a future date as we move closer to Stage 2 and more employees return to on-site work.

For center access information visit LaRC SOS. Also, visit the NASA People Coronavirus page for more information. We must work through this unprecedented time together. I encourage you to review this information carefully and discuss any questions or concerns with your supervisor.

I also want to reiterate that the fundamentals still apply:

• If you do not feel safe returning to on-site work or are at high risk, talk with your supervisor or contract management. Alternate work arrangements should be made without reservation or reprisal.
• If you feel sick, or someone in your household is sick, stay home.
• We each have a personal responsibility to do our part to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.
• If you are not comfortable talking with your supervisor, reach out to the leadership team or work through Langley’s Office of Diversity and Equal Employment or Ombudsman team.

I know that you will have many questions. We will do our best to answer them over time as we progress through Stage 3. In the meantime, we welcome your questions through the Take Five Conference IO tool with the password AskHere.

We will persevere and continue to do amazing work for the agency and the nation. Please take care of yourselves and your families.

Stay safe.

Clayton Turner
Director, Langley Research Center

Rob Betts requested that the following Small Business Administration (SBA) announcement be shared with LaRC Contractors Steering Council members.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, announced that it is setting aside $10 billion of Round 2 funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to be lent exclusively by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs work to expand economic opportunity in low-income communities by providing access to financial products and services for local residents and businesses. These dedicated funds will further ensure that the PPP reaches all communities in need of relief during the COVID-19 pandemic – a key priority for President Trump.

Please use this link to access the full text of SBA’s press release:

SBA and Treasury Department Announce $10 Billion for CDFIs to Participate in the Paycheck Protection Program

Rob Betts requested that the following Small Business Administration (SBA) announcement be shared with LaRC Contractors Steering Council members.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 – 9:00am EDT
SBA Sponsored
Registration Required

Webinar: SBA Economic Resources for COVID-19(EIDL)
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 – 11:00am EDT
SBA Sponsored
Registration Required

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Thursday, May 28, 2020 – 9:00am EDT
SBA Sponsored
Registration Required

Webinar: SBA Economic Resources for COVID-19(EIDL)
Thursday, May 28, 2020 – 11:00am EDT
SBA Sponsored
Registration Required

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Friday, May 29, 2020 – 9:00am EDT
SBA Sponsored
Registration Required

Webinar: SBA Economic Resources for COVID-19(EIDL)
Friday, May 29, 2020 – 11:00am EDT
SBA Sponsored
Registration Required

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Saturday, May 30, 2020 – 9:00am EDT
SBA Sponsored
Registration Required

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Sunday, May 31, 2020 – 9:00am EDT
SBA Sponsored
Registration Required

Additional Resources

SCORE Coronavirus Resources

Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Resources

Virginia PTAC

Virginia SBDC Recovery Resources

Women’s Business Center (WBC) Resources

SBA EIDL and PPP Resources

Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loan

Payroll Protection Plan

Rob Betts requested that the following Hampton City Council announcement be shared with LaRC Contractors Steering Council members.

On April 10, 2020 Hampton City Council authorized a forgivable loan assistance program for small Hampton-based businesses. The program is designed to help small businesses adversely impacted by Gov. Ralph Northam’s order to close or significantly limit business operations as outlined in Executive Order 53.

These forgivable loans of up to $10,000 are designed to give Hampton businesses access to needed cash until federal and/or state assistance funds arrive. They will be administered by the Hampton Economic Development Authority (EDA). The loans can be used for payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility expenses, marketing and other eligible business expenses incurred during normal operations. Loan applications will be accepted until available funds are exhausted or September 30, whichever is earlier.

Information on applying for the Small Business Assistance Program is available now. Please visit our COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Program page to learn more and to apply for a loan.

Businesses are also eligible to apply for an extension on local property and business personal property taxes; however, they cannot receive both forms of relief.

Businesses that apply and are accepted will have until August 1, 2020, to pay their personal property, real estate, and business personal property with no interest or penalty fees. Applicants must show they have a demonstrated financial loss or strain directly attributable to COVID-19 and not covered by unemployment and other stimulus programs.

Extension applications must be submitted to the Treasurer’s office by Friday, May 15, 2020. The Treasurer’s Office will notify taxpayers if their application is accepted.

To apply for an extension, go to hampton.gov/treasurer/covidrelief. You can apply online or download a printable form Forms must be mailed (postmarked by May 15) or delivered to the Treasurer’s Office drop box at the Ruppert Sargent Building, 1 Franklin Street. Printed applications will also be available in boxes attached to the doors of that building.