Government Closure or Delay

In the case of severe weather conditions or an emergency situation, the NIH Training Center (NIHTC) class operating policies intersect with NIH Operating Status to provide detailed directions for students for a variety of class scenarios. In addition, in the absence of NIH/OPM Operating Status directives, NIHTC aligns with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for the rare case of an all-day local inclement weather closure.

Detailed instructions for class closures, delays, and early dismissals as they pertain to Operating Status follow below. NIHTC encourages all class participants to monitor their NIH e-mail, and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for necessary information. Students should bookmark the following NIH Dismissal and Closure resource for quick reference.

If the Federal Operating Status is…

• Open with the Option for Unscheduled Leave or Unscheduled Telework:
  All training classes will be held as scheduled.
  • Exception: If OPM status remains open with no listed delays or early closings but MCPS are CLOSED due to weather, NIHTC classes will be CANCELLED for that day. (For multi-day classes, subsequent sessions will be held as scheduled unless they are also affected by Federal Government closure.) CANCELLED days will be rescheduled.
    • NIHTC will NOT align with other delays, closings, or early dismissals posted by MCPS – just all-day closings due to weather or natural disaster.
• Closed:
  All training events will be cancelled and rescheduled: (For multi-day classes, subsequent sessions will occur as scheduled unless they are also affected by Federal Government closure.)
• Open under Delayed Arrival at 10:30 am or earlier:
  All morning classes will begin at the time designated by OPM Open operating status. (e.g. If there is a 1-hour delay and the class is scheduled for 8:30 am, it will start at 9:30 am. Or, if OPM operating status is Opening at 10:30 am, then class will start at 10:30 am.).
• Open under Delayed Arrival at 11:00 am or later:
  • Multi-day classes will begin at the time or the same amount of time delayed as designated by OPM Open operating status (If Operating Status is Open at 11 am, class begins at 11 am).
  • Training Classes with a duration of one day OR less will be cancelled and rescheduled.
• Staggered Early Departure, such that Employees Must Depart No Later than XX:XX:
  Classes will proceed until XX:XX.
  • Classes terminated two hours early or LESS will not be rescheduled.
  • Classes cancelled more than 2 hours from the original end time will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the NIH Training Center and instructor to decide if rescheduling is needed.
• Immediate Departure:
  Classes will cease immediately.
  • Classes terminated two hours early or LESS will not be rescheduled.
  • Classes cancelled more than 2 hours from the original end time will be reviewed on a case by case basis. The NIH Training Center and the instructor will decide if rescheduling is needed.
• Shelter-in-Place procedures and closed to the public:
  Classes will not run and will be rescheduled. (For multi-day classes, subsequent sessions will run as scheduled unless they are also affected by Federal Government closure.)
  • Classes terminated two hours early or LESS will not be rescheduled. For multi-day classes, subsequent sessions will run as scheduled unless they are also affected by Federal Government closure.
  • Classes cancelled more than 2 hours from the original end time will be reviewed on a case by case basis. The NIH Training Center and the instructor will decide if rescheduling is needed.

OPM has issued a complete guide to the DC area dismissal or closure procedures. Operating status and policy information is available at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/current-status/.

Note to instructors and contracted vendors:  In the event that rescheduling a class day is not an option, the contracted vendor shall provide the NIHTC COR (assigned Program Manager) with verifiable documentation of expenses incurred which will be reviewed for equitable adjustment in the program delivery schedule, contract price, or both.