Random Employee Searches To Resume at NASA HQ

Keith’s note: This memo was just sent out to NASA SMD employees (and others). It opens with “To ensure the continued safety of our workforce and compliance with security measures, the NASA Headquarters Protective Services Office will be reinstating random searches and inspections of individuals, belongings, and vehicles…” A day or so after NASA scared 4,000+ civil servants out of their jobs (and the contractor count is still TBD), the 9th floor sends out scary memos like this to their workforce. Brian Hughes et al simply do not know how to read the room. When the White House gets around to asking NASA to do something spectacular it will become obvious that they pushed NASA to throw away far too much human expertise. And NASA management now makes a point of needlessly freaking out those who remain. You have minimal resources left Brian, Darren, Sean et al. Treat them as the valuable individuals that they are – not sheep for you to scare whenever you get a memo from the White House . (Full memo below).

Subject: Headquarters OPS To Begin Random Inspections July 30

SMD,

Please be advised of the following from our NASA Headquarters Protective Services Office:

To ensure the continued safety of our workforce and compliance with security measures, the NASA Headquarters Protective Services Office will be reinstating random searches and inspections of individuals, belongings, and vehicles entering or exiting the premises in accordance with 14 CFR 1204.1003.¹

The measure will begin July 30 and is a critical part of our shared responsibility to securing and protecting our personnel, property, and information. OPS conducts random inspections at all NASA Centers with minimal disruption. What to expect in accordance with 14 CFR 1204.1003:

Individuals and Personal Effects

1. When randomly selected in the West Lobby, individuals will be asked to walk through the metal detector. In the East Lobby, an officer will use a hand-held metal detector.
2. If the individual is carrying personal effects, those items will also be searched by the officer.
3. Once the random search is completed, the individual will proceed through the turnstiles.
   The estimated search time will be less than 3 minutes.

Vehicles

1. When randomly selected, individuals will be notified upon entry to pull over and asked to step out of the vehicle.
2. The vehicle will be inspected by the officers.
3. Once the random search is complete, the individual will return to their vehicle and proceed to the parking garage. The estimated search time will be less than 5 minutes.
   We appreciate your cooperation in helping to maintain a safe and secure environment.

¹Website: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2025-title14-vol5/CFR-2025-title14-vol5-sec1204-1003
PDF: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pka/CFR-2025-title14-vol5/pdf/CFR-2025-title14-vol5-sec1204-1003.pdf