[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 15, Volume 3]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 15CFR1170.4]

[Page 407]
 
                  TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE
 
      CHAPTER XI--TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 
PART 1170_METRIC CONVERSION POLICY FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1170.4  Guidelines.

    Each agency shall:
    (a) Establish plans and dates for use of the metric system in 
procurements, grants and other business-related activities;
    (b) Coordinate metric transition plans with other Federal agencies, 
State and local governments and the private sector;
    (c) Require maximum practical use of metric in areas where Federal 
procurement and activity represents a predominant influence on industry 
standards (e.g.: weapon systems or space exploration). Strongly 
encourage metrication in industry standards where Federal procurement 
and activity is not the predominant influence, consistent with the legal 
status of the metric system as the preferred system of weights and 
measures for United States trade and commerce;
    (d) Assist in resolving metric-related problems brought to the 
attention of the agency that are associated with agency actions, 
activities or programs undertaken in compliance with these guidelines or 
other laws or regulations;
    (e) Identify measurement-sensitive agency policies and procedures 
and ensure that regulations, standards, specifications, procurement 
policies and appropriate legislative proposals are updated to remove 
barriers to transition to the metric system;
    (f) Consider cost effects of metric use in setting agency policies, 
programs and actions and determine criteria for the assessment of their 
economic feasibility. Such criteria should appropriately weigh both 
agency costs and national economic benefits related to changing to the 
use of metric;
    (g) Provide for full public involvement and timely information about 
significant metrication policies, programs and actions;
    (h) Seek out ways to increase understanding of the metric system of 
measurement through educational information and guidance and in agency 
publications;
    (i) Consider, particularly, the effects of agency metric policies 
and practices on small business; and
    (j) Consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation System (48 
CFR), accept, without prejudice, products and services dimensioned in 
metric when they are offered at competitive prices and meet the needs of 
the Government, and ensure that acquisition planning considers metric 
requirements.