[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 15, Volume 3]

[Revised as of January 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 15CFR1170.4]



[Page 427]

 

                  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.