Federal Metric Progress in 1993 

G. P. Carver 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Technology Administration 

National Institute of Standards 

and Technology 

Gaithersburg, MD 20899 NIST LOGO

Federal Metric Progress

in 1993

G. P. Carver

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Technology Administration 

National Institute of Standards 

and Technology 

Gaithersburg. MD 20899 DOC LOGO

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Ronald H. Brown, Secretary

TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION 

Mary L Good, Under Secretary for Technology

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY 

Arati Prabbakar, Director

April 1994

Federal Metric Progress in 1993

The federal agency focus on broad strategies for implementing metric use in business-related activities 

and on closer cooperation with industry has led to impressive gains.

Keywords: Federal agencies, metric, metric system, metric transition, metrication; SI
Introduction

During 1993, cooperation among the federal agencies on interagency issues led to more uniform metric 

transition approaches. Individually, agencies made significant progress in implementing metric use in 

their programs. However, the amount of progress by different agencies also showed significant 

variation. 

Cooperative Progress

Cooperative initiatives among the federal agencies led to impressive results in 1993. The following are 

some examples. 

Acquisition Guidelines. The interagency Metrication Operating Committee developed guidance on the 

use of the metric system in acquisitions by federal agencies. The guidance document, which was 

endorsed by the Interagency Council on Metric Policy, describes actions that should be taken by agency 

heads, planners, program officers, requisitioners, and procuring officials to implement metric use in 

federal acquisitions. The guidance also describes approaches to effect metric preference and to include 

metric use in acquisition documents. This guidance reinforces and supplements federal acquisition 

regulations. 

Functional subcommittees. The Steering Group of the Metrication Operating Committee developed a 

set of deliverables for the interagency functional subcommittees. As a result, the subcommittees were 

reinvigorated and in some cases also redirected. Because of the growing recognition of the value--and 

necessity--for agencies to cooperate on common goals and shared problems, agencies renewed their 

commitments to the subcommittee process. Currently, the active subcommittees are Construction, 

Consumer Assistance, Financial Assistance, Fuel and Power, Health Care, Procurement and Supply, 

Public Education and Awareness, Small Business Assistance, Standards and Metric Practices, and 

Transportation. 

Strategic Approach. The consensus of the representatives on the interagency council and the operating 

committee is that the metric transition program is not intended to be separate from everyday agency 

operations. Metric use is not independent of other important national issues. Therefore, the agencies' 

strategy is to incorporate the use of metric units into all administrative and programmatic functions that 

are measurement sensitive. Furthermore, agencies recognize that metric use must be an element of 

education, job creation, work force retraining, export promotion, competitiveness, and other important 

initiatives. 

Public Affairs. A federal metric public affairs strategy was developed and coordinated through the 

metric committees and steering group. The objectives are to provide accurate information on federal 

metric policy, achievements, and plans; to include metric information in communications that involve 

federal policy issues, such as competitiveness, trade, technology development and commercialization, 
and education; and to include metric guidance in programs that provide assistance to industry. 

Metric Transition Plan Revision. The federal agencies of the Metrication Operating Committee agreed 

to review and update their metric transition plans to reflect recent accomplishments. Most of the 

agencies' original plans were written in 199 1. 

Expanded Agency-industry Cooperation. The federal agencies assisted industrial firms, especially 

small businesses, as well as trade and standards organizations, by consulting with them on metric use, by 

providing information on the use of the metric system, and by referring them to additional sources of 

information. The commercial construction industry is continuing its collaboration with federal agencies 

through the Construction Metrication Council, which is directed by the National Institute of Building 

Sciences. Already, a total of over $20 billion in metric federal construction is ongoing or completed; no 

problems or extra costs were reported due to metric use. Recently, the highway construction, paper, 

printing, surveying, and shipbuilding industries began discussions and collaborations with federal 

agencies to gain the benefit of a cooperative metric transition. 

Federal Standard 376. The federal standard, Preferred Metric Units for General Use by the Federal

Government, was approved by the agencies of the Metrication Operating Committee and was issued by 

the General Services Administration for use by all federal agencies [1]. The new federal standard, 

designated Fed Std 376B, is an improved version of the 1983 version that was designated 376A. The 

updated version contains guidance for federal and contractor personnel on using the modern metric 

system [2] and conversion factors among metric and nonmetric units. 

Individual Agency Progress

As reported in 1992, the federal agencies are making significant progress to implement metric use in 

their programs [3]. The variation in progress among agencies is due primarily to the different degrees 

that agencies are involved with metric or metric-ready industries, the number of new initiatives in which 

agencies can initiate use of the metric system, and the amount of visible highlevel leadership that is a 

key to full participation by agency employees. Nevertheless, there are new opportunities for metric use 

created by downsizing, new roles and missions for agencies, and defense conversion. 

Although the federal agencies are making progress in applying the metric system to their activities, the 

overall effort is somewhat fragmented. In the annual metric reports provided by the agencies, there is an 

evident hesitation to set completion dates, especially where the completion of metric conversion 

involves decisions made by industry or involves other actions outside the control of the federal agencies. 

In addition, there is some hesitancy to take measures to encourage suppliers and clients where such 

measures might be perceived as "forcing" industry to change. The reports tend to elevate minor elements 

of the metric transition, such as employee training and incidental conversions. The interagency groups 

have not developed consensus strategies to maintain the emphasis on the important issues relating to 

industry. 
The following agency summaries illustrate the federal agency metric transition effort by highlighting 

selected examples of accomplishments that were reported by the individual federal agencies. The 

summaries are representative of federal agency actions and are not an exhaustive description of the total 

progress. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Department of Agriculture established departmentwide 

policy and assigned responsibilities for an orderly transition to use of the metric system. Department 

policy grants a general exemption from metric conversion for projects and programs that directly affect 

individual farmers. All other requests for waivers or exemptions are processed in accordance with a 

metric waiver process. Most major programs that do not affect individual farmers directly are being 

converted or have plans to use metric units, usually in conjunction with inch-pound units. 

Department of Commerce (DOC). The Department of Commerce is uniquely concerned with national 

economic and technical policies and objectives, including the federal metric transition for which DOC 

has leadership responsibilities. This year, the department led the development and acceptance of an 

interagency metric procurement policy, put into place annual progress reporting guidelines for all 

agencies, published a variety of assessment and metric-use reports, and continued to direct and facilitate 

the federal agency metric transition. In addition, the department disseminated a large amount of 

information about the federal agencies' metric transition, about metric conversion issues, and about the 

metric system of units and its use. 

This year the department will adopt a new metric transition plan. The plan contains an overall 

framework and timetable for more detailed metric transition plans for the programs of the operating 

units. Metric use is being realistically integrated into operations. 

The National Institute of Standards and technology (NIST), the agency that performs the department's 

interagency metric leadership and coordination, has long been an advocate of the benefits of completing 

the transition to metric use in U.S. trade and commerce. Recently, NIST revised its internal metric 

transition plan, completed metric training for acquisition and contracts officials, established a metric 

procurement policy, and began designing a $150 million capital improvement project to metric 

specifications. NIST issued a variety of publications aimed at facilitating metric transition and 

maintained a database of metrication documents and references. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued metric guidelines for all line offices and 

will shortly issue procurement procedures for metric-preferred procurements. The specifications for two 

new research ships are being written in metric units; it is anticipated that the ships will be constructed to 

metric standards. Environmental satellite programs, weather research and information (except for final 

transfer to the general public), geodetic survey data, and nautical charts are already metric or are being 

converted. 

The Minority Business Development Agency sent metric information packets to its Minority Business 

Development Centers and will soon run metric focus workshops across the U.S. 
Department of Defense (DOD). A variety of metric-based and partly metric weapon systems and 

subsystems are in research, development, testing, and evaluation, or in production. Well known 

examples of new metric-predominant systems are the Army's RAH-66 Comanche helicopter (currently 

unfunded for production, but three prototypes are authorized), the T-45A Navy trainer, and the Navy's 

LX assault landing ship. Metric-based requirements have been developed and incorporated into 

specifications and standards. With input from industry and the standards community, DOD is continuing 

to develop, or often adopt from non-government sources, needed metric standards and specifications to 

support the procurement of metric material. 

Military operations are largely conducted in metric units. Test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment 

largely use metric measurements. Virtually all grant programs now use metric units. DOD has 

significant and broadly based cooperative efforts with industry in the areas of construction, electronics, 

and fiber optics. DOD's Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office participates actively in 

DOD metric planning and implementation efforts. Although DOD must continue to support a huge 

inventory of weapons systems and other military material that was designed and produced in the inchpound system, DOD policy is to produce newly designed military systems using metric units. Therefore, 

the extent of transition to metric equipment and material is dependent on approvals of new weapons 

programs and on industry capabilities and decisions that make commercial metric items available. 

Department of Education. The Department of Education completed a metric transition plan and 

published metric acquisition regulations. The acquisition regulations are designed to foster use of the 

metric system in acquisition and to provide guidance to vendors. In the next year, the department will 

explore the feasibility of issuing metric preference regulations for grants and win feature articles in its 

publications about metric transition. 

Through the National Education Goals, the department continues to explore strategies to encourage 

metric education in the Nation's schools. However, it is not authorized to require metric education and 

cannot become involved in mandating any area of curriculum. 

Department of Energy (DOE). Metric transition planning in the Department of Energy is two tiered. 

The departmental plan addresses major transition issues and policies. The heads of all elements that 

report to the secretary have created, or are currently creating, more detailed implementation plans. 

Metrication (usually through the use of dual units) is being implemented in departmental publications, 

standards, procurement activities, design services, and other areas. A number of programs are working 

with industry to develop metric standards. For example, the Fossil Energy Program is working with the 

American Petroleum Institute. Most programs have initiated pilot metric construction projects. New 

projects that are initiated after January 1, 1994, will use metric units wherever possible. Most research 

and production activities already use metric units. Metric training classes are being held for both federal 

and contractor personnel. Internal and external awareness activities have been initiated. Existing nuclear 

facilities at certain sites are currently excepted because of safety concerns, planned decommissioning, 

and existing nonmetric regulations. 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Department of Health and Human Services 

established a Metric Transition Steering Committee to share department-wide metric accomplishments 

and ideas and to collect information on progress. Department organizational components are developing 

pilot metric construction projects and are including metric policy and procedures in certain training 

courses. 

The Public Health Service (PHS) has the most direct and active involvement in metric conversion. The 

PHS Grants Policy Statement contains guidance for grantees requiring the use of metric units in 

proposals, reports, publications, and other documents relating to grants. Guidance for the use of metric 

units for contracts has been developed and incorporated in the DHHS General Administration Manual. 

Among the most visible department efforts in metric use are the regulations proposed by PHS's Food 

and Drug Administration to implement the metric nutritional and net-content labeling legislation. Most 

research in PHS, except for clinical research, uses metric measurements almost exclusively. The 

National Institutes of Health converted acquisition activities to metric use (typically using dual units), 

initiated a pilot metric project for the design and construction of a $950,000 animal center building 

addition, and began using the metric system as the measurement system for the Clinical Center. 

Department of the Interior (DOI). The Department of the Interior metric transition plan was approved 

by DOI's metric executive. DOI bureaus are in the process of completing their individual metric 

transition plans. The Interior Metric Work Group addressed department-wide metric issues, coordinated 

metric transition efforts, and disseminated information on the activities of other agencies. The bureaus 

are making steady progress in using metric units in reports and maps and are beginning to use the metric 

system in other activities. They are identifying measurement-sensitive programs and requirements to 

revise regulations, policies, manuals, standards, and publications. Schedules for completing revisions 

will be developed and implemented. Metric construction pilot projects and metric training are underway. 

Within the next year, implementation of bureau metric transitions plans will be well underway, revision 

of regulations and other measurement-sensitive items will continue, and the use of metric units in 

procurements and in grants will be well established. Many popular items such as handbooks, national 

park brochures, posters, and reports already use metric units. 

The Geological Survey (GS) has long had a policy to encourage metric use in official technical products. 

The GS Yearbook and other popular publications have dual dimensions, and metric units are used 

extensively in program activities. Maps and digital map products in the 1: I 00,000 scale are produced 

using metric units; the 1:250,000 products are being converted. Progress continues on developing a 

capability to produce other digital map products in metric units. 

Department of Labor (DOL). The Secretary of Labor issued an order affirming the goal of metric 

conversion and assigning responsibility for conversion. The Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys are 

currently using a dual system of units and respondents are able to use either metric or inch-pound 

measurements. Metric measurements will be implemented in publications as resources become 

available. The January 1993 issue of the CPI Detailed Report was the first to incorporate metric 

measurements. An Employment and Training Administration metric steering group was established and 

the metric system is being integrated into appropriate curricula at job Corps centers. The Mine Safety 
and Health Administration encourages the use of metric units by providing guidance to the mining 

industry and facilitating conversion at the industry's pace, rather than requiring it through rule making. 

The current goal is to include equivalent metric units in rules and standards as alternative measures. The 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration's new and revised regulations have included metric 

equivalents since 1977, and all existing regulations will be converted to dual units during 1995. 

Department of State. All Department of State overseas diplomatic construction is designed and 

constructed using metric specifications. Domestic acquisitions, contracts, and other businessrelated 

documents use metric units to the extent possible in accord with the department's metric system 

implementation guidelines. Contracting opportunities are advertised in metric measurements and a 

special metric notice was published in the Commerce Business Daily. A special notice on the metric 

transition program has also been included in the department's Guide to Doing Business with the 

Department of State.

The department's metric implementation guidelines contain procedures for metric-use waivers and 

require periodic progress reports from domestic and overseas contracting activities on metric 

accomplishments. The guidelines also promote metric considerations during the acquisition planning 

phase of larger contracts. 

Department of Transportation (DOT). The department provided guidance to its operating 

administrations on metric conversion and coordinated their metric transition activities. Many of the 

modal administrations responded by issuing instructions for applicants, suppliers, and contractors on the 

use of the metric system in documents. 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) cooperated with the American Association of State 

Highway and Transportation Officials in converting design, construction, bridge, and material guides to 

metric specifications. FHWA led the development of the National Highway Institute's metric training 

course. The Administration is converting highway reporting software to use metric units. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) converted nineteen of its fifty-one 

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards into draft metric standards and is preparing to obtain public 

comment prior to making them final rules. Conversion of the Fatal Accident Reporting System and the 

National Accident Sampling System is underway and is expected to be completed in 1994. NHTSA's 

Office of Traffic Safety Programs is preparing new traffic safety documents with dual units. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised its procurement procedures to include use of metric 

units and issued guidance on the use of metric units in air-port layout and construction. The 

administration will explore the introduction of metric units in aircraft specifications. 

Coast Guard metric initiatives include requiring metric as wen as inch-pound units in bridge permit 

drawings and in public notices for bridge projects. New ships are increasingly incorporating metric 

specifications. 
Among the other administrations in the department, the Maritime Administration advised the industry of 

its intentions to design and procure new ship construction in metric units; the Federal Transit 

Administration initiated procurement action for software modifications to the local transit agency 

performance reporting system to allow for metric reporting capability; the Federal Railroad 

Administration is using the metric system as the primary measurement system for the National Maglev 

Initiative; the Research and Special Projects Administration published its metric conversion plans in the 

Federal Register in January 1993; and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation began 

using dual units in bidding documents and in specifications for contracted engineering projects. 

Department of the Treasury. The Department of the Treasury's economic and financial focus mean 

that its programs are generally not measurement sensitive. Nevertheless, the department has converted a 

variety of activities to metric use. For example, tariffs, trade information, drawings for facilities 

management, and some types of acquisitions have already been converted to metric use. 

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing uses metric presses for currency and stamp production. The U.S. 

Mint makes some coins to metric specifications. Other coins, blank pieces, and tooling weights and 

dimensions will be converted to metric units by the end of this year. Specifications for purchases of 

metals are also being converted this year. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the largest federal user of printing and publishing services (except 

for the Government Printing Office, which is in the legislative branch), is leading the federal transition 

to standard metric paper sizes. IRS chaired an interagency work group that developed recommendations 

for phased transition to metric printing and publishing. In 1992, IRS requested bids on two tax 

instruction publications in metric sizes, but the bids were unacceptably high. Another attempt at 

procuring metric-size Lax publications will be made this year. IRS intends to convert to standard metric 

sizes as the capabilities of the printing and paper manufacturing industries allow. 

IRS is collecting information on metric products from its vendors through a Commerce Business Daily 

notice and a direct survey. Metric analysis is required in all IRS acquisition plans. 

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Department of Veterans Affairs adopted policies and 

guidelines for cost-effective metrication programs. The department's metric plan and policy are intended 

to ensure that key officials use the metric system in procurements, grants, and other business-related 

activities. Also, key officials must establish a process for policy-level review of all requested 

exemptions and delays in metric use, encourage industry to change to the metric system, handle metric 

conversion costs as normal operating expenses, increase employee awareness and understanding of the 

metric system through training, and monitor and report on metric conversion activities. 

The department implemented an extensive metric-awareness program that includes articles in VA 

publications and posters depicting "Victor the Valiant,' the VA mascot. Metric measurements are 

included in all new or revised VA X-series specifications and commercial item descriptions. A metric 

product acceptability clause is included in procurements. It permits acceptance of metric products when 
their specifications fall within tolerances in standardization documents. 

The Integrated Supply Management System incorporates metric product information as it becomes 

available. Procedures are in place for converting measurements in the Space Planning Criteria Handbook 

and the Equipment Guide List. VA supply depots have been buying metric tools and mechanics have 

been trained to use metric measurements. Dual units are used in transportation-related reports and in 

solicitations and catalogs for aids for the blind, hearing aids and accessories, flexible orthoses, and 

prosthetic socks. The National Acquisition Center identified specifications, procurement documents, 

purchase descriptions, supply schedules, medical equipment, drugs and pharmaceutical products, and 

subsistence program documents for conversion to metric units. Some Decentralized Hospital Computer 

Program modules already contain metric units, and others are being reviewed for conversion. 

AU VA elements have been informed of the commitment to metric conversion and are addressing 

appropriate actions. Metric units will be used in conjunction with nonmetric units for an interim period. 

The goal is metric-only use when industry and other clients of the VA are willing to complete the 

conversion. 

Agency for International Development (USAID). The Agency for International Development uses 

metric units in its systems and procedures to the maximum extent practical. Metric requirements were 

implemented in most of the agency directives that contain measurementsensitive items, and revision of 

the remaining directives will be completed by 1994. Standard metric paper sizes were adopted, and a 

schedule for converting paper stocks to metric size paper will he adopted by 1994. Twelve of the 28 

measurement-sensitive agency forms have been revised to enable the reporting of data in metric or dual 

units, and the remaining forms will incorporate metric units in their next revisions. Articles on metric 

transition have been published in agency newsletters, and conversion tables were distributed to 

employees and published in the agency telephone directory. Training has been provided for the 

employees most affected by metric transition. 

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The Central Intelligence Agency has an ongoing, disciplined plan 

to convert to metric use. All scheduled tasks in the plan to date have been met. Directorate metric 

advocates were trained and given a mandate to act as educators, mentors, and reviewing and approving 

officials for any requested exemptions. 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The commodity exchanges that are regulated by 

the Commodity Futures Trading Commission use measurement systems dictated by prevailing 

commercial practices. The CFTC complies with General Services Administration schedules and 

regulations in its procurements. 

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The Consumer Product Safety Commission adopted 

the use of the metric system where it is feasible in procurements, except that procurement of items 

supplied by the General Services Administration is subject to its metric conversion. Because regulatory 

activities involve amending or modifying existing regulations that use inch-pound units or developing 
new regulations based upon unique data sources that rise inch-pound units, metric conversion of 

programmatic activities is being addressed oil an individual program basis. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Environmental Protection Agency relies on the metric 

system for the vast majority of its measurement-sensitive activities. Inch-pound units in some statutory 

and regulatory language and nonmetric data supplied by other sources currently limit the agency's 

complete conversion to metric use. The agency is drafting a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to guide 

state and local governments in the use of metric units in EPA grants. The agency is exploring 

opportunities to extend its metric policy to all other grantees. 

Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Federal Communication Commission adopted 

regulations that completed, with two exceptions, the metric conversion of Title 47 of the Code of 

Federal Regulations. The two exceptions included rules that are based on nonmetric international 

standards, and rules that involve long standing, nonmetric industry practices that have no impact on 

international trade. In addition, the FCC began work on a conversion plan for all databases, forms, 

instruction manuals, and bulletins. 

Federal Maritime Commission. The Federal Maritime Commission's only measurement-sensitive 

activities involve tariffs. The Automated Tariff Filing and Information System will permit users to make 

calculations using either metric or inch-pound units. 

Government Printing Office (GPO). The Government Printing Office conducted a survey of federal 

agencies to determine the level of preparedness for using standard metric paper sizes in printing and 

publishing. In addition, GPO informed its printing contractors of the phased transition to metric-size 

printing and publishing that has already begun in some federal agencies. GPO currently stocks and sells 

standard-size metric paper and provides metric-size printed products in response to requests by federal 

agencies. GPO's work force is being trained and familiarized with the metric system. 

General Services Administration (GSA). A new General Services Administration directive revises the 

agency's metric policy and provides additional direction for using the metric system in procurements, 

grants, and business-related activities. It also establishes procedures for reviewing and approving 

requested exceptions to metric use. 

GSA's Federal Supply Service (FSS) completed its review of 2,857 federal product description 

documents to identify the metric status of those that are measurement sensitive. Three hundred thirtyfive documents were converted to metric use, eighty-two were classified non-measurement sensitive, 

and ninety-three were canceled. Eighteen more are scheduled for conversion in the immediate future. 

The remaining documents are scheduled to be converted to metric measurements over the next five 

years. FSS is also surveying and advising suppliers of its plans to convert to the metric system. Over 

seventy such contacts have been made. Typically, firms report that they have few metric products but 

that using metric units to describe existing nonmetric products ('soft' conversion) is acceptable. 
GSA's Public Building Service is a leader in initiating metric construction projects. Over $1 billion of 

GSA construction projects have been proposed to start before the milestone date of January 1, 1994. 

Several metric projects were completed at or below projected cost, on schedule, and with fewer errors 

than expected for similar nonmetric projects during engineering design. PBS developed a directory of 

metric building construction materials, supported the Metrication Construction Council of the National 

Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), and contributed to the development of the NIBS "Construction 

Metrication Guide." 

GSA's Information Resources Management Services (IRMS) issued a Federal Information Resources 

Management Regulation Bulletin on the use of metric measures in Federal Information Processing 

resource acquisitions. IRMS also included information about the use of the metric system in the 

Standard Solicitation Document Guide. 

The Federal Property Resources Service began using dual measurements in all inspection reports, 

disposal plans, appraisals, environmental statements, invitations for bid, and other control documents. It 

also upgraded its computerized management system to incorporate both metric and nonmetric units. 

GSA's Office of Public Affairs (OPA) has taken steps to inform Government, industry, and the public on 

its metric transition activities and to promote utilization of the metric system. The Consumer 

Information Center (CIC) of OPA publicized and distributed the brochure "Metric Measures Up." In the 

nine-month period ending June 1993, the CIC distributed almost 67,000 copies in response to requests. 

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization is informing industry of the agency 

transition through counseling sessions, trade fairs, procurement conferences, and publications. A section 

on the use of the metric system in agency procurements was included in the publication, Doing Business 

with GSA.

International Trade Commission (USITC). International Trade Commission employees are required 

to acquaint themselves with the metric system and to use it in commission policies, programs and 

actions. Each office has a binder containing metric information and the commission's local area network 

provides access to a conversion program, as well as to metric-use announcements. In the commission's 

"Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States" virtually all units are metric units. As a result, 

virtually all U.S. international trade is conducted in metric units and all U.S. trade statistics are reported 

in metric units. In investigative and fact-finding reports on U.S. industries, metric use depends on 

whether the industries involved use metric units. 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Following completion in 1995 of 

international initiatives to acquire metric capability, NASA will use the metric system for research and 

new development when industry can provide the required external support capabilities. All new 

programs should be using the metric system by 1998, except where they are directly related to past inchpound programs. 
The NASA field installations completed metric transition studies for space hardware development and 

for operations. In 1992, they began assessing requirements for space-quality piece parts fabricated to 

metric standards, and developed qualifications for high priority parts such as threaded fasteners and fluid 

fittings. The field installations developed metric transition plans, bought metric measurement equipment 

and machine tools, and informed and trained employees on the use of the metric system. 

Five of the eight Space Shuttle launches in 1992 carried hybrid payloads consisting of NASA inchpound experiments and metric elements from foreign sources, such as the European Space Agency 

(ESA). In addition, there were two fully metric payloads: Eureca, a retrievable satellite built by ESA, 

and Laser Geodynamics Satellite, which is a cooperative program with Italy for an upper stage rocket 

and satellite. The engineering analyses and physical integration of the hardware for these programs 

expanded NASA's metric experience and ability to assess metric program support needs. Scheduled 

Shuttle flights for 1993 will carry five hybrid and two fully metric payloads. In 1994, seven of ten 

launches are scheduled to carry hybrid payloads. 

NASA and the Department of Defense will report the results of a feasibility study on use of the metric 

system for a next-generation launch vehicle. Design began for two flight projects that use metric units 

for new hardware and inch-pound units for inherited subsystems. The National Aero-Space Plane 

project, also in cooperation with the Department of Defense, will reevaluate the possibility of metric use 

during 1993 when the project begins the design of a research vehicle. 

The NASA small and disadvantaged business utilization program began including metric information in 

workshops for businesses seeking opportunities with NASA. All materials produced by the NASA 

education program use the metric system and NASA will work with the news media to encourage news 

releases about NASA's use of the metric system. NASA management intends to use the metric system 

for all technical support operations, administrative functions and externally oriented activities by the end 

of 1995. In 1993, NASA will start the design for twelve facilities (worth $17.5 million) and selected 

subsystems for two flight projects that will use the metric system. 

National Science Foundation (NSF). All National Science Foundation programs use metric units and 

discourage the inclusion of inch-pound equivalents. All actions to effect metric transition that are within 

the authority of the agency have been taken, without any exceptions to metric use. The remaining 

nonmetric activities are in procurement, and they depend on changes to federal acquisition regulations 

and to procedures of the General Services Administration. 

Off Ice of Personnel Management (OPM). Although the Office of Personnel Management's programs 

have limited measurement sensitivity, a number of actions were taken to complete implementation of 

metric use. A final rule was published in the Federal Register on June 9, 1993, that changed inch-pound 

measurements in regulations on environmental differentials, hazardousduty regulations, and cost-ofliving allowances. Metric measurements will be introduced into position classification standards as they 

are revised. OPM procurement procedures were modified to include the use of the metric system in 

proposed acquisitions. 
Small Business Administration (SBA). The Small Business Administration reviewed all major 

programs and determined that no significant activities are measurement sensitive. Nevertheless, a new 

metric action plan was implemented, even before its formal clearance, to assure that the metric system is 

used in financial, procurement, and management assistance activities. SBA is gradually phasing-in 

metric use. Recently, a metric committee, composed of representatives from each of the SBA offices, 

identified metric issues and implemented appropriate actions. A metrication booklet, a metric training 

video, and other metric materials for small businesses were produced and distributed. A training video 

for SBA staff was selected and metric awareness posters will be placed in all district offices, 

development centers, and resource centers. 

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Most Tennessee Valley Authority programs currently use 

nonmetric units because they depend on customer requirements or they involve existing facilities. 

Nevertheless, a variety of activities are underway that will introduce metric use into an of the authority's 

operations. Although the large majority of current design projects are to modify existing facilities, both 

metric and nonmetric units ("dual units") were used for a substation metering project in Mississippi, and 

both units will be used in plans for a new substation in Georgia and a new transmission fine. Several 

planned buildings will be designed and constructed using metric units only. In an effort to increase 

customer understanding, displays on the use of the metric system are planned for visitor centers at 

TVA's nuclear power plants. TVA publications are being converted to metric units as they are revised. 

Also, recreation plans and maps will be converted to dual units as existing supplies are exhausted. 

TVA purchasing officials surveyed approximately 2,000 of its preferred suppliers for information on the 

availability of metric products. At present most procured items are specified in nonmetric units, but use 

of the metric system is increasing. Some office supplies are now ordered using metric units, and some 

fleet vehicle components are specified in metric units. 

TVA's nuclear power plants, plant designs, and replacement components will not be converted to the 

metric system because of safety considerations and the need to meet stringent regulations. However, 

steps will be taken to enhance the capability for metric procurements. These include changing TVA item 

identification code descriptions and procuring metric products to the greatest extent possible. 

References and Notes

[1] Preferred Metric Units for General Use by the Federal Government, Federal Standard 376. 

The current version, 376B, dated January 27, 1993, is available from the General Services 

Administration, Specifications Section (3FBP-W), Suite 8100, 470 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., 

Washington, DC 20407. 

[2] The modern metric system is the International System of Units or SI (from the French "Le 

Systeme International d'Unites," which is abbreviated SI). For purposes of international trade, the 

metric system is more than just SI. It includes the product standards and preferred sizes accepted 

by industries and governments throughout the world. 
[3] Metric Transition Plans and Activities of Federal Government Agencies, National Institute of 

Standards and Technology, Interagency Report 4911 (August 1992). (Available from the 

National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield VA, 22161, Order Number 

PB92222249.) 

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National Institute of Standards and Technology, Metric Program 

Your comments and suggestions are solicited. (10/16/95) metric_prg@nist.gov.