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October 18, 2022

MEMORANDUM FOR: RMAP Participants and Laboratory Directors

From: Isabel Chavez Baucom, 

Laboratory Metrology Program

Office of Weights and Measures 

Subjects: 2023 Regional Measurement Assurance Programs (RMAP) Training 

NIST Handbook 143, Section 5.2, Table 2 notes that annual attendance at the RMAP training session is 

required for ongoing laboratory Recognition. Handbook 143, Program Handbook details the criteria 

used for OWM Laboratory Recognition. In addition, participation in ongoing RMAP proficiency tests 

(PTs) requires completion of training requirements to the designated level and attendance at the annual

RMAP training sessions. 

The 2023 Regional Measurement Assurance Program (RMAP) training events are scheduled in person as 

noted in the table below after being delivered virtually in 2020 and 2021. Training topics are selected 

based on annual needs assessments; input is obtained during laboratory assessments, annual reviews of 

submitted data, laboratory requests, and input at prior regional training events.

NOTE: The in-person 2023 meeting is contingent on the status of the pandemic and we will do our best 

to provide adequate advance notice to the Regions about site changes. 

Schedules:

The schedule, location, and contact host for each of the RMAP training is listed below. The agenda and 

detailed learning objectives are in the following sections. NIST will provide training content. Local hosts 

will provide details on the hotel and local registration logistics as each training event approaches. 

Region Dates City, State

(City may change) Host Contact

SEMAP March 27 to 30, 2023 Nashville, TN

Nicholas Andersen

Nicholas.Andersen@tn.gov

615-253-4426

WRAP May 15 to 18, 2023 Anchorage, AK

Garret L. Brown

garret.brown@alaska.gov

907-365-1233

NEMAP June 12 to 15, 2023 Albany, NY

Michael Lejeune

Michael.lejeune@agriculture.ny.gov

518-457-3146

SWAP August 28 to 31, 2023 Little Rock, AR

Jill Franke

jill.franke@agriculture.arkansas.gov

501-219-6334

MidMAP September 25 to 28, 2023 Chicago, IL

John Satterlee

john.satterlee@illinois.gov

217-785-8480
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Registration:

TWO registrations are required for each event (one with OWM and one with the HOST). The OWM 

Contact System generates attendee registration lists, name tags/tent cards, adequate training materials, 

and training certificates. The registration list is shared with the host. Registration fees for the RMAP 

training are determined by the local hosts. Every effort is made to keep registration fees to a minimum. 

Specific details about registration will be sent with information for each RMAP.

Agenda at a Glance:

Sessions will be held from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm each day, except for Thursday. Successful completion 

requires full attendance and participation in group activities. If any participants leave early, attendance 

certificates will be adjusted accordingly and full attendance is required according to Handbook 143 by at 

least one staff member of the laboratory for full Recognition eligibility. 

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Laboratory Round 

Table

(Lab Reports)

---

Proficiency Testing 

Program for U.S. State 

Weights and Measures 

Laboratories--Part 1

Laboratory Design & Impact of 

Environment on Accurate 

Measurements--Part 1

• Customer Service & 

Workload Management

• Conflict Resolution

• Complaint (Inquiry) 

Handling (4.8);

Lunch Lunch Lunch

Region Meeting Ends at 

12:30 p.m.

• Ergonomics 

and Laboratory 

Safety 

• Lab Visit and 

Assessment

Proficiency Testing 

Program for U.S. State 

Weights and Measures 

Laboratories--Part 2

Laboratory Design & Impact of 

Environment on Accurate 

Measurements--Part 2

Abstracts and Learning Objectives: 

MONDAY--

Laboratory Round Table (Lab Reports) – Ongoing standard reporting of sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 

6.5, in the ISO/IEC 17025 standard plus reporting on accreditation, economics, and any 

measurement issues that come up. 

Learning Objectives: After this session, participants will be able to:

• IDENTIFY general issues facing laboratories within their region;

• DESCRIBE action items they may want to take based on sharing and feedback during this 

session. OWM staff will facilitate this session; and 

• IDENTIFY unique issues that may require national-level coordination or assistance.
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Cont. MONDAY--

Ergonomics and Laboratory Safety 

Laboratory safety and ergonomics is central to the wellbeing of a metrologist. The session 

begins with an overview of common examples of laboratory safety, with ergonomics, as 

demonstrated by actual lab workplace set ups. Then the emphasis is on the process of 

recognizing safety hazards in the workspace and how to do so with skills and job-aid tools. To 

demonstrate this ‘safety awareness’ process, examples will be put forward of the safety 

considerations around emerging technology in the marketplace (such as Electrical Vehicle 

Charging Station test units) and job hazard analysis comparisons when choosing testing 

equipment (such as platform scale vs load cell equipment for testing of weight carts). Note: Lab 

Visit and Assessment will include a safety-oriented on-site practical exercise.

Learning Objectives: After this session, participants will be able to:

• IDENTIFY common areas in a metrology lab set up that have safety and ergonomics 

considerations for workers. 

• IDENTIFY safety resources to use or reference in a job hazard analysis when presented 

with a new or reconfigured job task. 

• ASSESS common workplace situations for possible safety hazards and level of risk 

associated with those hazards

• COMPARE two job tasks from a safety and ergonomic perspective using quality tool PMI 

checklist (Plus, Minus, Interesting).

Lab Visit and Assessment

Region Lab Address

SEMAP

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Ellington Agriculture Center

5203 Marchant Drive

Nashville, TN 37204

WRAP

Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities

12050 Industry Way, Bldg "O" Suite 6

Anchorage, AK 99515-3593

NEMAP

New York Bureau of Weights and Measures

6 Harriman Campus Road

Albany, NY 12206

SWAP

Arkansas Bureau of Standards

4608 W 61st Street

Little Rock, AR 72209-2408

MidMAP

USDA/AMS/FGIS

Master Scale Depot

5800 West 69th Street

Chicago, IL 60638
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TUESDAY—

Proficiency Testing Program for U.S. State Weights and Measures Laboratories: The purpose of 

this event is to provide participants in our U.S. Regional Measurement Assurance Program (RMAPs) 

with an overview of how proficiency testing programs are conducted and an explanation of how 

laboratory performance is evaluated. These presentations will cover the steps used in the updated 

version of NISTIR 7214—Office of Weights and Measures-Quality Manual for Proficiency Testing and 

Interlaboratory Comparisons. These steps also align with those covered in ISO/IEC 17043:2010. In 

addition, this session will cover the annual reporting on PTs and planning for the next cycle. Final PT 

analyses and reports are prepared by OWM prior to the meeting. Each new coordinator is 

responsible for developing a PT Plan with inputs from participants and OWM to identify suitable 

objectives and to identify appropriate standards to be circulated.

Learning Objectives: After this session, participants will be able to:

• IDENTIFY which criteria in ISO/IEC 17025 & HB143 address the requirements for proficiency 

testing in your lab

• Each region will PERFORM an update on its 4-year PT plan to ensure the calibration scope is 

covered within a four-year period

• Participants will also be able to IDENTIFY, DESCRIBE, and PRACTICE essential steps that are 

required when creating/developing a PT plan. 

• IDENTIFY upcoming PTs for their laboratory; and 

• DESCRIBE action items they need to take to follow up on prior PT results. Session to be 

facilitated by OWM staff, regional PT coordinators, and PT coordinators. 

WEDNESDAY

Laboratory design and impact on environmental conditions: This session will cover best practices 

and resources for designing and monitoring a laboratory. The facility requirements provided in 

ISO/IEC 17025 will be reviewed along with those of select calibration methods. Participants will be 

able to share lessons learned and learn from each other's experiences on how to maintain stable 

conditions. 

Learning Objectives: After this session, participants will be able to:

• IDENTIFY key considerations when designing a new laboratory and lessons learned

• IDENTIFY environmental requirements for legal metrology laboratories

• DESCRIBE the process of performing a technical audit of laboratory environmental conditions

• APPLY the NIST OWM SOP 49 calibration process for environmental monitoring equipment

• EXAMINE common environmental monitoring equipment used in legal metrology laboratories
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THURSDAY

Customer Service & Workload Management 

This session is an overview of customer service. We begin with the definition of what a customer is 

and how various levels of ‘customer’ come into play in all business interactions where there is a 

service provided. Next we associate tips and tools to these service levels. Not overlooking how we 

serve ourselves in our workload management by prioritizing tasks more efficiently, improving the 

balance of work across your team, and creating more accurate project schedules. And finally we 

consider where to apply customer service for results and methods to capture those results (such as 

with surveys). In what areas would your lab like to see key results?

Learning Objectives: After this session, participants will be able to:

• DETERMINE who their customers are, by definition, type, and levels of interaction

• ACCESS some common customer service strategies and tools

• APPLY basic customer service tactics in their business communications for results

Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is the informal or formal process that two or more parties use to find a peaceful 

resolution to their dispute. The considerations built into conflict and resolution come to morality, 

politics and direct action. Morality is a set of rules used for resolving conflicts which society agrees 

with. Politics is the process of allying people. Direct action is the deeds. We often think that conflict 

in the workplace is either a slim possibility or an unavoidable occurrence. Neither is often the case. 

Each individual can learn the practical knowledge to recognize conflict and what resolution practices 

apply toward achieving a harmonious goal. 

Learning Objectives: After this session, participants will be able to:

• IDENTIFY the different stages and the various levels of conflict by using provided job aid lists, 

charts and examples.

• RECOGNIZE pathways to resolution with CARE (Communicate, Actively Listen, Review Options 

and End with a Win-Win solution) the acronym for steps in the resolution process.

• ASSOCIATE your comfort level with each level of conflict and each stage of resolution within the 

controlled environment of a practical exercise

Complaint (Inquiry) Handling (4.8)

Labs have the responsibility to have a complaint handling process per ISO/IEC 17025 section 4.8. 

This training will review the requirements of the standard and then give labs an overview 

compliance to the standard. Module covers this compliance in complaint process from first contact 

to closure and how complaints relate to Corrective Action. With examples of SAP documents, forms 

and records. 

Learning Objectives: After this session, participants will be able to:

• DEFINE a complaint and the earmarks of what makes a complaint

• IDENTIFY the items that are required to be in the lab system (quality management system and 

standard administrative program) to meet the ISO/IEC standard