METRIC PROGRESS REPORT:

United States Agency for International Development FY2019

BACKGROUND:

The Presidential Executive Order 12770 and the Metric Conversion Act designates the

International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system of

measurement, as the preferred system of weights and measures for use in trade and

commerce, and requires the use of the SI system, to the extent economically feasible, by

each federal agency and department in its procurements, grants, and other businessrelated activities.

Federal agencies and departments are required to formulate transition plans and to

communicate them to the Metric Program at the National Institute of Standards and

Technology (NIST).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

SCOPE:

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) plays a leading role in the

administration of foreign assistance. As the principal foreign aid agency of the U.S.

Government, one of the primary functions of the agency is to manage delivery of bilateral

assistance.

Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 was another record-breaking year for acquisition and assistance

(A&A) obligations at USAID, with a total of $17.2 billion. This exceeds obligations that

have gone through A&A mechanisms in recent history.

One of the most important requirements for administration of foreign assistance is the

need to oversee conveyance of emergency food supplies and other relief related

commodities. Most of the countries that receive commodity assistance use the metric

system as their preferred system for weights and measures. To be able to support these

programs in an efficient and cost-effective manner, it is essential that we comply fully with

the requirements of the Metric Conversion Act.

In 2010, USAID informed its personnel that the European Union metric only requirements

became effective. USAID has also established that in accordance with Federal Standard

376B, the metric system of measurement must be used for specifications and quantitative

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data that are incorporated in or required by USAID-financed acquisition and assistance

(AIDAR 752.211-70 Language and measurement and 2 CFR 700.6 Metric system of

measurement).

For USAID, the requirements for mandatory use are contained in Chapter 323, "Metric

Specifications" of the agency's Automated Directives System (ADS), which requires use

of the metric system in USAID's procurement, grants and business- related activities. A

revised version of ADS Chapter 323 was issued by the agency's Office of Acquisition and

Assistance on March 10, 2020.

Although USAID feels that the agency has already made a successful metric conversion, it

will continue to monitor the mandatory requirements and will meet with industry

regarding their concerns and leverage the findings and relevant feedback from “USAID’s

Industry Liaison”, which was established in 2019.

In addition to the regulations that have been established to monitor compliance of forprofit organizations, the Contract Audit and Support Division within the Bureau for

Management's Office of Acquisition and Assistance (M/OAA), is also required to review

use of the metric system by nonprofit organizations. A review of the use of the metric

system by nonprofit organizations is included in the audits required by 2 CFR 200.513

under Subpart F “Audit Requirements”.

USAID anticipates continued success in the application of the metrics system in its

acquisition and assistance awards. It also will continue to work across the federal

enterprise and among the business community members to increase the awareness and

adoption of the metric system in international awards.

The following is a summary list of significant events that occurred during this reporting

period:

1. A revision of the Agency's ADS Chapter 323 "Metric Specifications" was issued

on March 10, 2020.

2. The agency's Metric Executive did not issue any waivers during this reporting

period.

3. No U.S. firms registered an adverse impact from USAID's, metric policy with its

Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business.

4. Increased ability to monitor the impact of mandatory requirements, outreach

and impact to USAID’s industry partners regarding impacts via the establishment

of “USAID’s Industry Liaison”, which was established in 2019.

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PROPOSED EXCEPTIONS:

For USAID the only proposed exceptions to the use of the metric system relate to its

waiver process. The requirement to use the metric system of measurement may be

waived when the USAID Metric Executive, the Contracting/Agreement Officer, or the

USAID official who approves the procurement/assistance requirement determines, in

writing, that such usage is impractical or it is likely to cause U.S. firms to experience

significant inefficiencies or the loss of markets. The procedures specified in AIDAR

711.002-70 must be followed when granting a waiver to the requirement to use the metric

system.

USAID has and will continue to support relevant initiatives that may affect parties

external to USAID in their application and adoption of metric system.

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