SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION EXCEPTIONS.
The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (15 U.S.C. 205a
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 11 the follow-
ing new section:
‘‘SEC. 12. (a) In carrying out the policy set forth in
section 3 (with particular emphasis on the policy set forth
in paragraph (2) of that section) a Federal agency may
require that specifications for structures or systems of con-
crete masonry be expressed under the metric system of meas-
urement, but may not require that concrete masonry units
be converted products.
‘‘(b) In carrying out the policy set forth in section 3
(with particular emphasis on the policy set forth in para-
graph (2) of that section) a Federal agency may not require
that lighting fixtures be converted products unless the pre-
dominant voluntary industry consensus standards are
hard-metric.’’.
SEC. 5. OMBUDSMAN.
Section 12 of the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, as
added by section 4 of this Act, is further amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(c)(1) The head of each executive agency that awards
construction contracts shall designate a senior agency offi-
cial to serve as a construction metrication ombudsman who
shall be responsible for reviewing and responding to com-
plaints from prospective bidders, subcontractors, suppliers,
or their designated representatives related to—
‘‘(A) guidance or regulations issued by the agen-
cy on the use of the metric system of measurement in
construction contracts; and
‘‘(B) the use of the metric system of measurement
for products or materials required for incorporation
in individual construction projects.
The construction metrication ombudsman shall be inde-
pendent of the contracting officer for construction contracts.
‘‘(2) The ombudsman shall be responsible for ensuring
that the agency is not implementing the metric system of
measurement in a manner that is impractical or is likely
to cause significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to Unit-
ed States firms in violation of the policy stated in section
3(2), or is otherwise inconsistent with guidance issued by
the Secretary of Commerce in consultation with the Inter-
agency Council on Metric Policy.
‘‘(3) The ombudsman shall respond to each complaint
in writing within 30 days and make a recommendation to
the head of the executive agency for an appropriate resolu-
tion thereto. In such a recommendation, the ombudsman
shall consider—
‘‘(A) the availability of converted products and
hard metric production capacity of United States
firms, or lack thereof;
‘‘(B) retooling costs and capital investment im-
pacts;
‘‘(C) the impact on small business;
‘‘(D) the impact on trade;
‘‘(E) the impact on competition for Federal con-
tracts;
‘‘(F) the impact on jobs;
‘‘(G) the impact on the competitiveness of United
States firms; and
‘‘(H) the cost to the Federal Government.
‘‘(4) After the head of the agency has rendered a deci-
sion regarding a recommendation of the ombudsman, the
ombudsman shall be responsible for communicating the de-
cision to all appropriate policy, design, planning, procure-
ment, and notifying personnel in the agency. The ombuds-
man shall conduct appropriate monitoring as required to
ensure the decision is implemented, and may submit further
recommendations, as needed. The head of the agency’s deci-
sion on the ombudsman’s recommendations, and any sup-
porting documentation, shall be provided to affected parties
and made available to the public in a timely manner.’’.
Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘A bill to provide for
appropriate implementation of the Metric Conversion Act
of 1975 in Federal construction projects, and for other
purposes.’’.