VA HANDBOOK 0100 Washington, METRIC TRANSITION PLAN (IMPLEMENTAT... Page 2 of 11
(IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES)
CONTENTS
PAGE
1. GENERAL
5
2. DEFINITIONS
5
3. PROCEDURES
6
4. RESPONSIBILITIES
8
5. STANDARDS FOR USING METRIC
11
SYMBOLS AND NUMBERS
6. PROGRAM OPERATIONS
13
7. CONVERSION TO METRIC PRODUCTS AND
13
SERVICES
6. WAIVERS/DELAYS NOT TO USE METRIC
14
MEASUREMENTS
8. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION
14
9. COORDINATION WITH THE PRIVATE
15
SECTOR
10. REPORTING 15
PROCEDURES FOR TRANSITIONING TO THE METRIC SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT
1. GENERAL
a. Section 5164 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-418)
designates the metric system of measurement as the preferred system of weights and measures for
United States trade and commerce. It requires that each Federal agency use the metric system of
measurement in its procurements, grants, and other business-related activities. The law also requires
each agency to issue implementing guidelines and to report annually to Congress on actions taken or
planned to implement the metric system.
b. VA Directive and Handbook 0100 provide the implementing guidelines required by the law and
outline the procedures to be used by VA facilities to complete its transitioning to the metric system of
measurement by the year 2005.
2. DEFINITIONS
a. Metrication. Any act that increases the use of the metric system, including metric training and
initiation or conversion of measurement-sensitive processes and systems to the metric system.
b. Metric System. The International System of Units (Le Systeme International d'Unites (SI)) of the
International Bureau of Weights and Measures. Most units that VA will use are listed in Federal
Standard 376B, Preferred Metric Units for General Use by the Federal Government.
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