VA HANDBOOK 0100 Washington, METRIC TRANSITION PLAN (IMPLEMENTAT... Page 3 of 11
c. Hard Metric. The use of metric SI measurements only in specifications, standards, supplies, and
services.
d. Soft Metric. The mathematical conversion of inch/pound measurements to metric equivalents in
specifications, standards, supplies, and services. The physical dimensions are not changed.
e. Dual Dimension. The use of both inch/pound and metric measurements. For example, an item is
designed, produced, and described in inch/pound values with soft metric values also shown for
information or comparison purposes.
f. Hybrid Systems. The use of both inch/pound and hard metric values in specifications, standards,
supplies, and services, e.g., an engine with internal parts in metric dimensions and external fittings or
attachments in inch/pound dimensions. 5 VA HANDBOOK 0100 JULY 3, 2000
3. PROCEDURES
a. VA will use the metric system of measurement in all its grants.
b. VA will use the metric system of measurement in all its business-related activities (unless metric
usage is impractical or would have an adverse impact on the market share of U.S. firms). Business-
related activities include but are not limited to measurement-sensitive data in reports, correspondence,
paper size, computer data files, medical, nutrition, travel, forms, weights, measures, temperatures, and
signage.
c. VA will seek ways to increase understanding of the metric system of measurement through
educational information and guidance in VA publications for its employees, customers, patient
population, contractors, vendors, and others that have relations with the Department.
d. VA will support Federal transition and national conversion to the metric system through
participation on the Interagency Council on Metric Policy and on Government/industry subcommittees,
working panels, and groups. e. VA will establish an active process for policy level review of any
decision made to not use metric measurement units.
f. VA will encourage industry in the change to the metric system by acquiring commercially available
metric products and services that meet the functional requirements of VA and its customers, so long as
competition is maintained. As a minimum, the following statement is to be included in all procurements
that identify non-metric measurements in the requirements:
"Metric Products. Products manufactured to metric dimensions will be considered on an equal
basis with those manufactured using inch/pound units, providing they fall within the tolerances
specified using conversion tables contained in the latest revision of Federal Standard No. 376B,
and all other requirements of this document are met. If a product is manufactured to metric
dimensions and those dimensions exceed the tolerances specified in the inch/pound units, a request
should be made to the contracting officer to determine if the product is acceptable. The
contracting officer, in concert with the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative, will accept
or reject the product."
g. All VA product descriptions including VA specifications, standards, and prepared commercial item
descriptions will be developed using metric measurements. Commercially developed metric
specifications and internationally or domestically developed voluntary standards using metric will be
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