VA HANDBOOK 0100 Washington, METRIC TRANSITION PLAN (IMPLEMENTAT... Page 9 of 11
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n. All measurements will be in metric. If it is necessary to show the inch/pound measurement, it will
be indicated after the metric measurement and placed in parentheses, e.g., 215 mm x 279 mm (8 1/2 x
11).
6. PROGRAM OPERATIONS
a. The VA metric program can be put to use through the VA Metric Operating Committee, chaired by
the Metric Executive or his designee. Among the members will be: the VA, VHA, VBA, and NCA
Metric Coordinators; VA representative to the Interagency Council on Metric Policy; and
representatives from offices of affected Administration Heads, Assistant Secretaries, and Other Key
Officials. General guidance for the VA Metric Operating Committee will be provided by the Office of
the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management (90), as necessary.
b. The VA Metric Operating Committee will assist in achieving a uniform and coordinated approach
to implementing the requirements of the Act. The Committee can recommend guidelines and
interpretations.
c. VA metric steering committees and VA metric work groups may be formed for specific purposes
(e.g., paper conversion). The work groups will be responsible to the steering committees. Steering
committees will be responsible to the VA Metric Operating Committee and the Metric Executive, or his
designee.
7. CONVERSION TO METRIC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
a. VA uses the metric system of measurements in its procurements, grants, and other business-related
matters. VA follows the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of August 23, 1988, (Public Law 100-
418) and Executive Order 12770, Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs, dated July 25,1991.
b. Compliance is based on the fact that the metric system of measurement is the preferred system of
weights and measures for United States trade and commerce. Each Federal agency, to the extent
economically feasible by the end of Fiscal Year 2005, is to use the metric system of measurement in its
procurements, grants, and other business-related activities unless metric usage is impractical or would
have an adverse impact on the market share of U.S. firms.
c. Agencies are to seek ways to increase understanding of the metric system of measurement. VA
encourages industry, especially small businesses, to voluntarily change to the metric system by
acquiring commercially available metric products and services that meet our functional requirements.
VA works with other Federal agencies and states to encourage essential small businesses to transition to
the metric system.
d. VA continues to accelerate the conversion to the metric system of measurement in order that all
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