Maldve,

The NIH's FAQ for the C06 and G20 includes the following response to a quesiton about metric standards.

http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/the_american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act/construction_programs/post-videocast_q&a.asp

11. Are Metric Standards required for all projects?

Per the NIH Design Requirement Manual," all final drawings and specifications for new construction shall be expressed exclusively in metric units. All facility renovation and addition design projects shall be based on the measurement for which it was originally designed or constructed. If the facility was designed in English, all renovations and additions shall be in English units. Metric units shall be used for buildings renovations and

additions originally designed and constructed in metric units."

I haven't seen our line drawings yet, but I expect at least our renovation drawings will be English units.  Our drawings aren't final either, so guess we would have an opportunity to respond to that requirement.

Beth

________________________________
From: Research Administration List [xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Maldve Regina [xxxxxx@MAIL.UTEXAS.EDU]
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 4:09 PM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: [RESADM-L] C06 construction grant-metric

Dear Fellow Administrators,

Of those writing C06 applications, are you submitting your designs using metric units?

The RFA states "Early in the design process, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the "NIH Grants Policy Statement," which is available online at (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part9.htm#_Toc54600155.)
The sections related to public policy requirements and construction (i.e., Part III) are particularly relevant.

The link goes to:
Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards
Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees and Activities
Construction Grants

Metric System
Consistent with EO 12770 (July 25, 1991), Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs, all construction projects supported by NIH grant funds shall be designed using the metric system.

Thanks for your input.

Reg

Regina Maldve, Ph.D., CRA
Sr. Grants and Contracts Specialist
Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies
The University of Texas at Austin
College of Pharmacy
(512) 232-7511

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