SOW Attachment - FY2024 Metric Waiver.pdf

This is a GSA memorandum dated April 16, 2024, issuing a metric waiver for the FY24 PBS Design and Construction Program. The waiver allows all project documentation and construction materials to be in imperial units rather than metric units for the World Trade Bridge Land Port of Entry project in Laredo, TX.

The waiver is justified based on several key factors: increased costs of 20-30% for implementing metric requirements, reduced labor productivity by 10-20% due to workers being trained in imperial units, procurement delays, and increased risk of coordination errors. The memorandum cites specific challenges including the local industry's lack of experience with metric construction, increased complexity in modernizing existing facilities built in imperial units, and ongoing operational costs due to limited availability of metric products. The waiver is authorized under Executive Order 12770 (1991) which allows exemptions when metric usage would cause significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to U.S. firms. The document is signed by Charles Hardy, Chief Architect and Assistant Commissioner Office of Architecture & Engineering.