concerned with the encouragement and coordination of increased use of metric measurement units or engineering standards based on such units, or both. Such consultation shall include efforts, where appropriate, to gain international recognition for metric standards proposes by the United States, and, during the United States conversion, to encourage retention of equivalent customary units, usually by way of dual dimensions, in international standards or recommendations;

(7) assist the public through information and education programs, to become familiar with the meaning and applicability of metric terms and measures in daily life. Such programs shall include

(A) public information programs conducted by the Board, through the use of newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and other media, and through talks before appropriate citizens' groups, and trade and public organizations;

(B) counseling and consultation by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; the Secretary of Labor; and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration; and the Director of the National Science Foundation, with educational associations, State and local educational agencies, labor education committees, apprentice training committees, and other interested groups, in order to assure (i) that the metric system of measurement is included in the curriculum of the Nation's educational institutions, and (ii) that teachers and other appropriate personnel are properly trained to teach the metric system of measurement;

(C) consultation by the Secretary of Commerce with the National Conference of Weights and Measures in order to assure that State and local weights measures officials are (i) appropriately involved in metric conversion activities and (ii) assisted in their efforts to bring about timely amendments to weights and measures laws; and

(D) such other public information activities, by any Federal agency in support of this Act, as relate to the mission of such agency;

(8) collect, analyze, and publish information about the extent of usage of metric measurements; evaluate the costs and benefits of metric usage; and make efforts to minimize any adverse effects resulting from increasing metric usage;

(9) conduct research, including appropriate surveys; publish the results of such research; and recommend to the Congress and to the President such action as may be appropriate to deal with any unresolved problems, issues, and questions associated with metric conversion, or usage, such problems, issues, and questions may include, but are not limited to, the impact on workers (such as costs of tools and training) and on different occupations and industries, possible increased costs to consumers, the impact on society and the economy, effects on small business, the impact on the international trade position of the United States, the appropriateness of and methods for using procurement by the Federal Government as a means to effect conversion to the metric system, the proper conversion or tran

sition period in particular sectors of society, and consequences for national defense;

(10) submit annually to the Congress and to the President a report on its activities. Each such report shall include a status report on the conversion process as well as projections for the conversion process. Such report may include recommendations covering any legislation or executive action needed to implement the programs of conversion accepted by the Board. The Board may also submit such other reports and recommendations as it deems necessary; and

(11) submit to the Congress and to the President, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Act making appropriations for carrying out this Act, a report on the need to provide an effective structural mechanism for converting customary units to metric units in statutes, regulations, and other laws at all levels of government, on a coordinated and timely basis, in response to voluntary conversion programs adopted and implemented by various sectors of society under the auspices and with the approval of the Board. If the Board determines that such a need exists, such report shall include recommendations as to appropriate and effective means for establishing and implementing such a mechanism.

SEC. 7. In carrying out its duties under this Act, the Board may(1) establish an Executive Committee, and such other committees as it deems desirable;

(2) establish such committees and advisory panels as it deems necessary to work with the various sectors of the Nation's economy and with Federal and State governmental agencies in the development and implementation of detailed conversion plans for those sectors. The Board may reimburse, to the extent authorized by law, the member of such committees; (3) conduct hearings at such times and places as it deems appropriate;

(4) enter into contracts, in accordance with the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.), with Federal or State agencies, private firms, institutions, and individuals for the conduct of research or surveys, the preparation of reports, and other activities necessary to the discharge of its duties;

(5) delegate to the Executive Director such authority as it deems advisable; and

(6) perform such other acts as may be necessary to carry out the duties prescribed by this Act.

SEC. 8. (a) The Board may accept, hold, administer, and utilize gifts, donations, and bequests of property, both real and personal, and personal services, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Board. Gifts and bequests of money, and the proceeds from the sale of any other property received as gifts or bequests, shall be deposited in the Treasury in a separate fund and shall be disbursed upon order of the Board.

(b) For purpose of Federal income, estate, and gift taxation, property accepted under subsection (a) of this section shall be considered as a gift or bequest to or for the use of the United States.

(c) Upon the request of the Board, the Secretary of the Treasury may invest and reinvest, in securities of the United States, any

moneys contained in the fund authorized in subsection (a) of this section. Income accruing from such securities, and from any other property accepted to the credit of such fund, shall be disbursed upon the order of the Board.

(d) Funds not expended by the Board as of the date when it ceases to exist, in accordance with section 5(d) of this Act, shall revert to the Treasury of the United States as of such date.

SEC. 9. Members of the Board who are not in the regular fulltime employ of the United States shall, while attending meetings or conferences of the Board or while otherwise engaged in the business of the Board, be entitled to receive compensation at a rate not to exceed the daily rate currently being paid grade 18 of the General Schedule (under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code), including traveltime. While so serving, on the business of the Board away from their homes or regular places of business, members of the Board may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons employed intermittently in the Government service. Payments under this section shall not render members of the Board employees or officials of the United States for any purpose. Members of the Board who are in the employ of the United States shall be entitled to travel expenses when traveling on the business of the Board.

SEC. 10. (a) The Board shall appoint a qualified individual to serve as the Executive Director of the Board at the pleasure of the Board. The Executive Director, subject to the Director of the Board, shall be responsible to the Board and shall carry out the metric conversion program, pursuant to the provisions of this Act and the policies established by the Board.

(b) The Executive Director of the Board shall serve full time and be subject to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code. The annual salary of the Executive Director shall not exceed level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of such title.

(c) The Board may appoint and fix the compensation of such staff personnel as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code.

(d) The Board may (1) employ experts and consultants or organizations thereof, as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code; (2) compensate individuals so employed at rates not in excess of the rate currently being paid grade 18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of such title, including traveltime; and (3) may allow such individuals, while away from their homes or regular places of business, travel expenses (including per diem in lieu of subsistence) as authorized by section 5703 of such title 5 for persons in the Government service employed intermittently: Provided, however, That contracts for such temporary employment may be renewed annually.

SEC. 11. Financial and administrative services, including those related to budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, personnel, and procurement, and such other staff services as may be needed by the Board, may be obtained by the Board from the Secretary of Commerce or other appropriate sources in the Federal Government. Payment for such services shall be made by the Board, in ad

vance or by reimbursement, from funds of the Board in such amounts as may be agreed upon by the the Chairman of the Board and by the source of the services being rendered.

SEC. 12. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act may remain available for obligation and expenditure for such period or periods as may be specified in the Acts making such appropriations.

Federal Property And Adminstrative Services Act Of 19491

(Ch. 288, Title II)

SEC. 202.

(d)2 Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, Federal agencies are prohibited from obtaining excess personal property for purposes of furnishing such property to grantees of such agencies, except as follows:

(1) Under such regulations as the Administrator may prescribe, any Federal agency may obtain excess personal property for purposes of furnishing it to any institution or organization which is a public agency or is nonprofit and exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and which is conducting a federally sponsored project pursuant to a grant made for a specific purpose with a specific termination made:

Provided, That

(A) such property is to be furnished for use in connection with the grant; and

(B) the sponsoring Federal agency pays an amount equal to 25 per centum of the original acquisition cost (except for costs of care and handling) of the excess property furnished, such funds to be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

Title to excess property obtained under this paragraph shall vest in the grantees and shall be accounted for and disposed of in accordance with procedures governing the accountability of personal property acquired under grant agreements.

(2) Under such regulations and restrictions as the Administrator may prescribe, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the following:

(A) property furnished under section 608 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, where and to the extent that the Administrator of General Services determines that the property to be furnished under such Act is not needed for donation pursuant to section 203(j) of this Act;

(B) scientific equipment furnished under section 11(e) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1870(e));

(C) property furnished under section 203 of the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 580a), in connection with the Cooperative Forest Fire Control Program, where title is retained in the United States; or

(D) property furnished in connection with grants to Indian tribes as defined in section 3(c) of the Indian Financing Act (25 U.S.C. 1452(c)).

1 Enacted June 30, 1949, 63 Stat. 385.

2 Amendment made by P.L. 94-519, sec. 3, 90 Stat. 2454, 2455 (Enacted October 17, 1976).

(495) '