Strengthening National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) in the Hemisphere, an essential element in the development of National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) To enhance the NQI by advancing best practices at the NMIs and enhancing international recognition of measurement capabilities in the hemisphere GOAL To further strengthen the institutions responsible for measurements in the Americas and thereby improve the world-wide reputation and credibility of the national quality infrastructures. PURPOSE

Development of highly qualified metrology personnel capable of delivering scientific and legal metrology services in the region coordinated by USA. Improved measurement capabilities in the hemisphere in areas that support environmental protection, health and trade coordinated by Uruguay. Enhanced knowledge among government officials and metrology stakeholders of the importance of measurements to enhance trade and facilitate innovation coordinated by México. To address: Regional Capacity Building Measurement improvement and comparisons Awareness and outreach Technical partnerships Metrology proposals and priorities from the countries in the hemisphere were integrated into three Projects Concepts submitted on behalf of the entire membership of the Inter-American System of Metrology (SIM). Total Budget $1.190M (US $390K, Uruguay $470K, Mexico $330K) This Project has three complimentary Project Concepts

Addressing Programmatic Approaches for Strengthening National Quality Infrastructure and Promoting Improvements in Science and Engineering Education Improve human and institutional capabilities of NMIs (i.e., to make more accurate and reliable measurements traceable to international standards) – – focus on capacity building with an emphasis on sustainability – Foster horizontal and vertical partnerships – Focus on measurement areas identified as high priority to the participants Increase awareness and promote policy dialogue and partnerships between government and industry to develop strong National Quality Infrastructures (NQIs), with special emphasis on NMIs – Promote dialogues and partnerships between the NMIs and their State and Local Governments, and private sector stakeholders – Improve and develop calibration services to support industry development and innovation. – Encourage the integration of NMIs to NQI Promote the creation of NMIs that focus on national priority areas for socio-economic development in smaller economies; – Scientific and legal metrology measurements and services targeted to address national needs Foster technical cooperation for continued improvement of NQI/NMIs through sustainable local, sub-regional, regional, and international partnerships: – Enhance the dialog on quality infrastructure among the participating organizations Promote training and other technical extension services by NMIs and a better relationship between them and local industry, universities and laboratories: – Focus on capacity building, training and development, with a combination of introductory level workshops and more advanced internships and hands-on laboratory experience.

Budget: $390,000 for the three year effort: Year 1: $30K; Year 2 $330K; Year 3: $ 30K 1 st Component: Development of highly qualified metrology personnel capable of delivering scientific and legal metrology services in the region on a sustainable basis (US): Description of the ProductsBase lineIndicators Product 1 US Development of highly qualified metrology personnel capable of delivering scientific and legal metrology services in the region Existing state of trained personnel at each institution. These are varied because of current state of development and maturity of participating laboratory. Some countries do not have established capabilities in all needed metrology areas New and/or improved services established; successful completion of training activities; development and execution of training for other SIM countries; providing measurement traceability to other SIM Countries Description of the Activities planned Budget Estimated in US$ Activity 1.1Metrology School for young/new metrologists (1 in year 2)300K (Year 2) Activity 1.2Internships (8 per year) 90K ($30K per year)

Description of the activities planned Budget Estimated in US$ Activity 2.1 Training Workshops, internships (6-7 Workshops per year) 1st year - $120 2nd year – $50K 3rd year - $120K Activity 2.2 Measurement comparisons and pilot studies (3/year) $ 90K ($30K per year) Activity 2.3 Enhancement to SIM Time Network$ 90K ($30K per year) Description of the ProductsBase lineIndicators Product 2: URUGUAY Improved measurement capabilities in the hemisphere in areas that support environmental sustainability, renewable energies and energy efficiency, health and trade Existing state of measurement capabilities at each institution. These are varied because of current state of development. Some countries do not have established capabilities in all needed metrology areas. New and/or improved services established; successful completion of training and workshops; development of new or improved internationally recognized measurement capabilities; creation and/or approval of quality management systems; successful completion of measurement pilot studies and/or comparisons; development and execution of training for other SIM countries; providing measurement traceability to other SIM Countries; participation in the SIM Time network 2 nd Component: Improved measurement capabilities in the hemisphere in areas that support environmental protection, health and trade (URUGUAY). Budget: $470,000 for the three year effort: Year 1:$180K; Year 2:$110K; Year 3: 180K

3 rd Component: Enhanced knowledge among government officials and metrology stakeholders of the importance of measurements to enhance trade and facilitate innovation (MÉXICO) Budget: $330K for the three year effort: Each year $110K distributed as below: Description of the activities planned Budget Estimated in US$ Activity 2.1 Annual Awareness Events (2 per year)$180K ($60K per year) Activity 2.2 Mentoring (train the trainer): trainers, quality system managers, peer reviewers (6-8 per year) $ 90K ($30K per year) Activity 2.3 Communications and Outreach$ 60K ($20K per year) Description of the ProductsBase lineIndicators Product 3: MÉXICO Enhanced knowledge among government officials and metrology stakeholders of the importance of measurements to enhance trade and facilitate innovation Existing awareness varies by level of development of each country Increased local investment in metrology infrastructures; new metrology laws developed and/or implemented; increased relationships with national quality infrastructures; increased circulation of information on developments in region; presentations to metrology stakeholders; serving as peer reviewers for other NMIs and industry; providing training and supporting proficiency testing for stakeholders including secondary laboratories

Benefits/Sustainability Beneficiaries include: – Institutions and technical staff responsible for measurement standards in each countr – Government and private-sector clients making use of calibration and measurement services offered by the national metrology institutes in each participating country – Regulatory authorities in each participating country – Trading partners who rely on accurate and reliable measurements when transacting business, providing health services, or innovating new technologies. – local populations who rely on measurements in their daily lives, from fuel pump dispensers to blood pressure monitors to medical radiation treatments. Metrology capabilities are essential to protect the environment and human health. Measurement needs change as countries develop and while remarkable progress has been made, there is still considerable work to be done OAS support: – Provides a higher profile for regional metrology in hemisphere and internationally. – leverages local and international investment – demonstrates continued commitment to the mandates of the previous Summits of the Americas and the S&T Ministerials. – allows for more horizontal cooperation than could be achieved with local funds – provides resources to expose smaller, less developed NMIs to the international measurement community