NPCA last week filed a joint letter alongside PCI in opposition to extending Buy America provisions to include materials that go into creating precast concrete.
The policy applies to all U.S. federal government agency purchases of goods, materials or supplies federal entities for public use, stating that these goods be produced in the United States. However, as shown during 2021 and 2022 supply chain issues, U.S. cements, cementitious material, stone, sand and gravel are not always readily available to meet the demands of U.S. infrastructure needs.
As a result, NPCA has requested that these materials remain exempt from Buy American when used as ingredients for finished products made by U.S. manufacturers.
If the federal government declines the request and includes these materials under Buy America provisions, waivers remain available under the following circumstances:
- Procurements are covered by current trade agreements.
- The product is not mined, produced or manufactured in sufficient quantity in the United States.
- The use of a domestic product would lead to an increase of 25 percent or more in cost.