Buy American? or Buy America? Build America? Confusing right?
“Buy American” refers to domestic content preferences applied to federal procurement, meaning the goods purchased by the U.S. Government for its use. On the other hand, “Buy America” generally applies to awards made with Federal financial assistance funding. There is no single “Buy America” statute. If you have questions about the Buy American Act, attend our training class when available or reach out to the author.
This blog focuses on the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA). BABAA, enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on November 15, 2021, that established a domestic content procurement preference for structures, equipment, and facilities on all federally funded infrastructure projects[1] unless otherwise specified. So why does it matter to you? If you are involved in a federally funded infrastructure project, understanding and adhering to the BABAA is not just a formality but a crucial part of compliance. But remember…BABAA only applies to Federal-awarded infrastructure projects where Federal funds are made available.