What is Build America Buy America?

The Buy America, Buy America Act was originally established by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, which was a transportation funding and policy act created under the Reagan administration. The Buy America Act was intended to give preference for the use of domestically produced materials on any procurements funded at least in part by the federal government. On November 15, 2021 President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which includes the Build America, Buy America Act, which strengthened the previous laws.

The Act provides statutory authority for the Made in America Office, within the Office of Management and Budget to maximize and enforce compliance.

A clarification was issued by the Made in America Office on April 18, 2022, states:

“By May 14, 2022 [Federal] agencies MUST ensure that all applicable programs comply with… the Act, including the incorporation of a Buy America preference in the terms and conditions of each award with an infrastructure project.”