Materials interests embrace IIJA Buy America clarification, exclusions

Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Alexandria, Va.; CP staff Materials anchoring the supply chain behind Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-funded building or nonbuilding construction projects have explicit exclusions to White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-issued Build America, Buy America (BABA) sourcing requirements. National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Asphalt Pavement Association, National Stone, Sand & Gravel…

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Steel fiber specialist adds capacity as infrastructure market prospects grow

Sources: Helix Steel, Grand Rapids, Mich.; CP staff

Helix Steel is stepping up production of its namesake Twisted Steel Micro Rebar, citing higher sales fueled by a renewed focus on rebuilding tunnels, highways, bridges, dams and other critical infrastructure. Capacity expansion reaffirms what management calls a “commitment to continued ISO 9001:2015-certified American manufacturing, increasing jobs, and driving local economic development in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan.”

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FHWA revisits Buy America provisions for rebar tie wire, precast lifting devices

Sources: Federal Highway Administration; National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.; CP staff

Through a recent Federal Register notice, the Federal Highway Administration seeks comments on a one-year waiver under the Buy America Act for tie wire spools used in rebar-tying guns, and indicates the potential for similar action on precast concrete lifting devices. A public comment period runs through December 2 on three agency points:

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NPCA flags court’s reversal of Buy America exemption for steel hardware

Citing a late-2015 U.S. District Court decision vacating Federal Highway Administration Buy America exemptions for miscellaneous steel components, the National Precast Concrete Association is urging members who fabricate precast structures for federally funded projects to evaluate use of tie wire, lifting devices and any other elements from foreign sources, and assume requests for documentation that all structure components are domestic.

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