New U.S. Army Corps of Engineers guidelines require sourcing of precast sewage, subdrainage, and storm drainage systems, plus utility and communication structures, from National Precast Concrete Association-certified plants. The directive applies to the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and NASA, and is referenced in the United Facilities Guide Specification covering civil and military construction.

NPCA President Ty Gable views the Corps' adoption of certification guidelines as an opportunity to “establish a uniform, nationwide precast concrete quality control standard for regulatory and specifying agencies.” The NPCA Plant Certification program was founded in 1987 to ensure the highest standards in production and quality-control procedures, he adds, and has grown to encompass 300 operations in 48 states. More than 20 state departments of transportation now require the certification.