The Buy American Act applies to all U.S. federal government agency purchases of goods (articles, materials, or supplies) valued over the U.S. micro-purchase threshold (currently set at US$10,000). When purchased by federal entities for public use, the Act requires that these goods be produced in the U.S.

To be considered as being produced in the U.S., goods must be manufactured in the U.S. and at least 50% of the cost of their components must come from the U.S.

There are exceptions to Buy American requirements. Waivers can be granted for the public interest, or if the cost of U.S. products is unreasonable compared to equivalent foreign products.

Waivers may also be granted if products are not produced in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of satisfactory quality.

Over the years, the U.S. Congress has enacted a number of Buy America requirements applying to purchases of iron, steel and other manufactured products used in infrastructure projects that receive federal funding from specific departments and agencies (hereafter ‘agencies’).

Buy America requirements vary depending on the funding agency as well as the type of good being purchased. Even if a federal agency funds only a small part of an infrastructure project undertaken by a state or municipality, Buy America requirements apply to the project as a whole.

LAKOS’ Conformity to the Buy American Act

LAKOS products eHTX, eTCX, TCX-TCI, TBX-TBI, and STS are manufactured to comply with the Buy American Act.

Some included materials such as metal pipe are sourced globally because domestic costs far exceed the cost of foreign material. Much of the foreign material purchased are sourced from countries that qualify for Buy American Act through World Trade Organization Agreements. 

Customers requiring compliance with Buy American Act and/or source Material made in United States requirements must notify LAKOS at the time of quote and order to ensure components are sourced appropriately. 

For official LAKOS correspondence, click here.