Buy American vs. Buy America

President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed an executive order intended to strengthen Buy American provisions. Congress passed the Buy American Act in 1933. This program covers specified products and requires the U.S. government to purchase domestic construction materials. The Buy American Act created a national preference for the government to procure only domestic materials used for public construction unless a waiver had been granted. The 1933 Act applies to direct purchases by the federal government, but not third parties, such as private contractors given procurement funding through government endowments.

In summary, the executive order intends to strengthen oversite and leadership and increase waiver scrutiny and inter-agency communication about domestic preferences with respect to Buy American Act provisions.

The Executive Order does not apply to the Buy America Act. The Buy America Act is familiar those operating primarily in the transportation industry performing on projects utilizing funds administered by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for state and local public works entities. The Buy America Act was established within Section 165 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, which was a transportation funding and policy act created under the Reagan administration. This provision addresses concerns over the surface transportation of highways and bridges. 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.

View the Latest Facebook News

Indiana Constructors, Inc.
Indiana Constructors, Inc.2 days ago
Indiana Department of Transportation officially launched the 2025 construction season today and recognized National Work Zone Awareness Week at a press event in Indianapolis. The message this year is simple “Respect the Zone so we all get home.”��Speaking at the event, ICI President Richard Hedgecock, CAE emphasized the importance of creating automated speed control Safe Zones for both workers and drivers as construction ramps up across Indiana. #NWZAW #letsbuildINSafely
Indiana Constructors, Inc.
Indiana Constructors, Inc.2 days ago
Today marks #GoOrangeDay during National Work Zone Awareness Week, and the ICI staff is showing our support! #NWZAW #letsbuildINsafely
Indiana Constructors, Inc.