Build America, Buy America: Office of Transportation and Air Quality
The Build America, Buy America Act strengthens Made in America Laws and will bolster America’s industrial base, protect national security, and support high-paying jobs.
BABA requires that on or after May 14, 2022, the head of each covered federal agency shall ensure that “none of the funds made available for a federal financial assistance program for infrastructure… may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States,” (Section 70914(a)). The EPA is a covered agency.
Build America, Buy America Implementation Procedures for the Office of Transportation and Air Quality Federal Assistance Programs
The memorandum provides important information to support the EPA’s grantees, contractors, and manufacturers in complying with the BABA Act for federal financial assistance programs in the OTAQ. OTAQ financial assistance programs include the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, the Clean School Bus Program, the Clean Ports Program and the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program.
Please email correspondence about BABA requirements for OTAQ programs to our helpline BABA-OTAQ@epa.gov.
For more information on the specific programs covered by these implementation procedures, please see the program websites:
- Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
- Clean School Bus Program
- Clean Ports Program
- Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program
The EPA may waive BABA requirements for certain reasons, such as nonavailability, unreasonable costs, or public interest. For information on approved EPA BABA waivers, please see: