On December 18, 2023, AGC of America provided comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in response to its Request for Information (RFI) on the domestic availability of products used in water infrastructure programs that comply with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA).

The comments offer insights into the overall timing and lead time it takes for American-made materials to be received by AGC members. AGC collected the information from members engaged in water utility and wastewater projects.

Overall, the member survey found that while lead time varies among material types, some materials lead times, such as controls and switches, pumps and pump motors, drives and UV Water Treatment Systems, can surpass 52 weeks. While AGC appreciates EPA’s outreach efforts, understanding this type of information on product availability and lead times would have been more effective utilized prior to BABAA’s implementation. The construction industry wants to ensure the success of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and that the American people see the benefits of this historic law.

An AGC analysis on OMB’s guidance of federal BABAA requirements may be found here while AGC’s letter to the EPA may be found here.