Confusion With Construction Rule

OMB Hit With Questions

By Lucy Perry CEG CORRESPONDENT

Surrounding Build America, Buy America Act

While the construction industry awaits the Biden administration’s final wording of its Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), contractors can study up on application of the rule. Meant to bolster the economy through the required use of domestically sourced construction materials, the rule is considered contradictory at best and confusing at worst.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a Proposed Rule earlier this year regarding the implementation of BABA.

see RULE page 66

While IIJA earmarked more than $1.2 trillion for infrastructure projects, BABA imposed restrictions to all federally-funded infrastructure projects, regardless of whether they are funded by IIJA.