FTA issues final policy guidance for Buy America requirements

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) yesterday issued final Buy America policy guidance to inform transit agencies and transit vehicle manufacturers how to implement a phased increase in domestic content requirements for rolling stock procurements.

The Buy America domestic content requirements for rolling stock procurements of rail cars and buses will be based on the scheduled delivery date of the first production vehicle, FTA officials said in a press release.

The domestic content minimum for fiscal years 2016 and 2017 is more than 60 percent; for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, it's more than 65 percent. By 2020, the minimum will be more than 70 percent, according to the FTA.

The phased increase is required by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act and marks the first increase since 1991, FTA officials said.

"The revised FTA Buy America policy addresses public transportation industry concerns and maintains the core goal of the program to preserve and create good-paying American jobs," said FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers.

The FTA also is providing a limited public interest waiver for solicitations and contracts that were underway when the FAST Act was enacted in 2015.