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The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) recently published a white paper — “Rail Supply Innovation and Buy America Requirements” — that recommends changes to current U.S. Buy America program provisions. It also proposes funding for high-speed, intercity and transit-rail services that will ensure domestic products are available for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-funded projects.

RSI is a “strong supporter” of Buy America regulations and helped develop current policies for Amtrak and transit agencies, according to a prepared statement.

“Buy America has helped preserve a domestic passenger railway manufacturing industry that was in danger of disappearing in the mid-20th Century,” said RSI President Tom Simpson.

However, in order to meet stringent ARRA Buy America requirements, RSI officials believe the industry needs:
• long-term, dedicated funding sources for high-speed and intercity passenger rail;
• clearer Buy America standards, which can be achieved by streamlining the differences among provisions specific to Buy American, the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration and ARRA funds; and
• a national rail plan that supports the U.S. passenger-rail equipment manufacturing industry through a vision for sustained equipment purchases and equipment lifecycle policies that avoid “boom or bust” procurement cycles.