FEMA announced today that beginning Jan. 2, 2023, 23 FEMA grant programs will be subject to the “Buy America” preferences under the Build America, Buy America Act (BABBA). This is part of FEMA’s “Buy America Preference in FEMA Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure. FEMA Interim Policy #207-22-0001.”
Details
This policy document provides guidance on FEMA’s implementation of the domestic preference requirements outlined in BABAA, which is part ofPresident Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Act requires that any infrastructure project receiving federal funding must source its iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials from the United States.
The BABAA requirements will go into effect Jan. 2, 2023, following the expiration of FEMA’s General Applicability Public Interest Waiver. Any new awards, new obligations to existing awards or renewal awards FEMA makes Jan. 2, 2023, and after for covered programs will be required to follow the BABAA requirements unless another waiver is requested and approved. Per the guidance, “[t]his means that agencies must include a Buy America preference in awards issued on or after [Jan. 2, 2023], even if Notices of Funding Opportunities for those awards did not include a Buy America preference.”
A series of external briefings on the BABAA policy will be listed on the Procurement Under Grants Training Webpage and will be sent via grant recipient distribution lists, where interested participants can register for the respective trainings.
Frequently Asked Questions, additional guidance, resources, and contact information can be found on FEMA’s “Buy America” Website.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Office of External Affairs:
Congressional Affairs at (202) 646-4500 or at FEMA-Congressional-Affairs@fema.dhs.gov
Intergovernmental Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov
Tribal Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-Tribal@fema.dhs.gov
Private Sector Engagement at (202) 646-3444 or at nbeoc@max.gov
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Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on Twitter @FEMA_Deanne.
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