In recent months, one of the most common requests Citylitics received from our customers pertains to a critical piece of legislation that has far-reaching implications for infrastructure projects in the United States. The Build America Buy America (BABA) Act, enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on November 15, 2021, has reshaped the landscape of infrastructure development and procurement in the country. Today, we dive deep into the significance of this act, its impact on businesses, and how Citylitics is helping you stay ahead in this ever-evolving regulatory environment.
Understanding the BABA Act
The BABA Act was introduced to bolster the domestic supply chain and manufacturing capabilities in the United States. This federal law mandates a domestic content procurement preference for all Federal financial assistance obligated for infrastructure projects after May 14, 2022. This means that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in covered infrastructure projects must be produced in the United States. Compliance with these requirements is overseen by the U.S. Department of Commerce in coordination with the Made in America Office.
A Sales Advantage for US-Based Manufacturers
Many of our customers have embraced this legislation as it provides a significant sales advantage for those pursuing infrastructure projects. For businesses with US-based manufacturing operations, the BABA Act opens doors to a sales advantage. Tracking which cities, utilities, and specific infrastructure projects are requiring compliance is now essential.
At Citylitics, we understand the importance of staying informed about these requirements and have developed a robust platform to keep you ahead of the curve.
Citylitics: Your BABA Act Intelligence Hub
Our Citylitics platform ingests millions of new public documents a month in aggregate from every city, utility, and public agency across the United States. This vast repository of information allows us to help you identify instances where the BABA Act is mentioned, enabling you to make informed decisions and strategic moves in the public infrastructure sector.
Here are the various contexts in which the BABA Act gets mentioned in public documents:
- Agreement Articles: These are contracts between cities, utilities, or public agencies and the funding agency that supports infrastructure projects. These agreements often contain clauses related to BABA Act compliance, specifying the requirement for domestically sourced materials.
- Vendor Compliance Notices: Cities, utilities, or public agencies issue notices to contractors, often as part of a Request for Proposal (RFP), specifying BABA Act compliance as a criterion for bids.
- BABA Guidance: Some cities, utilities, or agencies provide guidelines to owners or contractors on what the BABA Act entails and how to meet compliance standards for BABA Act projects. These documents can include Q&A discussions and meeting minutes.
- BABA Not Required: Occasionally, you will come across instances where cities, utilities, or agencies mention that they will not be using BABA Act funding for a particular project. This can be crucial information for businesses aiming to align their projects with BABA Act requirements.
- Seeking Funding: Cities, utilities, or agencies may mention future infrastructure projects for which they are seeking funding that will require BABA Act compliance. These documents can provide valuable insights for businesses looking to tap into these opportunities.
Stay Ahead with Citylitics
If tracking mentions of the BABA Act in public documents is critical for your business’s sales intelligence, reach out to Citylitics. Our platform is designed to empower you with the information you need to navigate the complex landscape of infrastructure projects.