The Department of Commerce (DOC) is seeking comment on a proposal to issue a limited waiver of the Buy America Domestic Content Procurement Preference (Buy America Preference) to recipients of federal financial assistance under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
DOC is proposing the waiver to ensure that BEAD Program awardees will have access to the manufactured products necessary to fulfill their obligations under the program. Specifically, DOC is seeking comment on the availability of:
- relevant iron or steel products,
- manufactured products, and
- construction materials.
Comments must be received by September 21, 2023, and should be submitted electronically to BABA@ntia.gov with “BEAD Program Nonavailability Waiver” in the subject line.
Please contact Assistant Chief Counsel Jamie Saloom at jamie.saloom@sba.gov with any small business concerns.