Steel and Iron
Under the Buy America provision of Title 23 CFR 635.410, Steel and Iron used on Federal Aid projects is to be of domestic origin and manufacture, including any coatings. This page is set up to house supplementary information and guidance related to subsection 106.09 Domestic Materials in MDT’s Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.
Construction Memo on Buy America Training and Webpage
Please use the links below to find guidance and helpful information on navigating the Buy America rules and regulations related to Steel and Iron. This information is meant to be a reference for both Contractors and MDT personnel.
Additional information on the law; regulations; and FHWA policy and guidance can be found on the FHWA Construction Program Guide on Buy America webpage.
With respect to precast concrete products that are classified as manufactured products, ensure the components of precast concrete products that consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both meet the requirements of subsection 106.09.
Construction Materials
Under the Build America, Buy America provision of IIAJ, the following Construction Materials must be produced in the United States. Specific definitions are provided for "produced in the United States" CFR Section 184.
- Non-ferrous metals.
- Plastic and polymer-based products (including polyvinylchloride, composite building materials, and polymers used in fiber optic cables).
- Glass (including optic glass).
- Fiber optic cable (including drop cable).
- Optical fiber.
- Lumber.
- Drywall, and
- Engineered wood.
Cement and cementitious materials, aggregates such as stone, sand, or gravel, or aggregate binding agents or additives are exempt under §70917(c).
MDT has categorized our list of Materials in Materials Manual Section MT 601 to show which materials are categorized as construction materials. A Form 407 must be supplied for all construction materials.
Additional information on the law, regulations, and FHWA policy and guidance can be found on the FHWA Construction Program Guide on Buy America webpage.
Manufactured Products
The Buy America law has contained a provision requiring manufactured products to be of domestic origin for many years. Furnish manufactured products as defined in 2 CFR 184.3 that meet the requirements of 23 CFR 635.410. A waiver was applied the exempted them from the requirements until recently. Beginning with the letting of November 13, 2025, the final fabrication of all manufactured products must occur in the United States. Beginning with the November 12, 2026 bid letting, the product must be manufactured in the United States and the cost of the components of the manufactured product that are mined, produced or manufactured in the United States must be greater than 55% of the total cost of all components of the manufactured product.
MDT has categorized our list of Materials in Materials Manual Section MT 601 to show which materials are categorized as manufactured products. With respect to precast concrete products that are classified as manufactured products, ensure the components of precast concrete products that consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both meet the requirements of subsection 106.09.
Ensure products will comply with these provisions prior to ordering and installation. A Form 407 must be supplied for all manufactured products.
The NEMA Make it American® program may aide in finding compliant electrical materials. The registry can be found on the Make It American BABA Program webpage.
Additional information on the law, regulations, and FHWA policy and guidance can be found on the FHWA Construction Program Guide on Buy America webpage.