Government-wide BABA baseline (OMB M-24-02)
OMB Made in America Office BABA rules for construction material
How the Build America, Buy America construction material standard applies to a project funded by Office of Management and Budget - Made in America Office. The cited rule, a worked example, and the waiver options.
Run it in the calculatorAll manufacturing processes for the construction material must have occurred in the United States. OMB defines the covered materials, which include non-ferrous metals, plastic and polymer-based products, glass, fiber optic cable, optical fiber, lumber, drywall, and engineered wood.
A worked example
Take HDPE pipe, a plastic and polymer-based construction material, supplied to a OMB Made in America Office project. Every manufacturing process has to occur in the United States.
- Resin productionUnited States
- CompoundingUnited States
- ExtrusionUnited States
- Finishing and markingUnited States
Every step above is in the United States, so this example is compliant. Move a single step offshore, for example extruding the pipe abroad from US resin, and the whole item is non-compliant. There is no percentage that rescues it; the standard is all-or-nothing.
How to check a line
- 1
List every manufacturing step
List each manufacturing process the construction material goes through, from the earliest stage to final finishing.
- 2
Record the location of each step
For each step, record the country where it was performed.
- 3
Confirm all steps are in the US
The item passes only if every listed manufacturing process occurred in the United States. One offshore step fails the whole item.
- 4
Handle any shortfall
If any step was performed abroad, the item is non-compliant. Check whether a waiver category applies before relying on it.
OMB Made in America Office construction material questions
What is the construction material standard for a OMB Made in America Office project?
All manufacturing processes for the construction material must have occurred in the United States. OMB defines the covered materials, which include non-ferrous metals, plastic and polymer-based products, glass, fiber optic cable, optical fiber, lumber, drywall, and engineered wood.
Is there a percentage to hit?
No. This is an all-or-nothing standard: every manufacturing process must occur in the United States. A single offshore step fails the item, regardless of cost.
What if a construction material line fails the standard?
It is non-compliant unless a recognised waiver applies and is granted by the agency. OMB Made in America Office recognises 5 waiver categories. A waiver is never a pass on its own.