BABA-Compliant Solutions
With a large portfolio of U.S.-made products, GCP makes it easier to meet the complex requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act. From Building Envelope to Fireproofing and more, our breadth of offerings—combined with deep building science knowledge—can help ensure your federally funded projects meet compliance while achieving superior performance and sustainability.
Our team is here to provide project-specific guidance and documentation, so you can build with confidence.
About the BABA Act
The Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, enacted as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, strengthens domestic sourcing requirements for federally funded infrastructure projects. It mandates that iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in these projects be produced in the United States, with specific compliance criteria that vary by product type.
BABA applies to the construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of public infrastructure undertaken by non-federal entities using federal financial assistance. It does not apply to direct federal procurement.
Defining “Produced in the United States”
BABA covers all iron and steel, construction materials, and manufactured products that are used in, built into, or permanently attached to an infrastructure project. Each category has its own definition and criteria for what qualifies as “produced in the United States.”
Construction Materials
All manufacturing processes must take place in the U.S.—from initial production to final form. This applies to non-ferrous metals, plastic and polymer-based products, glass, fiber optic cable, optical fiber, lumber, engineered wood, and drywall.
Manufactured Materials
The product itself must be fully manufactured in the U.S., including final assembly, integration of components, and finishing.
The cost of U.S.-made components must account for at least 55% of the total cost of all components. Components are considered U.S.-made if they were mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States.
BABA vs. Other U.S. Manufacturing Standards
| Standard | Applies To | Requirements | Threshold |
| Made in the USA | General consumer products | “All or virtually all” U.S. origin (FTC standard) | Highly subjective, FTC-regulated |
| Buy American Act | Federal procurement contracts | Manufactured in the USA, ≥65% domestic components | 65% domestic content, increasing to 75% in 2029 |
| BABA | Federally assisted infrastructure | Up to 100% of iron/steel, manufactured goods, and construction materials produced in the U.S. | ≥55% domestic cost for products |