On behalf of the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA), Tribal Leaders are invited to an interagency Tribal consultation on the implementation of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, which was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58).
BABA applies a new purchasing preference for American-made products that could significantly impact Tribal infrastructure projects. It provides that "none of the funds made available for a Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure, including each deficient program, may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States.
This provision does not apply to the P.L. 93-638 agreements that Tribes have with the U.S. Department of the Interior.
A consultation will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 (see more information below). Prior to this consultation, a virtual Tribal caucus session will be held from 12:30 - 2:00 pm ET (please note the start time has been updated to 12:30 pm, instead of 1:00 pm as noted in the invitation letter).
In the event you cannot attend and wish to send a proxy, please notify the WHCNAA by Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at whcnaa@bia.gov.
The WHCNAA encourages Tribal Leaders to submit written consultation remarks by Thursday, October 20, 2022, to whcnaa@bia.gov.
Invitation
Consultation Materials
Sessions
Comment Deadline
The WHCNAA encourages Tribal Leaders to submit written consultation remarks by Thursday, October 20, 2022, to whcnaa@bia.gov.
