This IM is intended to provide additional instruction in the acceptance of steel and iron products as it relates to the Buy America requirements in 23 CFR 635.410 and Standard Specification 1107.06. A manufactured product is considered subject to Buy America if it is predominantly steel or iron.
PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO BUY AMERICA
The following lists of products, at a minimum, are subject to the Buy America requirements.
Group 1 – Products requiring mill test reports with shipments to projects
IM 451– Steel Reinforcement
IM 451.02– Galvanized Steel Bars
IM 451.03B– Epoxy-Coated Steel Reinforcement
IM 452– Deformed and Plain Stainless Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
IM 453.06B – High Strength Fasteners
IM 453.07– Stainless Steel Fasteners
IM 453.08– Anchor Bolts
IM 467– Steel Piles
IM 467.01– Steel H-Piles
IM 467.02– Steel Sheet Piles
IM 467.03– Steel Pipe Piles
IM 468– Pile Points for Steel H-Piles
IM 557– Qualification of Steel Fabrication Shops & Plants
Group 2 – Products not requiring mill test reports with shipments to projects
IM 411– Truncated Domes/Detectable Warning Systems
IM 441– Corrugated Metal Culvert Pipe
IM 441.01– Coupling devices for corrugated metal culvert pipe
IM 443.01– Rodent Guards
IM 443.02– Safety Grates
IM 444– Corrugated Zinc-Coated Steel Plates for Pipes & Arches
IM 445– Precast Concrete
IM 445.01– Concrete Pipe & Special Sections
IM 445.02– Precast Box Culverts
IM 445.03– Mechanically-Stabilized Earth (MSE) Retaining Wall Panels
IM 445.06– Precast Concrete Noise Walls
IM 449.05– Inspection & Acceptance of Utility Access Adjustment Rings
IM 451.01– Reinforcing Steel Supports
IM 453.04– Steel Castings (Carbon), Gray Iron Castings, and Ductile Iron Castings
IM 453.09– Concrete Anchors
IM 453.10– Shear Stud Connectors
IM 454.10– Chain-Link Fence and Field Fence
IM 455.01– High Tension Cable Guardrail
IM 455.02– Formed Steel Beam Railing, Cable Rail, Anchor Cable & Steel Post for Guardrail
IM 485– Light Pole Bases
IM 485.10– Inspection & Acceptance of Rigid Steel Conduit
IM 486.10– Perforated Square Steel Tube Post and Anchor
IM 558– Structural Field Welding & Inspection
IM 565– Steel Fabrication Shop Documentation
IM 570– Precast & Prestressed Concrete Bridge Units
IM 571– Plants for Production of Precast Concrete Barrier
The required documentation for all steel and iron products incorporated in a project will be at a minimum the mill test report and materials identification in addition to all product specific information identified in the pertinent IM.
The mill test reports must be signed, stamped and dated. The materials identification must provide traceability by heat number, grade and type. As an example, the bill of lading may help provide this traceability.
Mill test reports must contain a certification statement indicating all steel or iron has been melted and manufactured in the USA in accordance with the Buy America requirements. In addition, coated steel or iron must have a certification statement indicating all coatings have been applied in the USA.
A. Products from Approved Fabricators/Suppliers
The approved fabricator/supplier is required to maintain a file containing all required documentation for a minimum of seven years from the time the products are shipped for incorporation into a project. The required documentation will be at a minimum the information indicated above plus anything product specific identified in the pertinent IM.
B. Project Documentation from Approved Fabricators/Suppliers
1. Product IMs identified above in Group 1 indicate the fabricator/supplier will be required to provide mill test reports with shipments to the project.
2. For products in Group 2, the fabricator/supplier must provide a letter certifying all of the materials are in compliance with Buy America and the necessary supporting documentation will be retained as indicated in A above.
C. Products from Unapproved Fabricators/Suppliers
All documentation from unapproved fabricators/suppliers must be provided at the time of shipment and prior to incorporation.