Buy America Requirements for Iron and Steel

Over the years congress has passed several domestic content laws aimed at protecting American manufacturing and manufacturing jobs. Two of these laws have similar names and are frequently confused with each other:

  • The Buy American Act (1933)
  • Buy America Act (1978)

Today, Buy America refers to several similar statutes and regulations that apply to federal funds used to support projects in highways, public transportation, aviation, and intercity passenger rail, including Amtrak. TETP has developed the Buy America for Iron and Steel e-learning to help CDOT and Consultant Project Engineers and Inspectors, Contractors, and Local Agency personnel understand the differences between the two acts and to explain which CDOT documents have Buy America requirements. The Buy America Requirements for Iron and Steel eLearning course is now available to complete for credit in CDOT's Learning Management System.

Buy America Requirements eLearning

The Buy America for Iron and Steel e-learning introduces the requirements for the use of iron and steel products in federally-funded highway construction projects and explains the documentation requirements for every process performed on these steel and iron products. Failure to comply with both the use and the documentation requirements can result in the need to take corrective action, reduction in payment to the Contractor, loss of federal funding, and criminal and civil liability.

The e-learning course also introduces two new CDOT tools:

  • A flowchart outlining the steps from melting/smelting to project incorporation.
  • A detailed checklist that can be used to ensure that iron and steel products comply with use and documentation requirements.

LMS Blackout Period for CDOT Employees and External Partners

CDOT is moving to a new Learning Management System (LMS) called SOC Learns. From Friday, Sept. 23 to Monday, Oct. 3, the current CDOT LMS will be unavailable. During this time you will not be able to take e-learnings in the LMS, including the Buy America e-Learning. If you need assistance during the blackout period, please email TETP manager [email protected].

Read this announcement for more information about the LMS transition and blackout period.