The Stimulus Act passed by Congress earlier this year mandates Buy America policy whenever legally permissible under existing U.S. trade obligation.  In fact, the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will only waive Buy America requirements if either of two conditions exist: (1) the application of the provision would be inconsistent with the public interest; or (2) when steel and iron products are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities, which are of a satisfactory quality. The FHWA sometimes publishes announcements where waivers are being sought for various projects.  Recently, AAM Field Coordinator Tina DeMao noticed that an Oregon project was seeking  a waiver for "manganese turnout castings and weld kits."  She researched the particular products and found that an American producer does indeed exist.  She then contacted the FHWA and requested that the waiver be denied. As a result, the FHWA denied the wavier and has contacted the Oregon Department of Transportation to follow-up. A look through the various waiver requests offers an interesting ground-level view of federal projects being undertaken throughout the U.S.  For example, a waiver request for a job involving steel tubing and rail in Oregon yielded seven requests that the waiver be denied.  In each case, an American producer was informing the FHWA that they would be able and willing to meet the specifications of the contract. Bottom line: at a time when the U.S. is losing manufacturing jobs, it makes sense to explore every possible avenue for sourcing bids domestically.