Alex Litchfield
Sales Director, Transit & Parking
MEI
1301 Wilson Drive
West Chester, PA 19390

Re: Buy America Waiver

Dear Mr. Litchfield:

This letter responds to MEI’s request for a Buy America waiver for the Sodeco BNA57/542 Bill Handling Units, which are manufactured in Switzerland for use in ticket vending machines. For the reasons below, I have determined that a non-availability waiver is appropriate here.

With limited exceptions, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) may not obligate funds for a project unless all iron, steel, and manufactured products used in the project are produced in the United States.[1] Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2)(B), FTA may waive its Buy America requirements if the goods for which a waiver is requested are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available amount or are not of a satisfactory quality.[2]

On September 18, 2006, after calling for notice and comment, FTA granted a non-availability waiver to MEI for the BNA57/542 Bill Handling Units. Consistent with FTA practice, the waiver was valid for a period of two years, or until such time as a domestic source for this type of manufactured product became available. In two years time, no such domestic supplier has surfaced. FTA takes this as evidence that the BNA57/452 is not available from a domestic source. Therefore, FTA hereby renews MEI’s waiver for an additional two years or until such time as a domestic supplier becomes available, whichever occurs first.

If you have any questions, please contact Jayme L. Blakesley at (202) 366-0304 or jayme.blakesley@dot.gov.

Sincerely,

Scott A. Biehl
Acting Chief Counsel