Action
Notice of proposed Buy America waiver and request for comment.
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request from the Metro North Railroad (MNR) for a Buy America non-availability waiver for the procurement of a steel excavator with a continuous wield platform (CWP). MNR seeks to procure a CWP to clear the right-of-way after storms and thereby enabling the timely resumption of passenger train service. MNR seeks a waiver for the requirement that final assembly take place in the United States because there is no domestic manufacturer available to produce the equipment. 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2) and 49 CFR 661.7(c)(2). In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA is providing notice of the non-availability waiver request and seeks public comment before deciding whether to grant the request. If granted, the waiver would apply to a one-time procurement only for the specific equipment identified in the waiver request.