What is AIS & BABA Compliance and Why It Matters for Utility Access

For municipalities, utilities, and contractors, compliance with domestic manufacturing requirements is no longer an administrative formality; it is a core requirement for federal funding and successful project delivery. The American Iron and Steel (AIS) provision, established under the 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014, and the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed in 2021 establish strict rules on how and where products must be manufactured. Non-compliance can jeopardize funding, create costly delays, and expose projects to long-term risks.

With billions of dollars in federal investment flowing into infrastructure, understanding these requirements has never been more critical. Choosing American-made, fully compliant products not only ensures funding eligibility but also reduces risk, stabilizes supply chains, and supports reliable system performance.

AIS and BABA Requirements

AIS and BABA both apply directly to iron, steel, manufactured goods, and construction materials used in federally funded infrastructure projects. There are important distinctions within the legislation that matter greatly for utility access products.

AIS requires that all iron and steel products in EPA-funded water infrastructure projects be produced entirely in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency specifies that compliance applies to domestic manufacturing processes such as melting, refining, forming, rolling, drawing, finishing, fabricating, and assembly. Municipal castings including valve boxes, lids, manhole covers, and meter boxes are explicitly listed as products covered under this rule.

BABA expanded these requirements to nearly all federally funded infrastructure projects. The Department of Energy summarizes the rule as follows: “All iron and steel used in the project is produced in the United States. This means all manufacturing processes, from the initial melting stage through the application of coatings, occurred in the United States.”

For cast iron and ductile iron products, this means there is no allowable foreign percentage unless a federal agency issues a formal waiver, which is typically limited to cases where compliant domestic products are unavailable or would significantly increase project costs. Melting and pouring must occur entirely in the U.S. The “percentage” thresholds apply only to manufactured products, where compliance is based on domestic content by cost.Current standards require at least 55 percent U.S. content, with thresholds scheduled to increase under federal guidance in the coming years.

This distinction is crucial. Iron and steel components like valve boxes and covers are subject to a 100 percent domestic requirement, while manufactured products are measured by content percentages.

Risks of Imported Products

Despite these rules, some projects still rely on imported products in an effort to reduce upfront costs. In practice, this often creates significant compliance and performance risks. Overseas sourcing introduces exposure to tariffs, shipping delays, and supply chain instability. Even when products arrive on time, they may lack the required documentation to prove compliance, resulting in failed inspections or funding interruptions.

The risks of relying on imports include:

• Tariffs or duties that increase costs unpredictably
  
  
• Port congestion and customs delays that disrupt schedules
  
  
• Missing documentation needed to confirm compliance
  
  
• Quality inconsistencies that shorten product lifespan
  
  
• Supply chain instability tied to global market conditions
  
  

Even if initial unit costs appear lower, these risks often drive total costs much higher over the life of the project.

Hidden Costs of Non-Compliance

Utilities and municipalities may already be seeing the impact of non-compliant or imported products. Common warning signs include recurring product failures, installation requirements that demand extra labor, and delivery delays that slow down field work. In many cases, dimensions or material properties do not align with U.S. infrastructure standards, forcing crews to make adjustments in the field.

Another hidden cost comes from compliance documentation. If a supplier cannot provide complete records showing where materials were sourced and manufactured, the burden falls on the project team to prove eligibility for funding. This not only slows progress but also introduces the risk of losing federal dollars altogether.

These challenges highlight why choosing U.S.-made products are more than a compliance decision, it’s a strategic one.

The Advantages of Choosing American-Made Utility Systems

Domestic sourcing eliminates these challenges by ensuring both compliance and reliability. U.S.-made products are manufactured to consistent specifications and supported by the documentation federal agencies require. Working with American manufacturers also avoids the unpredictability of global shipping and customs processes, which helps keep projects on schedule.

The benefits of sourcing domestically include:

• Verified AIS and BABA documentation for every component
  
  
• Reliable delivery timelines without international shipping risk
  
  
• Consistent product quality and performance
  
  
• Availability of custom solutions to meet local system needs
  
  
• Reduced risk of inspection delays and funding complications
  
  

While imported products may carry lower unit prices, American-made utility systems often deliver a lower total cost of ownership by reducing downtime, eliminating rework, and simplifying compliance.

How Bingham & Taylor Exceeds AIS and BABA Standards

Bingham & Taylor manufactures 100 percent of its products in the United States, ensuring full compliance with AIS and BABA requirements. Unlike suppliers that rely on manufactured imports, our cast iron, ductile iron, and plastic products are produced entirely in U.S. facilities.

Every stage of manufacturing is performed domestically, from melting and pouring to finishing, fabricating, and assembly. By keeping production in the U.S., Bingham & Taylor gives municipalities and utilities confidence in compliance and long-term reliability.

Ensuring Compliance in Every Utility Access Component

Compliance is not limited to high-profile system elements such as pipes and pumps. Smaller components like valve boxes, curb boxes, meter lids, risers, and manhole covers are all subject to the same rules and must be verified with equal scrutiny.

To remain compliant, project teams should confirm:

• 100 percent domestic origin for all iron and steel products
  
  
• At least 55 percent U.S. content in manufactured goods
  
  
• Detailed documentation of sourcing and production locations
  
  

Working with a supplier that operates exclusively in the U.S. simplifies this process. A trusted partner provides full traceability, anticipates agency expectations, and helps teams navigate changing regulations or waiver requirements.

Securing Long-Term Success Through Compliance

AIS and BABA compliance is a permanent requirement for federally funded infrastructure projects. The distinction between iron and steel rules versus manufactured product rules underscores the importance of choosing the right supplier. For iron and steel products in particular, there is no allowance for foreign content. Everything must be melted, poured, and produced in the United States.

Bingham & Taylor exceeds this standard by manufacturing all products in the U.S., from source material through final assembly. By choosing Bingham & Taylor’s compliant utility access systems, municipalities and utilities can secure funding, reduce project risk, and ensure long-term system reliability.