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Peggy White, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: peggy

Post Number: 45
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Friday, September 21, 2012 - 03:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Hello - sorry if this is a repeat question. I got a comment recently from a client asking about requiring 'Made in America' for reinforcing steel. Is this even possible anymore for any products with our global economy?

Thanks in advance for your insight on this issue.
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan

Post Number: 497
Registered: 05-2004
Posted on Friday, September 21, 2012 - 06:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I believe that there are still sources for this material in the US; however, the problem is tracking it down. This is a commodity item, almost a fungible item, and would be difficult to track down unless you were really motivated. I know it is available (or it was several years ago) in this area because there are a number of "mini mills" producing it. I would be surprised if it is produced in great quantity. Its availability is also affected by the availability and cost of scrap steel (the stuff these places produce is almost totally recycled material). I know that several years ago, local producers were being outbid for scrap by overseas manufacturers.

Bottom line: it can be done; not necessarily a bad idea; but the global market does not simply produce cheap products, it can affect the availability of raw materials as well.
Sheldon Wolfe
Senior Member
Username: sheldon_wolfe

Post Number: 588
Registered: 01-2003


Posted on Friday, September 21, 2012 - 10:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Was the question related to agency purchasing requirements? "Buy America" and "Buy American" rules are not the same; if that's what you're talking about, read the applicable statutes and rules.
Peggy White, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: peggy

Post Number: 46
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2012 - 11:48 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Sheldon, it was a general spec review comment on a municipal project: "Can we stlpulate 'Made in America' for materiais? | e. reinforcing steel , etc." So no, not an agency purchasing requirement. Just a question.

JPJ's response was helpful - thanks. My understanding from recent research on the LEED Regional Materials Credit for another project confirms your assessment. Scrap is coming from elsewhere for the most part, and tracking the origin of material components in general is increasingly difficult.
Ron Beard CCS
Senior Member
Username: rm_beard_ccs

Post Number: 393
Registered: 10-2002


Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2012 - 01:56 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

The only material I specifically specify as being made in America is gypsum wallboard. Most of my current clients are non-governmental, however.
"Fast is good, but accurate is better."
.............Wyatt Earp

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