Build America, Buy America (BABA) · Buy American Act (BAA)
Know if your products meet BABA and the Buy American Act.
Upload your bills of materials. We check every product against Build America, Buy America (BABA), the Buy American Act (BAA) and FHWA and FTA Buy America, and show where each one stands.
Highway suppliers: the 55% component rule applies to projects obligated on or after Oct 1, 2026. FHWA final rule, Federal Register (opens in a new tab)
Which rule is your customer asking about?
Match the words in your RFP or spec to the rule. You tell us where you sell; we check the rules that apply.
BABA, Build America Buy America, 2 CFR 1842 CFR 184 (opens in a new tab)
- What it covers
- Federally funded infrastructure
- What we check
- Manufactured products must be made in the US with more than 55% US component cost; iron, steel and eight listed construction materials (such as non-ferrous metals, plastics, glass, lumber and drywall) must go through every manufacturing step in the US.
Buy American Act, FAR 52.225-1 and 52.225-9FAR 52.225-1 (opens in a new tab)FAR 52.225-9 (opens in a new tab)
- What it covers
- Federal agency purchases and federal construction
- What we check
- Products must be made in the US, with US components above 65% of component cost for items delivered 2024 to 2028 and 75% from 2029 (COTS items are exempt; iron and steel products instead need less than 5% foreign iron and steel).Source: FAR 25.101 (opens in a new tab)
Buy America (FHWA, 23 CFR 635.410)23 CFR 635.410 (opens in a new tab)
- What it covers
- Federal-aid highway projects
- What we check
- The 55% component rule applies to projects obligated on or after Oct 1, 2026.Source: FHWA final rule, Federal Register (opens in a new tab)
Buy America (FTA, 49 CFR 661)49 CFR 661 (opens in a new tab)
- What it covers
- Transit
- What we check
- Where each component was manufactured, what it costs, and where the product is finally assembled.
American Iron and Steel (AIS)EPA AIS requirement (opens in a new tab)
- What it covers
- EPA water State Revolving Fund projects
- What we check
- Whether the product's iron and steel was produced in the US.
DFARS Buy American, DFARS 252.225-7001 and subpart 225.70DFARS 252.225-7001 (opens in a new tab)DFARS 225.70 (opens in a new tab)
- What it covers
- Department of Defense purchases, including military construction
- What we check
- Where each component was manufactured and what it costs. We flag items DFARS restricts, such as specialty metals.
Trade Agreements Act (FAR 52.225-5)FAR 52.225-5 (opens in a new tab)
- What it covers
- Federal supply contracts of $174,000 or more; construction contracts of $6,683,000 or moreSource: FAR 25.402 (opens in a new tab)
- What we check
- We flag it: it may apply instead of the Buy American Act.
Buy America and Buy American sound alike but are different rules.
What each report shows
A result for each rule
Every product checked against each rule that applies, with its domestic content worked out from your component costs.
The components pulling it down
Which parts count against the product, so you know where to look first.
The evidence still missing
The exact documents that would back up what you told us.
How your BABA and Buy American check works
Four steps, all online. No sales call, no kickoff meeting.
- Step 1
Tell us where you sell
Pick the kinds of buyers you sell to. We work out which rules apply.
- Step 2
Add your products and component costs
One workbook for many products, or one BOM per product. You see the price per product as you go.
- Step 3
Add the supplier documents you have
Supplier letters, certificates of origin, mill test reports, invoices. Whatever you have.
- Step 4
Get your report
A result for every product, against every rule that applies to where you sell.
The rules apply to your customer's project. The test applies to your product. We tell you where each product stands so you can answer every project that asks.
What you get for each product
One of four results, each with its report.
Verified by Certivo
Passes every rule that applies, and the data is backed by evidence on file.
Passes on your data, evidence needed
The numbers pass, but some inputs are stated, not documented.
Does not pass
Domestic content falls short, or a component fails a strict rule.
Not enough data
The unit cost delivered to plant or the country where components were manufactured is missing for too much of the product to call it.
Verified products also get a certification letter template (complete one per project) and the Verified by Certivo mark.
What to bring
Only the BOMs are required. The more you bring, the more we can verify.
- Required
Product BOMs with unit cost delivered to plant
- If you have it
The country where each component was manufactured
- If you have it
Where each product is finally assembled
- If you have it
Supplier letters, certificates of origin or mill test reports
- If you have it
Invoices or quotes that back up your costs
Start from our templates: Products workbook (Excel) or Supplier list (CSV). Your own format works too.
Pricing per product
One-time payment for the report. The number of components in each product sets its price.
| Components in the product | Price per product |
|---|---|
| 1–50 components | $250 |
| 51–250 components | $450 |
| 251–1,000 components | $750 |
| Over 1,000 components | Talk to sales |
Volume discount
Off the order total, by the number of products in the order.
- 5–19 products
- 15% off
- 20–50 products
- 25% off
- More than 50 products
- Talk to sales
Annual re-verification
$200 per Verified product per year
Only for products that reach Verified by Certivo, and only if you choose it. We'll ask before anything renews.
Example order: 6 products
- 2 products with 1–50 components, $250 each
- $500
- 2 products with 51–250 components, $450 each
- $900
- 2 products with 251–1,000 components, $750 each
- $1,500
- Subtotal
- $2,900
- Volume discount, 15% off
- −$435
- Total, paid once
- $2,465
One-time payment for the report, by card or US bank account. You see the total before you pay.
Check my productsMore than 50 products, or want us to handle supplier outreach? Talk to our team
Questions
The short answers. Anything else, just ask us.
Which rules do you check?
Every BABA and Buy American rule that applies to where you sell: Build America, Buy America (BABA), the Buy American Act (BAA), and agency Buy America rules such as FHWA's and FTA's. You tell us where you sell and we work out which rules apply to each product.
Do you contact my suppliers?
No. The report covers what you give us. If you'd like us to collect documents from your suppliers and keep them current, that's the Certivo platform. Talk to our sales team about it.
What if a product doesn't pass?
Your report shows which components cause it and what would need to change. Every result that isn't Verified by Certivo ends with next steps.
Who signs the certification?
You do. The manufacturer signs the certification letter for each product. Certivo verifies the data behind it, and for Verified products we give you a certification letter template (complete one per project). You fill it in for each project that asks, and sign it.
Does this cover a whole project?
This report covers your products. For a full project compliance pack across every material, talk to our team.
How long does it take?
5 business days after all your data is in. If we need anything else, we email you a link to your order page where you can add it.
Do I have to share real prices?
Prefer not to share real prices? Multiply every cost by the same number. The percentage only depends on proportions. You'll need real invoices only for Verified by Certivo.
Who sees my cost data?
Only the Certivo staff working your order, and whoever holds your private order link. Your files are kept in private storage, never at a public link. Payments are handled by Stripe; we never see your card or bank details.
Answer the next BABA or Buy American letter with confidence.
Start with the products your customers are asking about. It takes a few minutes to upload.