The “Buy America” (BABA) waivers are available for FEMA financial assistance awards. The table below gives the relevant dates and general information about each waiver, which links to more detailed information about that specific waiver.
| Waiver | Period | Description |
|---|---|---|
| De Minimis Waiver | 03/14/2023 to 03/13/2028 | Waives the BABAA requirements for up to 5% of the total material costs subject to BABAA, not to exceed $1,000,000. |
| Minor Components Waiver | 07/23/2023 to 07/22/2028 | Waives up to five percent of the total material cost of an otherwise domestically produced iron or steel product. |
| Multi-Agency Pacific Island Territories Public Interest Waiver | 01/10/2025 to 01/09/2030 | Waives BABAA requirements for public infrastructure projects funded by the Agencies in the Pacific Island territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands except for certain items that have been identified as having critical supply chains that are essential to U.S. strategic interests. |
| Multi-Agency Tribal Public Interest Waiver | 01/10/2025 to 01/09/2030 | Waives BABAA requirements for awards and subawards provided to Tribes with a total amount of $2.5 million or less, effective through Jan. 9, 2030.
Additionally, waives BABAA requirements for manufactured products purchased by Tribes, regardless of award amount until Sept. 30, 2026. |
| One-Year General Applicability Waiver for Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program | 01/10/2025 to 01/09/2026 | Waives BABAA requirements for awards under the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF for a one-year period. |
| Small Projects Waiver | 02/21/2023 to 02/20/2028 | Waives the BABAA requirements for infrastructure projects under FEMA awards or subawards where the total project cost does not exceed the federal simplified acquisition threshold (currently set at $250,000). |