Bill > S692

This bill establishes a "Buy American Policy" for the Worcester Housing Authority, prioritizing goods and services manufactured in the United States for its projects, which are largely funded by federal and state governments. The policy defines "manufactured in the United States" as items undergoing substantial transformation within the U.S., and establishes a "first preference" for American-made items and a "second preference" for foreign-sourced items. Purchases from foreign sources are permitted only under specific exceptions, such as when American-made items are unavailable in sufficient quantity, quality, or within the required timeframe, or if they increase project costs by more than 20 percent, though the executive director can deny foreign source purchases even if these conditions are met. Suppliers must certify that their items are manufactured in the U.S., and the Housing Authority will provide guidelines for determining "substantial transformation" and outline enforcement actions for non-compliance, which can range from requiring removal of non-compliant materials to withholding payments, suspending or terminating awards, or debarring the recipient from future contracts. The act also clarifies that equipment used for construction or modernization projects, but not incorporated into them, is exempt, and the Housing Authority can continue to follow federal procurement regulations. The policy will be in effect for three years, and the Worcester Housing Authority will report its results annually to the General Court.