AFL’s Role in Federally Funded Projects
AFL is here to help demystify the complex regulations for materials supplied into Federal Government Funded projects. The Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA), enacted under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on November 15, 2021, emphasizes the use of services, goods, products, and materials made in the United States. BABAA mandates that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in federally funded infrastructure projects be produced in the U.S., with proper documentation required to secure funding.
AFL BEAD Self-Certified Products
AFL has over 4,000 cable and connectivity part numbers which are already compliant for the BEAD program and/or BABA in general. See the overview below. For the full list of self-certified products for the BEAD program, click the link below.
Build America, Buy America (BABA) and Waiver Compliance by Product
The below chart summarizes compliance status for AFL’s full compliment of broadband products. AFL defines product compliance into two categories:
BABA Compliant Products Available: Meets requirements of the Build America, Buy America (BABA), and 2 C.F.R. 184. All fiber, ribboning (if applicable), cable, and preform manufacturing occurs in the United States. For each manufactured product, at least 55% of the content is produced in the United States, and the product was manufactured in the United States. For non-ferrous metals, plastic, and polymer products, all manufacturing processes occurred in the United States.
BEAD Compliant Products Available: Meets the modified BABA requirements per NTIA's Limited General Applicability Nonavailability Waiver of the Buy America Domestic Content Procurement Preference as Applied to Recipients of the BEAD Program, also known as the “BEAD Waiver”. The BEAD Waiver exempts certain BABA requirements to broaden supply chain options for BEAD program participants, aiming to connect every American to reliable broadband.
Note on BABA and Potential Waivers: It is final that participants in Federally Funded projects ensure that material purchasers are familiar with the Funding Program being utilized for the project, including sourcing requirements and potential waivers. Available waivers open up purchasing options for projects, expanding supply chains and minimizing cost. To ensure Build America, Buy America or any other domestic preference requirements are appropriately captured and maintained throughout the order fulfillment process, the specific requirements must be specified at the time of purchase order to AFL.
|
PRODUCT CATEGORY - DOC & NTIA DEFINITIONS - |
AFL PRODUCT EXAMPLES |
SUMMARIZED REQUIREMENT - PER BABA W/ BEAD WAIVER - |
BEAD COMPLIANCE |
BABA COMPLIANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
FIBER OPTIC CABLE >> LOOSE TUBE |
Cable, fiber, and preform manufacturing must all occur in the US |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
FIber optic cable >> RIBBON |
Cable, ribbonizing, fiber, and preform manufacturing must all occur in the US |
In Progress (Q2, 2025) to BEAD Compliance |
In Progress (Q2, 2025) to BABA Compliance |
|
|
Connectorized Cable Assemblies |
Trident® Drop Cables |
Cable and fiber must be made in US, but connectors can be made and terminated elsewhere |
✓ |
✓ |
|
PASSIVE OPTICAL COMPONENTS |
BABA requirements waived for BEAD program |
✓ |
|
|
|
Enclosures >> Vaults |
55% of component cost must come from US, and certain manufacturing steps must occur in the US |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Enclosures >> Cabinets |
IDEAA® Exterior Distribution Cabinet |
In Progress (Q1, 2025) to BEAD Compliance |
In Progress (Q1, 2025) to BABA Compliance |
|
|
Enclosures >> Closures & Terminals |
Apex® |
✓ |
|
|
|
ADSS HARDWARE |
Manufactured Product- 55% of component cost must come from US |
In Progress (Q2, 2025) to BEAD Compliance |
In Progress (Q2, 2025) to BABA Compliance |
|
|
Non ferrous metals, plastic and polymer products- all manufacturing processes occurred in the US |
||||
|
EQUIPMENT |
BABA only applies to products that are consumed in, incorporated into, or affixed to an infrastructure project. |
N/A |
N/A |
*AFL has confirmed that parts complying with the BABA/BEAD Waiver are marked with a check.
To ensure Build America, Buy America or any other domestic preference requirements are appropriately captured and maintained throughout the order fulfillment process, the specific requirements must be specified at the time of purchase order to AFL.