Action
Notice of Proposed Buy America waiver and request for comment.
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received requests from the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IPTC) for a Buy America non-availability waiver for the procurement of an Enviroair inverter-driven ductless mini-split system air conditioner, from the York Adams Transportation Authority (YATA) for ductless split system air conditioning units, from Key West Transit (KWT) for a ductless mini-split mechanical system for the City of Key West Public Transportation Facility, and from the Springfield Redevelopment Authority (SRA) for ductless mini-split air conditioners for the Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. IPTC is constructing its Downtown Transit Center which is expected to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified and will incorporate many sustainable and energy efficient elements. The Enviroair inverter-driven ductless mini-split system air conditioner will contribute to the building's efficiency and is essential to achieving silver LEED certification. YATA is currently constructing a new Operations and Maintenance Facility in York, Pennsylvania and seeks to install several ductless air conditioning units at the facility. KWT is finishing construction on the bus transit operation and maintenance facility, which is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED project. The building contains many sustainable and efficient elements, including a variant refrigerant flow (VRF) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. KWT seeks a waiver for this VRF ductless mini-split mechanical system because there is no domestic manufacturer. The SRA seeks a waiver for ductless mini-split air conditioners as part of the renovation of the existing Terminal Building and the construction of a six story garage at the Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, because there is no domestic manufacturer. IPIC, YATA, KWT, and SRA seek waivers for these air conditioner systems because there are no domestic manufacturers. 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2) and 49 CFR 661.7(c)(2). In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA is providing notice of the non-availability waiver requests and seeks public comment before deciding whether to grant the requests. If granted, the waivers would apply to one-time procurements only for the specific air conditioning systems identified in the waiver request.