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Buy American Waivers David Chin & Katie Connors
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Dollars in Thousands Total: $7.2 Billion EPAs Stimulus Investments (Nationally)
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Since 1987 State Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs have provided more than $84 billion for 30,000 projects SRFs create a perpetual source of state funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. ARRA Funding $4 billion for Clean Water allotted based on statutory formula $2 billion for Drinking Water allotted based on proportional share of national need Minimum 50% subsidy 20% Green Project Reserve No state match Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF)
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Stimulus $$ as a Catalyst (New England) $405.6 million in projects $405.6 million in projects leveraging, other means leveraging, other means $149.7 million $296 million ARRA CWSRF funds ARRA DWSRF funds $1.1 billion in projects $1.1 billion in projects leveraging, other means leveraging, other means
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Buy American Provision Section 1605(a) of ARRA requires assistance recipients to use domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods that are produced in the U.S. This is the expected means of compliance. Section 1605(a) of ARRA requires assistance recipients to use domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods that are produced in the U.S. This is the expected means of compliance. Section 1605(b) provides for a waiver of this requirement under circumstances identified and limited in that provision. Section 1605(b) provides for a waiver of this requirement under circumstances identified and limited in that provision. Section 1605(c) provides that this requirement must be implemented consistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements. Section 1605(c) provides that this requirement must be implemented consistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements.
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Buy American Provision Office of Management & Budget (OMB) Guidance Office of Management & Budget (OMB) Guidance http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9- 9073.pdfhttp://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9- 9073.pdf Subpart B covers Section 1605 – the Buy American provision EPA HQ April 28 th Memo EPA HQ April 28 th Memo Implementation of Buy American provision of P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Implementation of Buy American provision of P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/Buy_Am.pdf http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/Buy_Am.pdf http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/Buy_Am.pdf
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Understanding Everyones Role
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Assistance Recipients Role Should have adequate documentation in project files to demonstrate all applicable means of BA compliance Should have adequate documentation in project files to demonstrate all applicable means of BA compliance For US made goods: verification of US production For US made goods: verification of US production For items covered under a national waiver: the documentation must include all elements specified in and required by the waiver for an item or project to be covered For items covered under a national waiver: the documentation must include all elements specified in and required by the waiver for an item or project to be covered
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Assistance Recipients Role (cont.) For any component that has been granted an individual project waiver: Federal Register Notice of project specific waiver is published For any component that has been granted an individual project waiver: Federal Register Notice of project specific waiver is published For items subject to an international agreement For items subject to an international agreement Communication from applicable state or municipal party to the agreement that recipient and item(s) are covered, andCommunication from applicable state or municipal party to the agreement that recipient and item(s) are covered, and Verification of country of originVerification of country of origin
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Assistance Recipients Role (cont.) Assistance recipients should require certification from contractors to demonstrate BA compliance Assistance recipients should require certification from contractors to demonstrate BA compliance Fraud and abuse will be investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Fraud and abuse will be investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG)
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States Role Communicate with assistance recipients the need to comply with BA Communicate with assistance recipients the need to comply with BA Assist EPA if there is additional information needed from the State Assist EPA if there is additional information needed from the State Can be as involved or hands off as each individual State would like Can be as involved or hands off as each individual State would like
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EPAs Role Region receives all waiver request packages from proposed assistance recipients Region receives all waiver request packages from proposed assistance recipients Conducts initial completeness review Conducts initial completeness review Coordinates with national contractor to perform technical assessment Coordinates with national contractor to perform technical assessment Preliminarily approves/denies waiver request based on technical assessment report and information provided by the applicant at that time Preliminarily approves/denies waiver request based on technical assessment report and information provided by the applicant at that time
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EPAs Role (cont.) Region coordinates Waiver Approval Review Process with EPA HQ (requiring EPA HQ concurrence) Region coordinates Waiver Approval Review Process with EPA HQ (requiring EPA HQ concurrence) Region prepares necessary documents for Regional Administrator approval Region prepares necessary documents for Regional Administrator approval Waiver Approval Memo Waiver Approval Memo Federal Register Notice (critical component) Federal Register Notice (critical component) Regional Waiver checklist Regional Waiver checklist
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OIGs Role Education, training, outreach, audit, evaluation and investigative activities Education, training, outreach, audit, evaluation and investigative activities Section 1515 of the ARRA allows the OIG: Section 1515 of the ARRA allows the OIG: To examine any records of the contractor or grantee, any of its subcontractors, or any State or local agency administering transactions relating to, the contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant To examine any records of the contractor or grantee, any of its subcontractors, or any State or local agency administering transactions relating to, the contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant To interview any officer or employee of the contractor, grantee, subgrantee, or agency regarding such transactions To interview any officer or employee of the contractor, grantee, subgrantee, or agency regarding such transactions
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OIGs Role (cont.) OIG has access to EPA files and records, as well as those of State, local, tribal and non-profit agencies, contractors, and sub-contractors, grantees and sub-grantees, that administer or spend EPA funds OIG has access to EPA files and records, as well as those of State, local, tribal and non-profit agencies, contractors, and sub-contractors, grantees and sub-grantees, that administer or spend EPA funds EPA Criminal Investigators have the authority to: EPA Criminal Investigators have the authority to: Administer and Take Oaths Administer and Take Oaths Serve Subpoenas Serve Subpoenas Make Arrests Make Arrests Execute Search and Seizure Warrants Execute Search and Seizure Warrants
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Documentation The April 28, 2009 guidance suggested that assistance recipients require certification from contractors to demonstrate Buy American Compliance The April 28, 2009 guidance suggested that assistance recipients require certification from contractors to demonstrate Buy American Compliance Fraud and abuse will be investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Fraud and abuse will be investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Communicate any concerns to www.epa.gov/oig/hotline/how2file.htm Communicate any concerns to www.epa.gov/oig/hotline/how2file.htm
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Certification Appendix 5 of the April 28, 2009 Guidance provides a sample certification template that may be used by ARRA assistance recipient. Appendix 5 of the April 28, 2009 Guidance provides a sample certification template that may be used by ARRA assistance recipient. Addresses: (a) identification of domestic manufactured goods; (b) verification of U.S, production; (c) documentation regarding non- American made manufactured goods - identification, verification, information and detailed justification of the use of non-American made goods Addresses: (a) identification of domestic manufactured goods; (b) verification of U.S, production; (c) documentation regarding non- American made manufactured goods - identification, verification, information and detailed justification of the use of non-American made goods
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Certification November 16, 2009 Qs &As – Part 2, Section B has a detailed discussion on what is sufficient documentation. The ARRA assistance recipient is required to make every effort to have adequate, appropriate, project specific and verifiable documentation to demonstrate compliance with Buy American November 16, 2009 Qs &As – Part 2, Section B has a detailed discussion on what is sufficient documentation. The ARRA assistance recipient is required to make every effort to have adequate, appropriate, project specific and verifiable documentation to demonstrate compliance with Buy American
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National Waivers 4 Nationwide Waivers Issued So Far 4 Nationwide Waivers Issued So Far Refinancing prior to the ARRA bill signing Refinancing prior to the ARRA bill signing Publishing Bids prior to the ARRA bill signing Publishing Bids prior to the ARRA bill signing De Minimis Waiver De Minimis Waiver Revised De Minimis Waiver Revised De Minimis Waiver
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Refinancing Waiver For projects with debt obligations incurred on or after October 1, 2008 and prior to February 17, 2009 that are refinanced by the SRF using ARRA funds For projects with debt obligations incurred on or after October 1, 2008 and prior to February 17, 2009 that are refinanced by the SRF using ARRA funds Debt obligations cannot include self- financing or incurring costs alone Debt obligations cannot include self- financing or incurring costs alone Justified by specific ARRA provision that makes eligible projects initially financed in anticipation of ARRA Justified by specific ARRA provision that makes eligible projects initially financed in anticipation of ARRA
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Publishing Bids Waiver For projects that solicited bids on or after October 1, 2008 and prior to the signing of the bill on February 17, 2009 For projects that solicited bids on or after October 1, 2008 and prior to the signing of the bill on February 17, 2009 To have a project covered, the assistance recipient must show that bids were published proactively in anticipation of ARRA funding To have a project covered, the assistance recipient must show that bids were published proactively in anticipation of ARRA funding Expanded on the Refinancing waiver Expanded on the Refinancing waiver
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De Minimis Waiver For incidental components (nuts, bolts, tubing, fasteners, etc.) of projects, where they comprise no more than 5% of the total materials cost and the country of origin is not easily identifiable For incidental components (nuts, bolts, tubing, fasteners, etc.) of projects, where they comprise no more than 5% of the total materials cost and the country of origin is not easily identifiable
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Revised De Minimis Waiver Assistance recipients may decide what foreign made goods may be allowed, including incidental components, as long as they comprise no more than 5% of the total materials cost. Assistance recipients may decide what foreign made goods may be allowed, including incidental components, as long as they comprise no more than 5% of the total materials cost. Assistance recipients are required to apply for product waivers for any foreign made goods that exceed the 5% threshold total materials cost. Assistance recipients are required to apply for product waivers for any foreign made goods that exceed the 5% threshold total materials cost.
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Revised De Minimis waiver Documentation necessary essentially the same as required by the initial De Minimis waiver Documentation necessary essentially the same as required by the initial De Minimis waiver Assistance recipients would determine and retain relevant documentation Assistance recipients would determine and retain relevant documentation Types/categories of items which this waiver is applied Types/categories of items which this waiver is applied Total cost for each type Total cost for each type Calculations of the total cost of materials used to determine the dollar value of goods to which they have applied the waiver Calculations of the total cost of materials used to determine the dollar value of goods to which they have applied the waiver
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If Covered Under a National Waiver The assistance recipient does not need to apply for an individual project waiver The assistance recipient does not need to apply for an individual project waiver Documentation that a project is covered by a national waiver must include all elements required by the waiver Documentation that a project is covered by a national waiver must include all elements required by the waiver The assistance recipient must maintain documentation in their project files The assistance recipient must maintain documentation in their project files
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Individual Project Waivers
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Justifications for a Project Waiver Applying Buy American is inconsistent with public interest (§1605(b)(1)) Applying Buy American is inconsistent with public interest (§1605(b)(1)) US iron, steel, and manufactured goods are not produced in sufficient and reasonably available quantities or of satisfactory quality (§1605(b)(2)) US iron, steel, and manufactured goods are not produced in sufficient and reasonably available quantities or of satisfactory quality (§1605(b)(2)) Inclusion of US iron, steel, and manufactured goods will increase cost of overall project by > 25% (§1605(b)(3)) Inclusion of US iron, steel, and manufactured goods will increase cost of overall project by > 25% (§1605(b)(3))
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Availability Waivers Majority or nearly all project waivers will fall under the availability waiver Majority or nearly all project waivers will fall under the availability waiver EPAs April 28, 2009 memorandum defines reasonably available quantity as: EPAs April 28, 2009 memorandum defines reasonably available quantity as: Quantity will be available at the time needed and place needed, and in the proper form or specification as specified in the project plans and design. Quantity will be available at the time needed and place needed, and in the proper form or specification as specified in the project plans and design.
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Availability Waiver Reasons to apply for an availability waiver: Reasons to apply for an availability waiver: Only Non-US Manufactured Only Non-US Manufactured IronIron Street, orStreet, or Manufactured Good(s)Manufactured Good(s) Meet the Project Specifications Meet the Project Specifications PerformancePerformance Physical CharacteristicsPhysical Characteristics Timeliness of DeliveryTimeliness of Delivery
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Waiver Request Submittal Package
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BA Waiver Request Submittal MUST Include: MUST Include: Description of the overall project Description of the overall project Provide Estimated/Projected cost of the overall project, including a breakdown of projected materials and manufactured goods Provide Estimated/Projected cost of the overall project, including a breakdown of projected materials and manufactured goods
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BA Waiver Request Submittal (Cont.) Must Include: Must Include: Detailed Description of the foreign made equipment Detailed Description of the foreign made equipment Unit of measureUnit of measure Quantity requiredQuantity required Price per unit or total cost of the equipmentPrice per unit or total cost of the equipment Time of delivery when needed at the construction siteTime of delivery when needed at the construction site Name, address, and contact information for the manufacturerName, address, and contact information for the manufacturer
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BA Waiver Request (cont.) Justification for the use of the foreign good Justification for the use of the foreign good Provide Assessment of Domestic alternatives and why they do not meet the proposed project specifications Provide Assessment of Domestic alternatives and why they do not meet the proposed project specifications Assessment includes providing written documentation that you looked at domestic companies to buy from and either couldnt find any or couldnt find any that would be able to meet the project design specifications Assessment includes providing written documentation that you looked at domestic companies to buy from and either couldnt find any or couldnt find any that would be able to meet the project design specifications
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BA waiver Request (cont.) Provide written documentation from domestic manufacturer(s) that its product cannot meet the applicants project specs or written documentation detailing the level of effort conducted by the applicant to seek a domestic supplier Provide written documentation from domestic manufacturer(s) that its product cannot meet the applicants project specs or written documentation detailing the level of effort conducted by the applicant to seek a domestic supplier Provide specs from domestic supplier(s) demonstrating exactly how it (they) do not meet project specs Provide specs from domestic supplier(s) demonstrating exactly how it (they) do not meet project specs
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Waiver Request (cont.) Submit design and technical specifications and requirements involved with the foreign made good(s) Submit design and technical specifications and requirements involved with the foreign made good(s) Provide detailed drawings, if available Provide detailed drawings, if available If there was any pre-bid selection committee or any other type of process that came up with a list of critical specs or criteria for the product, it should be detailed in the request package If there was any pre-bid selection committee or any other type of process that came up with a list of critical specs or criteria for the product, it should be detailed in the request package
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Waiver Request (cont.) If the waiver is being requested after construction has initiated you need to include a justification as to why it is being requested now and not earlier If the waiver is being requested after construction has initiated you need to include a justification as to why it is being requested now and not earlier Provide written documentation that the Buy American provision was included in the bid documents, and if it was not, an explanation as to why not Provide written documentation that the Buy American provision was included in the bid documents, and if it was not, an explanation as to why not
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BA Waiver Request (cont.) Ensure the project design specifications do not unnecessarily preclude US produced iron, steel, or manufactured goods (I/S/MG) Ensure the project design specifications do not unnecessarily preclude US produced iron, steel, or manufactured goods (I/S/MG) Waivers should be requested: Waivers should be requested: Prior to or after preparation of bid solicitation Prior to or after preparation of bid solicitation After bids are received and contractors or suppliers document that I/S/MG are not produced in sufficient quantities or adequate quality domestically After bids are received and contractors or suppliers document that I/S/MG are not produced in sufficient quantities or adequate quality domestically
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Approved Region 1 Waivers
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Auburn, ME - spring loaded manhole covers and frames made in Canada Auburn, ME - spring loaded manhole covers and frames made in Canada Franklin, NH – air-bearing turbo aeration blowers made in South Korea Franklin, NH – air-bearing turbo aeration blowers made in South Korea Hooksett, NH – biofilm polyethylene chip carrier elements made in Germany Hooksett, NH – biofilm polyethylene chip carrier elements made in Germany Lewiston, ME – constant flow regulator made in Germany Lewiston, ME – constant flow regulator made in Germany Four schools in VT – UV disinfection systems made in Canada Four schools in VT – UV disinfection systems made in Canada
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Plymouth, NH – sludge dewatering equipment made in Canada Plymouth, NH – sludge dewatering equipment made in Canada Kennebec, ME – cast iron valve boxes made in Canada Kennebec, ME – cast iron valve boxes made in Canada Newburyport, MA – sludge dewatering equipment made in Canada Newburyport, MA – sludge dewatering equipment made in Canada
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Pending Waiver Requests
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MWRA – hydroelectric generator MWRA – hydroelectric generator North Conway, NH – high efficiency boilers made in Germany North Conway, NH – high efficiency boilers made in Germany Troy, VT – valves and actuators for packaged water treatment system made in Canada Troy, VT – valves and actuators for packaged water treatment system made in Canada Old Town, ME – pressure filter media made in Brazil Old Town, ME – pressure filter media made in Brazil Gloucester, MA – sludge dewatering equipment made in Canada Gloucester, MA – sludge dewatering equipment made in Canada MWRA – wind turbine MWRA – wind turbine
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Withdrawn/Denied Waiver Requests
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South Burlington, VT – hyperbolic mixer equipment made in Germany South Burlington, VT – hyperbolic mixer equipment made in Germany South Burlington, VT – UV disinfection equipment made in Canada South Burlington, VT – UV disinfection equipment made in Canada Rochester, NH – catch basin grates made in Great Britain (planning to use domestic) Rochester, NH – catch basin grates made in Great Britain (planning to use domestic) Barre, VT – packaged heat recovery ventilation units made in Canada (planning to use domestic) Barre, VT – packaged heat recovery ventilation units made in Canada (planning to use domestic) Lowell, MA – VFD drives made in Taiwan (covered under de minimis) Lowell, MA – VFD drives made in Taiwan (covered under de minimis)
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Durham, NH – air bearing turbo aeration blowers (pursuing substantial transformation angle) Durham, NH – air bearing turbo aeration blowers (pursuing substantial transformation angle) Putnam, CT – AC wall units and drive shoes for test wells (de minimis) Putnam, CT – AC wall units and drive shoes for test wells (de minimis) Troy, VT – insulated concrete forms (de minimis) Troy, VT – insulated concrete forms (de minimis) Chatham, MA – submersible mixer wall recycle pump (domestic alternative available has been identified) Chatham, MA – submersible mixer wall recycle pump (domestic alternative available has been identified)
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Substantial Transformation EPA HQ released ST guidance on October 22, 2009 EPA HQ released ST guidance on October 22, 2009 Roles and Responsibilities Roles and Responsibilities Concerns for States and EPA Concerns for States and EPA Basic Principles of ST Analysis Basic Principles of ST Analysis Analysis to determine whether ST occurred in the U.S. Analysis to determine whether ST occurred in the U.S. When ST can occur on-site When ST can occur on-site http://www.epa.gov/water/eparecovery/docs/10_23_0 9_Substantial_Transformation_memo_Final.pdf http://www.epa.gov/water/eparecovery/docs/10_23_0 9_Substantial_Transformation_memo_Final.pdf
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Substantial Transformation EPA does not approve/deny claims of substantial transformation; it is the responsibility of the assistance recipient to prove it occurs in the US EPA does not approve/deny claims of substantial transformation; it is the responsibility of the assistance recipient to prove it occurs in the US Assistance recipient may address a list of three questions…need to answer Yes to at least one of following questions to have substantial transformation apply Assistance recipient may address a list of three questions…need to answer Yes to at least one of following questions to have substantial transformation apply
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Substantial Transformation 1. Were all of the components of the manufactured good in the United States, and were all of the components assembled into the final product in the US? (If the answer is yes, then this is clearly manufactured in the US, and the inquiry is complete) 1. Were all of the components of the manufactured good in the United States, and were all of the components assembled into the final product in the US? (If the answer is yes, then this is clearly manufactured in the US, and the inquiry is complete)
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Substantial Transformation 2. Was there a change or use of the good or the components in America? (These questions apply to the product as a whole, not to individual components…need to answer Yes to one of the following questions ) 2. Was there a change or use of the good or the components in America? (These questions apply to the product as a whole, not to individual components…need to answer Yes to one of the following questions ) Was there a change in the physical and/or chemical properties or characteristics designed to alter the functionality of the good? Was there a change in the physical and/or chemical properties or characteristics designed to alter the functionality of the good? Did the manufacturing or processing operation result in a change of a product(s) with one use into a product with a different use? Did the manufacturing or processing operation result in a change of a product(s) with one use into a product with a different use? Did the manufacturing or processing operation result in the narrowing of the range of possible uses of a multi-use product? Did the manufacturing or processing operation result in the narrowing of the range of possible uses of a multi-use product?
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Substantial Transformation 3. Was the process performed in the US (including but not limited to assembly) complex and meaningful? (need to answer Yes to two of the following questions) 3. Was the process performed in the US (including but not limited to assembly) complex and meaningful? (need to answer Yes to two of the following questions) Did the process take a substantial amount of time? Did the process take a substantial amount of time? Was the process costly? Was the process costly? Did the process require a particular high level of skills? Did the process require a particular high level of skills? Did the process require a number of different operations? Did the process require a number of different operations? Was substantial value added in the process? Was substantial value added in the process?
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Questions and Discussion
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