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Request

Action: Notice, request for comments.

Web posting date:: 03/31/2008

Federal Register Notice of Finding Publication Date: N/A

Effective Date of Federal Register: N/A

Close of public comment period: N/A

Summary: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking comments on whether a waiver of the Buy America requirements of 23 CFR 635.410 should be granted to permit the use of non-domestic Stainless-clad reinforcement bars #5 & #6 (95,266 lbs) in the state of Michigan.

FHWA will only consider a Buy America waiver when the conditions of 23 CFR 635.410( c) have been met: (1) when the application of the provision would be inconsistent with the public interest; or (2) when steel and iron products are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities, which are of a satisfactory quality.

The FHWA will consider all comments received in the initial 15-day comment period during our evaluation of the waiver request. Comments received after this period, but before notice of our finding is published in the Federal Register, will be considered to the extent practical. Follow-up coordination on the comments received may result in a delay in the publication of our waiver finding in the Federal Register. Comments received during the 15-day comment period after notice of our finding is published in the Federal Register will be reviewed, but the finding will continue to remain valid. Comments received during the comment period after the effective date of the finding will be reviewed, and may influence the FHWA's decision to terminate or modify a finding.

Decision:

Approval of Buy America Waiver Stainless-Clad Reinforcement, I-94 over the Galien River

Comments

Raymond Schnell 04/08/2008
My company, Talley Metals, produces solid stainless steel rebar, in the sizes noted, in this request for waiver. My question is, why would our product not be included in this research product, prior to granting a waiver, to allow a non-domestic company to participate? Sincerely Raymond Schnell Technical Specialist Talley Metals
steven kahl 04/10/2008
We are already specifying solid stainless reinforcement in this project, due to the unavailability of clad reinforcement in the #3 and #4 sizes. The clad product has the potential advantage of solid ss performance, but with a lower cost premium. Therefore the experimental portion of the project is to use ss clad reinforcement, and there are no domestic suppliers at this time.
Wes Miller 04/11/2008
Gerdau Ameristeel ZBAR division requests consideration for using ZBAR for this project. ZBAR provides high performance corrosion protection at a competitive cost. It is produced in Knoxville TN. Sincerely, Wes Miller Division Manager ZBAR www.zbarusa.com
Raymond Schnell 04/15/2008
Standard solid stainless steel rebar products, such as 2205 and 316LN, may have higher costs, however, Talley Metals manufactures a grade called EnduraMet 32 (UNS24100). This grade has significantly lower Nickel and Molybdenum contents but contains 11% Mn. The high addition of Mn, which replaces the Nickel contained in grade 316 LN, provides excellent corrosion resistance. In recent testing, this grade has shown comparable corrosion resistance, strength and durability, to 316LN and as such, it is very cost competitive, and in fact, it is less expensive, than the stainless clad product. The product is weldable, with no worry of cracked or spalled cladding, and no worry of flaking during fabrication. It does not require end caps, such as with the stainless clad product, and it is readily available, in significant quantities. Life cycle charts indicate that this product, EnduraMet 32, has a life expectancy of 100+ years.

Events

Contact

Edwin Okonkwo
Office of Program Administration
202-366-1558
E-mail Edwin

 
 
This page last modified on 07/24/08
 

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