OMB "Buy America" Guidance Must Recognize Globally-Sourced Marketplace, Be Small-Biz Friendly

The following statement, on WISPA's Comments to the OMB regarding its Build America, Buy America Guidance to Federal Agencies, may be attributed to Louis Peraertz, VP of Policy for WISPA – Broadband Without Boundaries 
 
Washington, DC, March 13, 2023 – Strict application of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) statutory provisions would undermine the broadband deployment goals of the IIJA. Though BABA is indeed laudable, WISPA remains concerned that rigid product and materials definitions, among other aspects, would adversely affect small, community-based ISPs and their ability to secure timely BEAD funding and meet their deployment obligations.  Guidance should be grounded in the realities of the complex, globally-sourced marketplace.  And it must be small-business friendly.  To this end, WISPA commends OMB for proposing general applicability public interest waivers for “small grants.”  This proposal alone will bring more solutions to the table, boosting the odds of success for BEAD and the unserved communities served with this funding.

A copy of the filing can be seen here.
 
About WISPA – Broadband Without Boundaries
WISPA’s approximately 1000 members provide fixed broadband connectivity, and include equipment suppliers, support services, and other industry partners and stakeholders. Our members provide broadband access to millions of residential and business customers in rural, urban, and Tribal areas across America.
 
Contact
Mike Wendy
WISPA
202-763-5257
mwendy@wispa.org