Altamonte Springs has inaugurated the first Florida-based Center of Excellence (COE) dedicated to helping international businesses meet the requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act. This initiative supports companies seeking to participate in federally funded infrastructure projects by ensuring they comply with strict domestic content rules.
The Act mandates that iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in such projects must be produced within the United States. Noncompliance risks disqualification from lucrative federal contracts. The center provides expertise to help businesses navigate these complex regulations and gain entry into some of the largest procurement markets worldwide.
The COE operates through a partnership with TSG Transportation Advisors, a division of The Southern Group, which manages the center under a monthly contract. This collaboration integrates federal procurement guidance, Buy America compliance consulting, workforce development, and access to a “living government laboratory” at the Altamonte Global Innovation Lab—a hub that fosters innovation and economic growth.
Altamonte Springs, a city positioned just north of Orlando, aims to bolster its business-friendly and innovative reputation through this center. It collaborates across several local governments and institutions, including Seminole County, Orlando Sanford International Airport, Seminole State College, and neighboring cities from Orange County. Such cooperation strengthens the regional ecosystem supporting companies developing advanced air mobility technologies, autonomous vehicles, and other cutting-edge fields.
According to city officials, many companies—both domestic and foreign—lack the specialized knowledge required to comply with the Act’s requirements on their own. The COE serves as a critical resource, simplifying compliance to help these firms qualify for federal funding and contracts. This support is especially significant in light of recent federal declarations emphasizing strict enforcement of Buy America standards, reducing flexibility for waivers.
The Innovation Lab, housing the COE, stands as a model of effective public-private partnership, bringing diverse government entities and private sector experts together. By providing comprehensive advisory services under one roof, it transforms a challenging regulatory environment into an economic opportunity for businesses that can adapt and thrive within the framework of Build America, Buy America.