New York state Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new proposal that would implement the nation’s strongest mandate for the purchase of American-made products by state entities. Under the Governor’s “Buy American” plan, all state entities will be required to give preference to American-made goods and products in any new procurements more than $100,000.

To qualify as “American-made” under Governor Cuomo’s proposal, end manufacturing processes should take place in the United States and more than sixty percent of the components of the manufactured good should be of domestic origin. Exceptions to this requirement include:

  • If the specified goods or products are not manufactured or produced in the United States in the quantities required by the state entity or cannot be manufactured or produced in the United States within the entity’s specific timeframe;
  • If obtaining American-made products would significantly increase the cost of the contract; and
  • If the best interests of the state would be served by exempting the procurement from the preference based upon:
    • an immediate or emergency need existing for the item or service; or
    • a need to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the public

Download press release from Governor Cuomo’s office HERE.