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𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gWahrdRY ⚠️ Government Audit Identifies Buy American Act (BAA) Violations in LED Products 🔍 Inspector General discovers widespread use of Asian LED products at various military installations 1️⃣ One of the more intriguing findings involved LED products installed at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas. The audit team observed that two of the four LED product models examined were marked "Made in China," while the other two contained components with the same marking. These products, supplied by manufacturers Current and SLG Lighting, included models such as the 12ET8 LED lamps and ABV Albeo LED high bays from Current, and ALC series area lights from SLG Lighting. 2️⃣ At Fort Meade in Maryland, the situation was equally concerning. Of the 12 LED product models examined from manufacturer Invictus Lighting, eight contained internal components (drivers) marked "Made in China." These included models the IAT24 and IAB4N LED driver series among others. 3️⃣ The Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia, also had issues with BAA compliance. Four LED product models from manufacturer Patriot Lighting were found to contain components marked "Made in China." These included various PT-CDL10 models. 4️⃣ A project at The Pentagon revealed that six of twelve LED product models contained components marked “Mexico” or “Made in Taiwan.” The remaining six of twelve LED product models contained no country of origin markings. In addition, manufacturer documentation for the 12 LED product models from the contract file stated the products were BAA or TAA compliant. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Follow Inside Lighting and hit the 🔔 on our profile for more updates like this. #lighting #lightingdesign #commerciallighting #led #ledlighting

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Kristen (Burk) McColey M. S., B. S.

My personal motto is that if your company needs customers to exist then every single person in your company is in customer service. That should shine through with every single interaction you have.

3mo

So I’ve actually done a lot of AFBs in Texas and can personally say that the particular contractors I have worked with have been amazing at doing their due diligence. These projects take twice as long to go through the submittal process because of the BAA requirements, but the ECs I’ve been involved with have made sure every single step of the way was done properly. Thankfully none of the AFBs I’ve done are on this list! I do get requests frequently to provide VE options for these kinds of projects. BAA is more expensive. People want to cut costs. Projects go out of budget. Thankful for the customers I’ve worked with so this hasnt been an issue!

Ken Lewis

Specification Sales of Architectural Lighting and Controls.

3mo

For BABA you can apply for a waiver if no product meets the requirement. This helps the process until more MFG's can meet it. BAA should be a cake walk as in the overwheming product classes a number of MFG's would meet it. The goal is to bring the supply chain back to North America and in some case USA. Someone should get the message to the Companies still expanding in China. The big S brand comes to mind.

Francis Wheeler

Seasoned executive with extensive M&A and P&L experience.

2mo

Any manufacturer who produces a false Buy American certificate should be held responsible. No other parties involved in any project should be held responsible for their falsehood.

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Tony Scolaro

President - Startek Lighting America - Made in USA

3mo

StarTek, made in Chicago area from over 85% US made components exceeds all BABA requirements and beyond! Millions done with military already.

Gary Fogarty, CLEP, CWEP

Lighting Project Development Manager - Trane Technologies

3mo

As I see the issue with some of this, the FAR allows the use of TAA product on DoD sites without waivers once a set contractual value is reached. If that value is not met, TAA product can still be utilized if a waiver was submitted and approved. Did the review of those products include investigation if a waiver was applied for?

Dan Rodriguez, Sr.

CED Automotive Dealership Solutions - Lighting > Controls > Electrical

3mo

What happens now? Fines? Removal of product? Both?

Daniel Henderson, MBA, LC

Technology & Energy Efficiency Entrepreneur

3mo

I wish I could say that I am surprised. Unfortunately, the "rules" to win these government projects just cause good companies to not have an opportunity to compete.

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Joel Ludwig

National Accounts - Project Manager at Facility Solutions Group

3mo

I'm with Kristen. I have also done a few AFBs and was very happy not to see any of my projects on this list. It all starts with the Submittal process. It can be tedious at times, but done correctly, this process will catch any non-compliant products. It's all about the details and planning!

Konner Kappelman

Girl Dad that Sells, Made in the USA!

3mo

G&G Industrial Lighting has your BAA back.

André Lucero, LC, IES, Trade RDI

Scaled Lighting Solutions Global • National • Regional • Corporate Retail • Hospitality • Workplace • Healthcare • Supermarket • Automotive • QSR • Restaurant • Multi-Use • Multi-Resident • Senior Living • Education

3mo

Shame! There are great American lighting products being made today, but cheaters are going to cheat. Interested to hear an answer to Dan Rodriguez, Sr.’s questions.

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