SIA successfully petitioned the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to include IP cameras in its “microprocessor/microcomputer” waiver for certain IT equipment under its “Buy America” requirements.
Under FTA’s “Buy America” program, which has been in existence since the early 80s, manufactured products in transit projects that utilize FTA funding were required to meet certain American-made stipulations. Jake Parker, SIA director of government relations, explained that according to the requirement, “all manufactured products and the components of those products must be made in the U.S. unless they have a waiver, of which there are very few.”