81_FR_15464 81 FR 15409 - Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Ductless Mini-Split System Air Conditioning Systems

81 FR 15409 - Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Ductless Mini-Split System Air Conditioning Systems

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 55 (March 22, 2016)

Page Range15409-15410
FR Document2016-06416

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received requests from the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IPTC) for a Buy America non-availability waiver for the procurement of an Enviroair inverter-driven ductless mini-split system air conditioner, from the York Adams Transportation Authority (YATA) for ductless split system air conditioning units, from Key West Transit (KWT) for a ductless mini-split mechanical system for the City of Key West Public Transportation Facility, and from the Springfield Redevelopment Authority (SRA) for ductless mini-split air conditioners for the Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. IPTC is constructing its Downtown Transit Center which is expected to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified and will incorporate many sustainable and energy efficient elements. The Enviroair inverter-driven ductless mini-split system air conditioner will contribute to the building's efficiency and is essential to achieving silver LEED certification. YATA is currently constructing a new Operations and Maintenance Facility in York, Pennsylvania and seeks to install several ductless air conditioning units at the facility. KWT is finishing construction on the bus transit operation and maintenance facility, which is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED project. The building contains many sustainable and efficient elements, including a variant refrigerant flow (VRF) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. KWT seeks a waiver for this VRF ductless mini-split mechanical system because there is no domestic manufacturer. The SRA seeks a waiver for ductless mini-split air conditioners as part of the renovation of the existing Terminal Building and the construction of a six story garage at the Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, because there is no domestic manufacturer. IPIC, YATA, KWT, and SRA seek waivers for these air conditioner systems because there are no domestic manufacturers. 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2) and 49 CFR 661.7(c)(2). In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA is providing notice of the non-availability waiver requests and seeks public comment before deciding whether to grant the requests. If granted, the waivers would apply to one-time procurements only for the specific air conditioning systems identified in the waiver request.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15409-15410]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06416]



[[Page 15409]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Docket No. FTA-2016-0004]


Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Ductless Mini-Split 
System Air Conditioning Systems

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Buy America waiver and request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received requests 
from the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IPTC) for a 
Buy America non-availability waiver for the procurement of an Enviroair 
inverter-driven ductless mini-split system air conditioner, from the 
York Adams Transportation Authority (YATA) for ductless split system 
air conditioning units, from Key West Transit (KWT) for a ductless 
mini-split mechanical system for the City of Key West Public 
Transportation Facility, and from the Springfield Redevelopment 
Authority (SRA) for ductless mini-split air conditioners for the Union 
Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center in Springfield, 
Massachusetts. IPTC is constructing its Downtown Transit Center which 
is expected to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 
certified and will incorporate many sustainable and energy efficient 
elements. The Enviroair inverter-driven ductless mini-split system air 
conditioner will contribute to the building's efficiency and is 
essential to achieving silver LEED certification. YATA is currently 
constructing a new Operations and Maintenance Facility in York, 
Pennsylvania and seeks to install several ductless air conditioning 
units at the facility. KWT is finishing construction on the bus transit 
operation and maintenance facility, which is a U.S. Green Building 
Council LEED project. The building contains many sustainable and 
efficient elements, including a variant refrigerant flow (VRF) heating, 
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. KWT seeks a waiver for 
this VRF ductless mini-split mechanical system because there is no 
domestic manufacturer. The SRA seeks a waiver for ductless mini-split 
air conditioners as part of the renovation of the existing Terminal 
Building and the construction of a six story garage at the Union 
Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, because there is no 
domestic manufacturer. IPIC, YATA, KWT, and SRA seek waivers for these 
air conditioner systems because there are no domestic manufacturers. 49 
U.S.C. 5323(j)(2) and 49 CFR 661.7(c)(2). In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 
5323(j)(3)(A), FTA is providing notice of the non-availability waiver 
requests and seeks public comment before deciding whether to grant the 
requests. If granted, the waivers would apply to one-time procurements 
only for the specific air conditioning systems identified in the waiver 
request.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 29, 2016. Late-filed comments 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Please submit your comments by one of the following means, 
identifying your submissions by docket number FTA-2016-0004:
    1. Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions 
for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site.
    2. Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: All submissions must make reference to the ``Federal 
Transit Administration'' and include docket number FTA-2016-0004. Due 
to the security procedures in effect since October 2011, mail received 
through the U.S. Postal Service may be subject to delays. Parties 
making submissions responsive to this notice should consider using an 
express mail firm to ensure the prompt filing of any submissions not 
filed electronically or by hand. Note that all submissions received, 
including any personal information therein, will be posted without 
change or alteration to http://www.regulations.gov. For more 
information, you may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may 
visit http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Ames, FTA Attorney-Advisor, at 
(202) 366-2743 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to provide 
notice and seek public comment on whether the FTA should grant non-
availability waivers to the Indianapolis Public Transportation 
Corporation (IPTC) for the procurement of an Enviroair inverter-driven 
ductless mini-split system air conditioner, to the York Adams 
Transportation Authority (YATA) for the procurement of ductless split 
system air conditioning units which are needed at the new Operations 
and Maintenance Facility, to Key West Transit (KWT) for the procurement 
of a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) ductless mini-split mechanical 
system, and to the Springfield Redevelopment Authority (SRA) in 
Springfield, Massachusetts for the procurement of nine ductless mini-
split air conditioners for the Union Station Regional Intermodal 
Transportation Center. IPTC, YATA, KWT, and SRA requested Buy America 
non-availability waivers on May 5, 2015, July 26, 2015, December 2, 
2015, and on March 9, 2016, respectfully. All seek non-availability 
waivers since none of these air conditioning systems are produced in 
the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities or 
of satisfactory qualities. 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2)(A); 49 CFR 661.7(c).
    By way of background, IPTC is constructing its Downtown Transit 
Center and the contractor and subcontractor hired for the project, 
Weddle Bros. Building Group, LLC and Commercial Air Inc., previously 
certified Buy America compliance. After awarding the contract, 
Commercial Air became aware that the inverter-driven ductless mini 
split system air conditioner selected for the center, was non-
compliant. Enviroair manufactures this air conditioning system in 
China, although certain equipment is stocked and shipped from Utica, 
New York. IPTC selected the Enviroair system, which will be installed 
in the transit center's information technology room, because it will 
keep the room constantly cool and is the only way to cool the room in 
the space provided. IPTC also hopes to receive Silver LEED 
certification for the transit center and the Enviroair system is 
critical for achieving this certification. IPTC identified six other 
ductless mini-split air condition system manufacturers, all of which 
are manufactured abroad.
    YATA seeks to install multiple ductless split system air 
conditioning units in its Operations and Maintenance Facility. These 
units will regulate environmental conditions in areas with specific 
temperature and/or humidity requirements, such as in server rooms or 
elevator machine rooms, or in rooms where conventional ductwork is not 
possible. YATA's successful bidder certified Buy America compliance, 
although later learned that the units

[[Page 15410]]

from ECR international-EMI-USA of Utica, New York, are in fact 
manufactured abroad. YATA identified one ductless split system unit 
that is manufactured in the U.S. by Modine, however, this unit has a 
larger capacity than YATA's project requirements for the Operations and 
Maintenance Facility. Use of this unit would result in constant 
compressor cycling and a limited lifespan. Moreover, YATA states that 
it cannot use a standard split system unit as an alternative to the 
ductless split system, because a standard system is incapable of 
treating ventilation air and the required ductwork cannot be installed 
in locations that need environmental control. Therefore, no domestic 
manufacturer exists that would satisfy YATA's project needs.
    KWT is completing construction of its City of Key West Public 
Transportation Facility, which is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED 
project and includes many sustainable and efficient elements, including 
that of the HVAC system. The project consists of an 18,300 square foot 
bus operations and maintenance building, a 2,100 square foot bus wash 
building, fueling station, and parking facilities. The facility will 
serve as the City's transportation operations center and will provide 
maintenance, repair, cleaning, and bus parking facilities. The front 
portion of the main building includes offices for administration and 
operations, while the rear portion provides space for bus maintenance, 
repairs and cleaning, parts storage and technician amenities.
    According to KWT's waiver request, the HVAC system is Buy America-
compliant, with the exception of the VRF mechanical system which will 
be placed in three of the electrical, mechanical, and server rooms in 
the new facility. KWT states that these rooms must be able to function 
separately from the main operations building. KWT also is building this 
facility to be LEED silver certified and the energy-efficient VRF 
system will help KWT attain this certification. The VRF system sought 
will also better accommodate spatial constraints since the new facility 
is surrounded by a landfill, school bus parking lot, and other 
construction projects. It is also located in a highly-trafficked area, 
which limits the footprint of the project. Unlike other HVAC systems, 
the ductless mini-split system will be able to fit into the available 
space.
    KWT is installing a Carrier ductless mini-split system in the 
facility. Before selecting this system, KWT conducted extensive 
research and reached out to domestic manufacturers, however, KWT was 
unable to find a domestically manufactured mini split air conditioning 
system. In fact, KWT states that it contacted the remaining America 
manufacturer of VRF HVAC systems and this manufacturer ceased 
production two years ago. As a result, KWT procured the Carrier 
ductless mini-split air conditioning equipment for the facility as no 
domestic manufacturer was available.
    SRA is constructing the Union Station Regional Intermodal 
Transportation Center, which includes renovation of the existing 
Terminal Building and the construction of a six story parking garage. 
SRA is seeking to procure nine ductless mini-split air conditioners for 
the construction project. Each building within the transportation 
center will have its own HVAC system. SRA states that it is necessary 
to install ductless mini-split air conditioners in each individual room 
in order to maintain environs in each room. The air conditioners will 
be independent of other heating and cooling systems and will be backed 
up by a generator. Initially, SRA's contractor thought that Trane's 
product was Buy America-compliant. Subsequently, however, Trane 
notified SRA that its product was mislabeled and is actually foreign-
made. SRA also contacted 8 other companies who manufacture ductless 
mini-split air conditioners, although none of these companies 
manufacturer the product domestically. As a result, SRA is seeking a 
non-availability waiver for the ductless mini-split air conditioners as 
there is no domestic manufacturer.
    FTA also conducted a scouting search for ductless air conditioning 
systems through its Interagency Agreement with the U.S. Department of 
Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The 
scouting search identified two domestic manufacturers as potential 
matches for this opportunity: Kentuckiana Curb Company/KCC 
International in Louisville, Kentucky and Climate Conditioning Company, 
Inc./Liebert also in Louisville, Kentucky. The manufacturers identified 
either produce similar products to the ductless air conditioning 
systems, possess the capabilities to produce ductless air conditioning 
systems, have produced an item similar to ductless air conditioning 
systems in the past, or have expressed a business interest in producing 
ductless air conditioning systems. Upon request from FTA, IPTC and YATA 
reached out to these potential domestic suppliers. However, neither 
company manufactures the specific mini-split air conditioning systems 
sought and as described in this Notice. As such, IPTC and YATA are 
pursuing their non-availability waiver applications. FTA did not reach 
out to KWT or SRA as they submitted their waiver requests after 
scouting was complete.
    With certain exceptions, FTA's Buy America requirements prevent FTA 
from obligating an amount that may be appropriated to carry out its 
program for a project unless ``the steel, iron, and manufactured goods 
used in the project are produced in the United States.'' 49 U.S.C. 
5323(j)(1). A manufactured product is considered produced in the United 
States if: (1) All of the manufacturing processes for the product take 
place in the United States; and (2) all of the components of the 
product are of U.S. origin. A component is considered of U.S. origin if 
it is manufactured in the United States, regardless of the origin of 
its subcomponents. 49 CFR 661.5(d). If, however, FTA determines that 
``the steel, iron, and goods produced in the United States are not 
produced in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or are not of 
a satisfactory quality,'' then FTA may issue a waiver (non-availability 
waiver). 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2)(B); 49 CFR 661.7(c).
    The purpose of this Notice is to publish IPTC's, YATA's, KWT's, and 
SRA's requests and to seek public comment from all interested parties 
in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A). Comments will help FTA 
understand completely the facts surrounding the requests, including the 
merits of the requests. A full copy of the request has been placed in 
docket number FTA-2016-0004.

    Issued on March 16, 2016.
Dana Nifosi,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2016-06416 Filed 3-21-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P



                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2016 / Notices                                           15409

                                                    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            conditioner systems because there are                 Public Transportation Corporation
                                                                                                            no domestic manufacturers. 49 U.S.C.                  (IPTC) for the procurement of an
                                                    Federal Transit Administration                          5323(j)(2) and 49 CFR 661.7(c)(2). In                 Enviroair inverter-driven ductless mini-
                                                    [Docket No. FTA–2016–0004]                              accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A),              split system air conditioner, to the York
                                                                                                            FTA is providing notice of the non-                   Adams Transportation Authority
                                                    Notice of Proposed Buy America                          availability waiver requests and seeks                (YATA) for the procurement of ductless
                                                    Waiver for Ductless Mini-Split System                   public comment before deciding                        split system air conditioning units
                                                    Air Conditioning Systems                                whether to grant the requests. If granted,            which are needed at the new Operations
                                                                                                            the waivers would apply to one-time                   and Maintenance Facility, to Key West
                                                    AGENCY:    Federal Transit Administration,              procurements only for the specific air                Transit (KWT) for the procurement of a
                                                    DOT.                                                    conditioning systems identified in the                variable refrigerant flow (VRF) ductless
                                                    ACTION: Notice of Proposed Buy America                  waiver request.                                       mini-split mechanical system, and to
                                                    waiver and request for comment.                         DATES: Comments must be received by                   the Springfield Redevelopment
                                                                                                            March 29, 2016. Late-filed comments                   Authority (SRA) in Springfield,
                                                    SUMMARY:    The Federal Transit
                                                                                                            will be considered to the extent                      Massachusetts for the procurement of
                                                    Administration (FTA) received requests
                                                                                                            practicable.                                          nine ductless mini-split air conditioners
                                                    from the Indianapolis Public
                                                                                                                                                                  for the Union Station Regional
                                                    Transportation Corporation (IPTC) for a                 ADDRESSES: Please submit your
                                                                                                                                                                  Intermodal Transportation Center. IPTC,
                                                    Buy America non-availability waiver for                 comments by one of the following
                                                                                                                                                                  YATA, KWT, and SRA requested Buy
                                                    the procurement of an Enviroair                         means, identifying your submissions by                America non-availability waivers on
                                                    inverter-driven ductless mini-split                     docket number FTA–2016–0004:                          May 5, 2015, July 26, 2015, December 2,
                                                    system air conditioner, from the York                     1. Web site: http://
                                                                                                                                                                  2015, and on March 9, 2016,
                                                    Adams Transportation Authority                          www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                                                                                                                                  respectfully. All seek non-availability
                                                    (YATA) for ductless split system air                    instructions for submitting comments
                                                                                                                                                                  waivers since none of these air
                                                    conditioning units, from Key West                       on the U.S. Government electronic
                                                                                                                                                                  conditioning systems are produced in
                                                    Transit (KWT) for a ductless mini-split                 docket site.
                                                                                                              2. Fax: (202) 493–2251.                             the United States in sufficient and
                                                    mechanical system for the City of Key
                                                                                                              3. Mail: U.S. Department of                         reasonably available quantities or of
                                                    West Public Transportation Facility, and
                                                                                                            Transportation, 1200 New Jersey                       satisfactory qualities. 49 U.S.C.
                                                    from the Springfield Redevelopment
                                                                                                            Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M–30,                  5323(j)(2)(A); 49 CFR 661.7(c).
                                                    Authority (SRA) for ductless mini-split                                                                          By way of background, IPTC is
                                                    air conditioners for the Union Station                  West Building, Ground Floor, Room
                                                                                                                                                                  constructing its Downtown Transit
                                                    Regional Intermodal Transportation                      W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001.
                                                                                                              4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of                Center and the contractor and
                                                    Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.                                                                         subcontractor hired for the project,
                                                    IPTC is constructing its Downtown                       Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
                                                                                                            Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M–30,                  Weddle Bros. Building Group, LLC and
                                                    Transit Center which is expected to be                                                                        Commercial Air Inc., previously
                                                    Leadership in Energy and                                West Building, Ground Floor, Room
                                                                                                                                                                  certified Buy America compliance. After
                                                    Environmental Design (LEED) certified                   W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001
                                                                                                                                                                  awarding the contract, Commercial Air
                                                    and will incorporate many sustainable                   between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                                                                                                                                  became aware that the inverter-driven
                                                    and energy efficient elements. The                      through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                                                                              Instructions: All submissions must                  ductless mini split system air
                                                    Enviroair inverter-driven ductless mini-                                                                      conditioner selected for the center, was
                                                    split system air conditioner will                       make reference to the ‘‘Federal Transit
                                                                                                            Administration’’ and include docket                   non-compliant. Enviroair manufactures
                                                    contribute to the building’s efficiency                                                                       this air conditioning system in China,
                                                    and is essential to achieving silver LEED               number FTA–2016–0004. Due to the
                                                                                                            security procedures in effect since                   although certain equipment is stocked
                                                    certification. YATA is currently                                                                              and shipped from Utica, New York.
                                                    constructing a new Operations and                       October 2011, mail received through the
                                                                                                                                                                  IPTC selected the Enviroair system,
                                                    Maintenance Facility in York,                           U.S. Postal Service may be subject to
                                                                                                                                                                  which will be installed in the transit
                                                    Pennsylvania and seeks to install                       delays. Parties making submissions
                                                                                                                                                                  center’s information technology room,
                                                    several ductless air conditioning units at              responsive to this notice should
                                                                                                                                                                  because it will keep the room constantly
                                                    the facility. KWT is finishing                          consider using an express mail firm to
                                                                                                                                                                  cool and is the only way to cool the
                                                    construction on the bus transit                         ensure the prompt filing of any
                                                                                                                                                                  room in the space provided. IPTC also
                                                    operation and maintenance facility,                     submissions not filed electronically or
                                                                                                                                                                  hopes to receive Silver LEED
                                                    which is a U.S. Green Building Council                  by hand. Note that all submissions
                                                                                                                                                                  certification for the transit center and
                                                    LEED project. The building contains                     received, including any personal
                                                                                                                                                                  the Enviroair system is critical for
                                                    many sustainable and efficient                          information therein, will be posted                   achieving this certification. IPTC
                                                    elements, including a variant refrigerant               without change or alteration to http://               identified six other ductless mini-split
                                                    flow (VRF) heating, ventilation, and air                www.regulations.gov. For more                         air condition system manufacturers, all
                                                    conditioning (HVAC) system. KWT                         information, you may review DOT’s                     of which are manufactured abroad.
                                                    seeks a waiver for this VRF ductless                    complete Privacy Act Statement in the                    YATA seeks to install multiple
                                                    mini-split mechanical system because                    Federal Register published April 11,                  ductless split system air conditioning
                                                    there is no domestic manufacturer. The                  2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit                  units in its Operations and Maintenance
                                                    SRA seeks a waiver for ductless mini-                   http://www.regulations.gov.                           Facility. These units will regulate
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    split air conditioners as part of the                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      environmental conditions in areas with
                                                    renovation of the existing Terminal                     Laura Ames, FTA Attorney-Advisor, at                  specific temperature and/or humidity
                                                    Building and the construction of a six                  (202) 366–2743 or Laura.Ames@dot.gov.                 requirements, such as in server rooms or
                                                    story garage at the Union Station                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The                        elevator machine rooms, or in rooms
                                                    Regional Intermodal Transportation                      purpose of this notice is to provide                  where conventional ductwork is not
                                                    Center, because there is no domestic                    notice and seek public comment on                     possible. YATA’s successful bidder
                                                    manufacturer. IPIC, YATA, KWT, and                      whether the FTA should grant non-                     certified Buy America compliance,
                                                    SRA seek waivers for these air                          availability waivers to the Indianapolis              although later learned that the units


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                                                    15410                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2016 / Notices

                                                    from ECR international-EMI-USA of                       was unable to find a domestically                     and YATA are pursuing their non-
                                                    Utica, New York, are in fact                            manufactured mini split air                           availability waiver applications. FTA
                                                    manufactured abroad. YATA identified                    conditioning system. In fact, KWT states              did not reach out to KWT or SRA as
                                                    one ductless split system unit that is                  that it contacted the remaining America               they submitted their waiver requests
                                                    manufactured in the U.S. by Modine,                     manufacturer of VRF HVAC systems                      after scouting was complete.
                                                    however, this unit has a larger capacity                and this manufacturer ceased                             With certain exceptions, FTA’s Buy
                                                    than YATA’s project requirements for                    production two years ago. As a result,                America requirements prevent FTA
                                                    the Operations and Maintenance                          KWT procured the Carrier ductless                     from obligating an amount that may be
                                                    Facility. Use of this unit would result in              mini-split air conditioning equipment                 appropriated to carry out its program for
                                                    constant compressor cycling and a                       for the facility as no domestic                       a project unless ‘‘the steel, iron, and
                                                    limited lifespan. Moreover, YATA states                 manufacturer was available.                           manufactured goods used in the project
                                                    that it cannot use a standard split                        SRA is constructing the Union Station              are produced in the United States.’’ 49
                                                    system unit as an alternative to the                    Regional Intermodal Transportation                    U.S.C. 5323(j)(1). A manufactured
                                                    ductless split system, because a                        Center, which includes renovation of                  product is considered produced in the
                                                    standard system is incapable of treating                the existing Terminal Building and the                United States if: (1) All of the
                                                    ventilation air and the required                        construction of a six story parking                   manufacturing processes for the product
                                                    ductwork cannot be installed in                         garage. SRA is seeking to procure nine                take place in the United States; and (2)
                                                    locations that need environmental                       ductless mini-split air conditioners for              all of the components of the product are
                                                    control. Therefore, no domestic                         the construction project. Each building               of U.S. origin. A component is
                                                    manufacturer exists that would satisfy                  within the transportation center will                 considered of U.S. origin if it is
                                                    YATA’s project needs.                                   have its own HVAC system. SRA states                  manufactured in the United States,
                                                       KWT is completing construction of its                that it is necessary to install ductless              regardless of the origin of its
                                                    City of Key West Public Transportation                  mini-split air conditioners in each                   subcomponents. 49 CFR 661.5(d). If,
                                                    Facility, which is a U.S. Green Building                individual room in order to maintain                  however, FTA determines that ‘‘the
                                                    Council LEED project and includes                       environs in each room. The air                        steel, iron, and goods produced in the
                                                    many sustainable and efficient                          conditioners will be independent of                   United States are not produced in a
                                                    elements, including that of the HVAC                    other heating and cooling systems and                 sufficient and reasonably available
                                                    system. The project consists of an                      will be backed up by a generator.                     amount or are not of a satisfactory
                                                    18,300 square foot bus operations and                   Initially, SRA’s contractor thought that              quality,’’ then FTA may issue a waiver
                                                    maintenance building, a 2,100 square                    Trane’s product was Buy America-                      (non-availability waiver). 49 U.S.C.
                                                    foot bus wash building, fueling station,                compliant. Subsequently, however,                     5323(j)(2)(B); 49 CFR 661.7(c).
                                                    and parking facilities. The facility will               Trane notified SRA that its product was                  The purpose of this Notice is to
                                                    serve as the City’s transportation                      mislabeled and is actually foreign-made.              publish IPTC’s, YATA’s, KWT’s, and
                                                    operations center and will provide                      SRA also contacted 8 other companies                  SRA’s requests and to seek public
                                                    maintenance, repair, cleaning, and bus                  who manufacture ductless mini-split air               comment from all interested parties in
                                                    parking facilities. The front portion of                conditioners, although none of these                  accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A).
                                                    the main building includes offices for                  companies manufacturer the product                    Comments will help FTA understand
                                                    administration and operations, while                    domestically. As a result, SRA is                     completely the facts surrounding the
                                                    the rear portion provides space for bus                 seeking a non-availability waiver for the             requests, including the merits of the
                                                    maintenance, repairs and cleaning, parts                ductless mini-split air conditioners as
                                                                                                                                                                  requests. A full copy of the request has
                                                    storage and technician amenities.                       there is no domestic manufacturer.
                                                                                                                                                                  been placed in docket number FTA–
                                                       According to KWT’s waiver request,                      FTA also conducted a scouting search
                                                    the HVAC system is Buy America-                         for ductless air conditioning systems                 2016–0004.
                                                    compliant, with the exception of the                    through its Interagency Agreement with                  Issued on March 16, 2016.
                                                    VRF mechanical system which will be                     the U.S. Department of Commerce’s                     Dana Nifosi,
                                                    placed in three of the electrical,                      National Institute of Standards and                   Deputy Chief Counsel.
                                                    mechanical, and server rooms in the                     Technology (NIST). The scouting search                [FR Doc. 2016–06416 Filed 3–21–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    new facility. KWT states that these                     identified two domestic manufacturers                 BILLING CODE 4910–57–P
                                                    rooms must be able to function                          as potential matches for this
                                                    separately from the main operations                     opportunity: Kentuckiana Curb
                                                    building. KWT also is building this                     Company/KCC International in                          DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                    facility to be LEED silver certified and                Louisville, Kentucky and Climate
                                                    the energy-efficient VRF system will                    Conditioning Company, Inc./Liebert                    Federal Transit Administration
                                                    help KWT attain this certification. The                 also in Louisville, Kentucky. The
                                                                                                                                                                  [Docket No. FTA–2016–0002]
                                                    VRF system sought will also better                      manufacturers identified either produce
                                                    accommodate spatial constraints since                   similar products to the ductless air                  Notice of Proposed Buy America
                                                    the new facility is surrounded by a                     conditioning systems, possess the                     Waiver for a Radio Communications
                                                    landfill, school bus parking lot, and                   capabilities to produce ductless air                  System
                                                    other construction projects. It is also                 conditioning systems, have produced an
                                                    located in a highly-trafficked area,                    item similar to ductless air conditioning             AGENCY:   Federal Transit Administration,
                                                    which limits the footprint of the project.              systems in the past, or have expressed                DOT.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Unlike other HVAC systems, the                          a business interest in producing                      ACTION: Notice of proposed Buy America
                                                    ductless mini-split system will be able                 ductless air conditioning systems. Upon               waiver and request for comment.
                                                    to fit into the available space.                        request from FTA, IPTC and YATA
                                                       KWT is installing a Carrier ductless                 reached out to these potential domestic               SUMMARY:  The Federal Transit
                                                    mini-split system in the facility. Before               suppliers. However, neither company                   Administration (FTA) received a request
                                                    selecting this system, KWT conducted                    manufactures the specific mini-split air              for a waiver to permit the use of FTA
                                                    extensive research and reached out to                   conditioning systems sought and as                    funding to purchase a radio
                                                    domestic manufacturers, however, KWT                    described in this Notice. As such, IPTC               communication system that is non-


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Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:15:21
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:15:21
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of Proposed Buy America waiver and request for comment.
DatesComments must be received by March 29, 2016. Late-filed comments will be considered to the extent practicable.
ContactLaura Ames, FTA Attorney-Advisor, at (202) 366-2743 or [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 15409 

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