Rural Utilities Service February 3, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants a project waiver of the Buy American Requirements of ARRA Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(2) [manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality] to the Plymouth Village Water & Sewer District, New Hampshire (``District'') for the purchase of a foreign manufactured rotary sludge dewatering press. This is a project specific waiver and only applies to the use of the specified product for the ARRA project being proposed. Any other ARRA recipient that wishes to use the same product must apply for a separate waiver based on project specific circumstances. The District's proposed wastewater treatment facility improvements will include a replacement of the existing belt filter press for sludge generated at the plant. Based upon information submitted by the District and its consultants, it was determined that a rotary press sludge dewatering unit, manufactured by Fournier Industries of Quebec, Canada, will meet the District's design and performance specifications. The Secretary is making this determination based on the review and recommendations of the Rural Development Buy American Coordinator. The District through its design engineer has provided sufficient documentation to support its request. The Undersecretary for Rural Development concurred on this decision to waive Section 1605 of ARRA. This action permits the purchase of a 6 channel rotary press sludge dewatering unit, manufactured by Fournier Industries, by the District, as specified in its October 7, 2009 waiver request, as part of the improvements to the wastewater treatment facility.