NEMA’s Make It American™ Program Earns Federal Highway Administration Recognition, Expands Certification Offerings to Support Domestic Manufacturing and Infrastructure Projects
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has achieved a significant milestone with its Make It American™ certification program, which is now officially recognized by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as a trusted industry resource. This recognition highlights Make It American as a validated tool for guiding manufacturers, contractors, and state departments of transportation (DOTs) through federal domestic preference policies associated with infrastructure projects.
The FHWA’s designation underscores the program’s value in helping stakeholders comply with Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements, a set of federal regulations that aim to strengthen domestic manufacturing by mandating that certain infrastructure projects use American-made products. The Make It American program provides independent verification of domestic content and manufacturing processes, allowing project developers and government agencies to confidently source compliant products while supporting U.S.-based manufacturing.
Advancing U.S. Manufacturing in Critical Infrastructure
Through Make It American, NEMA empowers the electrical manufacturing industry to build a stronger U.S. manufacturing base, supporting the technologies that underpin the nation’s transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure. From power distribution systems to connected building technologies, the program ensures that essential products are sourced and manufactured domestically, meeting stringent federal requirements and helping advance the country’s supply chain resilience.
“FHWA recognition is a significant milestone for the Make It American program,” said Debra Phillips, President and CEO of NEMA. “It not only confirms the electroindustry’s commitment to reshoring critical supply chains; it also validates the rigor of our third-party certification process. As our industry works to strengthen domestic manufacturing and accelerate project delivery, Make It American provides the independent verification framework government agencies and contractors need to facilitate compliance while driving investment and job creation here at home.”
By providing a transparent framework for certification, Make It American allows manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with BABA standards, helping them access federal infrastructure projects while promoting the growth of domestic manufacturing and supply chains. This approach ensures that electrical products used in federal projects are not only high-quality but also contribute to the national economy by supporting U.S.-based jobs and facilities.
Certification Across Key Electrical Product Categories
NEMA’s Make It American program enables companies to certify both their manufacturing facilities and their products against a comprehensive set of standards. The program currently covers six product categories, each critical to modern infrastructure:
- High- and Medium-Voltage Distribution Equipment – These products are essential for the safe and reliable distribution of electricity across local, regional, and national grids. Ensuring domestic production of these components supports grid reliability and infrastructure resilience.
- Low Voltage Power Distribution Equipment – Commonly used in commercial and industrial facilities, low-voltage equipment facilitates the safe distribution of electrical power to end users. Certification ensures that these products meet U.S. content requirements while maintaining high safety and performance standards.
- Connected Building Systems and Controls – These technologies enable smart building automation, energy efficiency, and digital integration in modern infrastructure projects. Domestic production ensures security, quality, and compliance with federal procurement standards.
- Wire and Cable – Essential for transmitting electricity and communications, wire and cable products certified under Make It American help guarantee that critical infrastructure projects utilize U.S.-manufactured components.
- Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) – Newly added to the certification program, VFDs are integral to controlling electrical load, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring system flexibility. Certification ensures these components are produced domestically and meet rigorous performance and quality standards.
- Grid Management and Automation Technologies – Also newly introduced, this category encompasses technologies that enhance grid reliability, flexibility, and resilience. As modern power systems face increasing demand for stability and adaptability, U.S.-manufactured grid management tools play a pivotal role in meeting those needs.
The addition of VFDs and Grid Management and Automation Technologies highlights NEMA’s commitment to evolving the Make It American program in response to emerging infrastructure needs. These product categories are critical for managing the nation’s electrical load, supporting renewable energy integration, and maintaining reliable and resilient power systems across urban and rural areas.
Supporting Compliance with Upcoming Federal Standards
FHWA’s recognition of Make It American is particularly timely as the agency prepares to phase in additional domestic content requirements for federally funded projects, starting October 1, 2026. As these standards evolve, manufacturers and contractors will face increasingly stringent requirements for sourcing and verifying domestic content. Make It American provides a clear pathway for businesses to navigate these changes, helping them achieve compliance today while preparing for tomorrow’s standards.
By providing third-party certification, the program ensures that both manufacturers and project stakeholders have confidence in the origin and quality of electrical products used in infrastructure projects. This verification is critical for federal agencies, state DOTs, and contractors, as it minimizes risk, enhances supply chain transparency, and accelerates project delivery.
Empowering Stakeholders Across the Supply Chain
One of the key benefits of Make It American is its utility across the entire infrastructure project supply chain. Manufacturers gain a recognized certification to validate their domestic production processes, while contractors and state DOTs can confidently select products that meet federal requirements without conducting extensive independent verification. This integrated approach reduces administrative burden and mitigates potential compliance risks for all parties involved.
“Make It American provides manufacturers and stakeholders with a trusted, standardized approach to documenting domestic content,” said Phillips. “By enabling easier identification of compliant products, we’re helping to streamline procurement processes, strengthen U.S. manufacturing, and support the nation’s infrastructure goals.”
The program’s third-party certification model also ensures consistency, impartiality, and transparency in evaluating facilities and products. NEMA’s standards and verification processes are designed to align with federal guidance while maintaining flexibility for manufacturers to innovate and evolve their production methods.
Building a Stronger Domestic Supply Chain
Beyond compliance, Make It American is driving broader benefits for the U.S. manufacturing ecosystem. By validating domestic production, the program encourages investment in local facilities, supports workforce development, and fosters supply chain resilience. As federal infrastructure projects increasingly prioritize domestic sourcing, manufacturers with Make It American certification are well-positioned to access new opportunities, create jobs, and contribute to long-term economic growth.
The program’s certification process also helps manufacturers identify areas for improvement in their production processes, promoting best practices and operational excellence. By adhering to NEMA’s rigorous standards, companies can enhance quality, efficiency, and competitiveness while meeting federal procurement requirements.
