(A) The director of transportation shall adopt a policy for use by the department of transportation in giving preference to United States products. The policy shall include criteria and procedures for determining that a product is produced or mined in the United States and shall address information to be submitted by bidders as to the nature of the product and the location where it is produced or mined. The policy may include waivers and such other requirements or procedures reasonably necessary to implement the system of preferences established pursuant to this section. In adopting the policy, the director shall consider, and to the extent possible and appropriate, shall conform to the requirements of the federal "Buy America Act," 47 Stat. 1520 (1933), 41 U.S.C. 10a-10 d, as amended, and to the regulations adopted thereunder.

(B) Prior to awarding a contract under section 5513.02 of the Revised Code, the director shall evaluate the bids received to determine if a product is produced or mined in the United States. The director shall first reject bids that offer products that have not been or that will not be produced or mined in the United States, provided that the director is not required to reject such bids if the rejection would result in an excessive price for the product or in acquiring a disproportionately inferior product. When the system of preferences is in effect, no person with responsibility for awarding contracts for the department shall do so in violation of the preference system.

Effective Date: 03-13-1997 .