16.754 Preference for American-made materials.

(1) Definitions. As used in this section:

(a) “Manufactured" means mined, produced, manufactured, fabricated or assembled.

(b) “Manufactured in the United States" means that materials are manufactured in whole or in substantial part within the United States or that the majority of the component parts thereof were manufactured in whole or in substantial part in the United States.

(c) “Materials" means any goods, supplies, equipment or any other tangible products or materials.

(d) “Purchase" means acquire by purchase or lease.

(e) “State" means the state of Wisconsin or any agency thereof, a contractor acting pursuant to a contract with the state, and any person acting on behalf of the state or any agent thereof.

(2) Purchase preference. Notwithstanding s. 16.75 (1) (a) 2., (2), (2m) and (6), when all other factors are substantially equal the state shall purchase materials which are manufactured to the greatest extent in the United States.

(3) Exemptions. Subsection (2) does not apply if the materials are purchased for the purpose of commercial resale or for the purpose of use in the production of goods for commercial sale. Subsection (2) does not apply to the purchase of stationery and printing materials. Subsection (2) does not apply if the department determines, under s. 16.75 (1) (a) 2., that the foreign nation or subdivision thereof in which the vendor is domiciled does not give preference to vendors domiciled in that nation or subdivision in making governmental purchases. Subsection (2) does not apply if the department or other person having contracting authority in respect to the purchase determines that:

(a) The materials are not manufactured in the United States in sufficient or reasonably available quantities; or

(b) The quality of the materials is substantially less than the quality of similar available materials manufactured outside of the United States.

History: 1979 c. 314; 1983 a. 27 s. 2202 (1); 1987 a. 27.