Vice President Biden Vouches to Enforce Buy American Provisions in a Letter to Congressman Mark Schauer

Jackson, MI, July 29, 2010 --(PR.com)-- When President Obama passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in February of 2009, it seemed that Full Spectrum Solutions, a lighting manufacturer based in Jackson, MI was in the right place at the right time. The ARRA includes a Buy American provision (Section 1605) that requires ARRA funds to be spent on U.S. manufactured goods. “We thought we had just won the lottery because we were one of only a few lighting companies that were actually manufacturing in the U.S.,” exclaimed Michael Nevins, President/CEO of Full Spectrum Solutions. However, Nevins soon realized this was not the case.

“Shortly after ARRA funds were allocated, supposed U.S. lighting manufacturers were popping up right and left,” Nevins said. “It wasn’t difficult to prove that our competitors’ claims of being ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ were part of a ‘get rich quick’ scheme.” After spending months watching contracts being awarded to companies allegedly claiming to be U.S. manufacturers, Full Spectrum Solutions engaged U.S. Congressman Mark Schauer, who is currently working on addressing trade issues with China, and was very familiar with the situation.

Full Spectrum Solutions presented Schauer’s office with evidence they had gathered over the last six months, resulting in his office conducting its own investigation to verify the allegations presented by Full Spectrum Solutions were correct. After concluding their investigation, Schauer’s office began their own initiative to pursue the issue. On June 22nd, Congressman Schauer wrote Vice President Joe Biden on behalf of all U.S. manufacturers, American taxpayers, and American workers.

Less than three weeks later, Schauer’s office received a response letter from the Vice President outlining ways in which the DOE and the Office of Management and Budget are addressing the concerns made by Schauer’s office. According to the letter, the DOE has done the following: sent letters of inquiry to the companies identified in Full Spectrum’s submission, asking them to submit documentation confirming that the products in question were manufactured in the U.S.; sent a “Program Alert” to all grantees reminding them of their responsibilities under the Buy American Act; and created a Buy American complaints “hotline” function on its website.

“This is exactly the kind of solution we were looking for when we approached Congressman Schauer with this problem, and thanks to his hard work, companies that play fair and comply with Buy American requirements will no longer lose contracts because of it,” stated Nevins. “This will make a big difference for businesses like ours that want to make sure our products, and the products we purchase from other companies, are helping American workers instead of workers in China.”

EverLast® Induction Lighting is a subsidiary of Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. and has quickly grown into the leading manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting solutions for roadway, parking structure, facility and area lighting applications. For additional product information, visit www.everlastlight.com, call 888-383-7578, or email info@everlastlight.com. For press inquiries, contact Lindsey Edwards by phone at 517-990-3030 or email lindsey@everlastlight.com.

http://schauer.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Biden.response.pdf

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