# DC Circuit Upholds Buy America Waiver for Brightline Trains

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has upheld a Buy America waiver granted for the Brightline high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas, Nevada, to Southern California. This ruling affirms the waiver's compliance with federal requirements and rejects the challenge brought by Alstom Transportation Inc. The decision preserves procurement flexibility for the project under Buy America regulations, which may influence future rail infrastructure procurements and waiver considerations.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note that Buy America waivers can withstand legal scrutiny when properly justified, potentially easing sourcing constraints for complex infrastructure projects.
- The ruling signals that agencies like the Federal Railroad Administration and Department of Transportation can apply waivers to facilitate timely project delivery without violating federal procurement statutes.
- Contractors and suppliers involved in rail infrastructure projects should evaluate how waiver approvals might affect competitive dynamics and sourcing strategies.
- Organizations engaged in future rail or transit procurements may find precedent in this decision for negotiating or contesting Buy America compliance requirements.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 25, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Railroad Administration
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Department of Justice
- U.S. Department of Transportation

### Vendors
- Alstom Transportation Inc. (challenger)

### Sources
- [DC Circ. Backs Buy America Waiver For Brightline Trains - Law360](https://www.law360.com/appellate/articles/2530243/dc-circ-backs-buy-america-waiver-for-brightline-trains) - law360.com