The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) adds new urgency to where equipment is made and how it is documented. Projects that meet domestic content criteria can access additional tax benefits, but those criteria hinge on whether iron, steel, and certain manufactured products originate in the United States and whether manufacturers can prove it. For engineering and procurement teams, this is not just a compliance checkbox—it changes specification choices, supplier engagement, schedules, and the way bills of materials are structured and tracked over a project’s life.

Process control systems: what changes under domestic content?

Process control systems sit at the core of many qualifying projects, connecting sensors, controllers, and operator interfaces. Under domestic content rules, the biggest shift is traceability. Teams must map the origin of assemblies and key components, maintain certificates of origin, and retain mill test reports for iron and steel where applicable. Even when firmware and software are global, the physical hardware must be supported by documentation that satisfies auditors. Early coordination among engineering, procurement, and quality ensures each control panel, remote I/O rack, and enclosure has an evidence trail that aligns with the project’s eligibility goals.

Industrial automation solutions: design choices that support compliance

Designers of industrial automation solutions can reduce risk by planning for compliant alternatives from the start. This includes specifying modular architectures so a component with uncertain origin can be swapped without cascading changes. Approved vendor lists should include at least one U.S.-made option for critical PLCs, HMIs, power supplies, and network hardware. Document the basis for origin—such as where substantial manufacturing occurs—and keep that evidence tied to part numbers within the design package. When integrators are involved, define responsibility for collecting and storing origin proofs to prevent gaps late in commissioning.

Working with a manufacturing equipment supplier: questions to ask

Engaging a manufacturing equipment supplier now requires a deeper diligence process. Request product-level origin statements that match exact catalog numbers and revisions, not just brand-level assertions. Ask whether the supplier can provide iron and steel certifications for frames, skids, and structural elements, and whether subassemblies are produced domestically. Clarify how substitutions will be handled if a component becomes unavailable and whether an equivalent U.S.-made alternative has been vetted. Finally, confirm how long documentation will be retained and in what format to simplify audits after the project is operational.

Industrial automation equipment: sourcing realities and tradeoffs

Industrial automation equipment often involves global value chains. Many well-known brands manufacture the same model in multiple countries, which means part numbers and factory codes matter. Teams should build a sourcing matrix that flags components with dependable U.S. production lines and identifies at-risk items where domestic options are limited. Plan for qualification testing of alternate PLC modules, contactors, or safety relays to avoid project delays if a domestic variant must be adopted. Stock strategy also changes: holding small buffers of domestically documented items for long-lead components can reduce schedule risk without tying up excessive capital.

Automation solutions: procurement workflows and documentation

Procurement teams can harden compliance by aligning contracts and workflows with domestic content goals. Include origin requirements in purchase orders, specify the evidence to be delivered with each shipment, and establish acceptance criteria that include documentation checks. Use digital traceability—serial numbers linked to certificates, invoices, and factory declarations—to preserve a clear chain of custody. For projects using local services in your area, ensure service providers understand documentation expectations, even when they do not supply material, so that installed equipment and spares remain consistent with the project’s compliance plan.

Putting it together for control and automation projects

For control and automation projects, the practical approach is to treat domestic content as a design and supply chain constraint from day one. Break the bill of materials into categories affected by origin rules, identify where U.S.-made alternatives exist, and plan validation steps for any substitutions. Train stakeholders on how documentation supports eligibility, and build a living repository that travels with the project from design through commissioning and into operations. By integrating these practices, teams can pursue the intended incentives without compromising safety, performance, or schedule predictability.

Implications for schedules, budgets, and risk management

Domestic content requirements can influence lead times and unit costs, but the larger impact often shows up in coordination and verification effort. Early engagement with engineering, integrators, and suppliers helps reduce change orders tied to origin issues. When supply conditions shift, having prequalified domestic alternatives and clear substitution rules keeps projects moving. Over time, organizations that standardize on traceable parts and maintain up-to-date origin records will find it easier to replicate compliant designs across facilities and programs.

Preparing for audits and long-term compliance

Projects can face documentation reviews years after commissioning. Store certificates of origin, mill test reports, and supplier declarations with version-controlled part lists and as-built drawings. Verify that spares and replacements maintain the same origin profile as installed equipment, or record changes if a different compliant option is used. Establishing these habits within maintenance and reliability programs ensures the benefits tied to domestic content are preserved over the asset’s life.

Conclusion Domestic content rules are changing how manufacturers evaluate and source process control systems and industrial automation equipment. With deliberate design choices, disciplined documentation, and strong collaboration with a manufacturing equipment supplier network, teams can manage compliance alongside performance and safety, creating resilient sourcing strategies that stand up to scrutiny.