Since most builders only need to cut a batch of sheet steel occasionally,
why not try a water jet cutting service. A friend here in Perth was
rebuilding a car and had a new steel firewall made up from a CAD drawing at
very reasonable cost. There are plenty of service providers in the USA -
have a look at http://www.precisioncuttingservice.com/ in Savanna GA for
example.

One local company here in Perth has done many instrument panels out of sheet
aluminum.

Phil Maley
Perth Australia