CFR Part 395

CFR Part 395

CFR Part 395-Vending Facility Program for the Blind on Federal and Other Property

395.1 Terms.

395.2 Application for Designation as a State Licensing Agency; General.
395.3 Application for Designation as State Licensing Agency; Content.
395.4 State Rules and Regulations.
395.5 Approval of Application for Designation as State Licensing Agency.
395.6 Vendor Ownership of Vending Facilities.
395.7 The issuance and conditions of licenses
395.8 Distribution and Use of Income from Vending Machines on Federal Property.
395.9 The Setting Aside of Funds by the State Licensing Agency.
395.10 The Maintenance and Replacement of Vending Facility Equipment.
395.11 Training Program for Blind Individuals.
395.12 Access to Program and Financial Information
395.13 Evidentiary Hearings and Arbitration of Vendor Complaints.
395.14 The State Committee of Blind Vendors.
395.15 Use of Nominee Agreements.
395.16 Permit for the Establishment of Vending Facilities.
395.17 Suspension of Designation as State Licensing Agency.

Subpart C - Federal Property Management

395.30 The Location and Operation of Vending Facilities for Blind Vendors on Federal Property.
395.31 Acquisition and Occupation of Federal Property.
395.32 Collection and Distribution of Vending Machine Income from Vending Machines on Federal Property.
395.33 Operation of Cafeterias by Blind Vendors.
395.34 Application for Permits.
395.35 Terms of Permit.
395.36 Enforcement Procedures.
395.37 Arbitration of State Licensing Agency Complaints.
395.38 Reports.

Authority: Sec. 2, 49 Stat. 1559, as amended; 20 USC. 107a. SOURCE: 42 FR 15802, Mar. 23, 1977, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 45 FR 77369, Nov. 21, 1980, and further redesignated at 46 FR 5417, Jan. 19, 1981.

Subpart A - Definitions

395.1 Terms. Unless otherwise indicated in this part, the terms below are defined as follows:

(a) "Act" means the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act (Pub. L. 74-732), as amended by Pub. L. 83-565 and Pub. L. 93-516, 20 USC., ch. 6A, Sec 107.

(b) "Blind licensee" means a blind person licensed by the State licensing agency to operate a vending facility on Federal or other property.

(c) "Blind person" means a person who, after examination by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye or by an optometrist, whichever such person shall select, has been determined to have:

1. Not more than 20/200 central visual acuity in the better eye with correcting lenses, or
2. An equally disabling loss of the visual field as evidenced by a limitation to the field of vision in the better eye to such a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle of no greater than 20 degrees.

(f) "Direct competition" means the presence and operation of a vending machine or a vending facility on the same premises as a vending facility operated by a blind vendor, except that vending machines or vending facilities operated in areas serving employees the majority of whom normally do not have direct access (in terms of uninterrupted ease of approach and the amount of time required to patronize the vending facility) to the vending facility operated by a blind vendor shall not be considered to be in direct competition with the vending facility operated by a blind vendor.

(g) "Federal property" means any building, land, or other real property owned, leased, or occupied by any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States (including the Department of Defense and the United States Postal Service), or any other instrumentality wholly owned by the United States, or by any department or agency of the District of Columbia or any territory or possession of the United States.

(h) "Individual location installation or facility" means a single building or a self-contained group of buildings. In order for two or more buildings to be considered to be a self-contained group of buildings, such buildings must be located in close proximity to each other, and a majority of the Federal employees housed in any such building must regularly move from one building to another in the course of official business during normal working days.

(i) "License" means a written instrument issued by the State licensing agency to a blind person, authorizing such person to operate a vending facility on Federal or other property.

(j) "Management services" means supervision, inspection, quality control, consultation, accounting, regulating, in-service training, and other related services provided on a systematic basis to support and improve vending facilities operated by blind vendors. "Management services" does not include those services or costs which pertain to the on-going operation of an individual facility after the initial establishment period.

(k) "Net proceeds" means the amount remaining from the sale of articles or services of vending facilities, and any vending machine or other income accruing to blind vendors after deducting the cost of such sale and other expenses (excluding set-aside charges required to be paid by such blind vendors).

(l) "Nominee" means a nonprofit agency or organization designated by the State licensing agency through a written agreement to act as its agent in the provision of services to blind licensees under the State's vending facility program.

(m) "Normal working hours" means an eight hour work period between the approximate hours of 8:00 a.m., to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

(n) "Other property" means property which is not Federal property and on which vending facilities are established or operated by the use of any funds derived in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the operation of vending facilities on any Federal property.

(o) "Permit" means the official approval given a State licensing agency by a department, agency or instrumentality in control of the maintenance, operation, and protection of Federal property, or person in control of other property, whereby the State licensing agency is authorized to establish a vending facility.

(p) "Program" means all the activities of the licensing agency under this part related to vending facilities on Federal and other property.

(q) "Satisfactory site" means an area fully accessible to vending facility patrons and having:

2. Sufficient electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilation outlets for the location and operation of a vending facility in accordance with applicable health laws and building codes.

(s) "Set-aside funds" means funds which accrue to a State licensing agency from an assessment against the net proceeds of each vending facility in the State's vending facility program and any income from vending machines on Federal property which accrues to the State licensing agency.

(t) "State" means a State, territory, possession, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia.

(u) "State vocational rehabilitation agency" means that agency in the State providing vocational rehabilitation services to the blind as the sole State agency under a State plan for vocational rehabilitation services approved pursuant to the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC., ch. 16).

(v) "State licensing agency" means the State agency designated by the Secretary under this part to issue licenses to blind persons for the operation of vending facilities on Federal and other property.

(w) "United States" includes the several States, territories, and possessions of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

(x) "Vending facility" means automatic vending machines, cafeterias, snack bars, cart service, shelters, counters, and such other appropriate auxiliary equipment which may be operated by blind licensees and which is necessary for the sale of newspapers, periodicals, confections, tobacco products, foods, beverages, and other articles or services dispensed automatically or manually and prepared on or off the premises in accordance with all applicable health laws, and including the vending or exchange of changes for any lottery authorized by State law and conducted by an agency of a State within such State.

(y) "Vending machine", for the purpose of assigning vending machine income under this part, means a coin or currency operated machine which dispenses articles or services, except that those machines operated by the United States Postal Service for the sale of postage stamps or other postal products and services, machines providing services of a recreational nature, and telephones shall not be considered to be vending machines.

(z) "Vending machine income" means receipts (other than those of a blind vendor) from vending machine operations on Federal property, after deducting the cost of goods sold (including reasonable service and maintenance costs in accordance with customary business practices of commercial vending concerns, where the machines are operated, serviced, or maintained by, or with the approval of, a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, or commissions paid (other than to a blind vendor) by a commercial vending concern which operates, services, and maintains vending machines on Federal property for, or with the approval of, a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States.

(aa) "Vendor" means a blind licensee who is operating a vending facility on Federal or other property.

(bb) "Vocational rehabilitation services" means those services as defined in SS 1361.1(ee) (1) and (2) of this chapter. <Return to TOC

Subpart B - The State Licensing Agency

395.2 Application for Designation as a State Licensing Agency; General.

(a) An application for designation as a State licensing agency may be submitted only by the State vocational rehabilitation agency providing vocational rehabilitation services to the blind under an approved State plan for vocational rehabilitation services under Part 1361 of this chapter.

(b) Such application shall be:

(1) Submitted in writing to the Secretary;

(2) Approved by the chief executive of the State; and

(3) Transmitted over the signature of the administrator of the State agency making application.   <Return to TOC>

395.3 Application for Designation as State Licensing Agency; Content.
(a) An application for designation as a State licensing agency under SS 395.2 shall indicate:

1. The State licensing agency's legal authority to administer the program, including its authority to promulgate rules and regulations to govern the program;
2. The State licensing agency's organization for carrying out the program, including a description of the methods for coordinating the State's vending facility program and the State's vocational rehabilitation program, with special reference to the provision of such post-employment services necessary to assure that the maximum vocational potential of each blind vendor is achieved;

3. The policies and standards to be employed in the selection of suitable locations for vending facilities;

4. The methods to be used to ensure the continuing and active participation of the State Committee of Blind Vendors in matters affecting policy and program development and administration;

5. The policies to be followed in making suitable vending facility equipment and adequate initial stock available to a vendor;

6. The sources of funds for the administration of the program;

7. The policies and standards governing the relationship of the State licensing agency to the vendors; including their selection, duties, supervision, transfer, promotion, financial participation, rights to a full evidentiary hearing concerning a State licensing agency action, and, where necessary, rights for the submittal of complaints to an arbitration panel;

8. The methods to be followed in providing suitable training, including on-the-job training and, where appropriate, upward mobility training, to blind vendors;

9. The arrangements made or contemplated, if any, for the utilization of the services of any nominee under SS 395.15; the agreements therefore and the service, to be provided; the procedures for the supervision and control of the services provided by such nominee and the methods used in evaluating services received, the basis for remuneration, and the fiscal controls and accounting procedures;

10. The arrangements made or contemplated, if any, for the vesting in accordance with the laws of the State, of the right, title to, and interest in vending facility equipment or stock (including vending machines), used in the program, in a nominee to hold such right, title to, and interest for program purposes; and

11. The assurances of the State licensing agency that it will:

(i) Cooperate with the Secretary in applying the requirements of the Act in a uniform manner;

(ii) Take effective action, including the termination of licenses, to carry out full responsibility for the supervision and management of each vending facility in its program in accordance with its established rules and regulations, this part, and the terms and conditions governing the permit,

(iii) Submit promptly to the Secretary for approval a description of any changes in the legal authority of the State licensing agency, its rules and regulations, blind vendor agreements, schedules for the setting aside of funds, contractual arrangements for the furnishing of services by a nominee, arrangements for carrying general liability and product liability insurance, and any other matters which form a part of the application;

(iv) If it intends to set aside, or cause to be set aside, funds from the net proceeds of the operation of vending facilities, obtain a prior determination by the Secretary that the amount of such funds to be set aside is reasonable;

(v) Establish policies against discrimination of any blind vendor on the basis of sex, age, physical or mental impairment, creed, color, national origin, or political affiliation;

(vi) Furnish each vendor a copy of its rules and regulations and a description of the arrangements for providing services, and take adequate steps to assure that each vendor understands the provisions of the permit and any agreement under which he operates, as evidenced by his signed statements;

(vii) Submit to an arbitration panel those grievances of any vendor unresolved after a full evidentiary hearing;

(viii) Adopt accounting procedures and maintain financial records in a manner necessary to provide for each vending facility and for the State's vending facility program a classification of financial transactions in such detail as is sufficient to enable evaluation of performance; and

(ix) Maintain records and make reports in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may require, make such records available for audit purposes, and comply with such provisions as the Secretary may find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports.

(b) An application submitted under SS 395.2 shall be accompanied by a copy of State rules and regulations affecting the administration and operation of the State's vending facility program. <Return to TOC>
395.4 State Rules and Regulations.
(a) The State licensing agency shall promulgate rules and regulations which have been approved by the Secretary and which shall be adequate to assure the effective conduct of the State's vending facility program (including State licensing agency procedures covering the conduct of full evidentiary hearings) and the operation of each vending facility in accordance with this part and with the requirements and conditions of each department, agency, and instrumentality in control of the maintenance, operation, and protection of Federal property, including the conditions contained in permits, as well as in all applicable Federal and State laws, local ordinances and regulations.

(b) Such rules and regulations and amendments thereto shall be filed or published in accordance with State law

(c) Such rules and regulations shall include provisions adequate to insure that the right, title to, and interest in each vending facility used in the program and the stock will be vested in accordance with the laws of the State in only the following:

(1) The State licensing agency; or

(2) Its nominee, subject to the conditions specified in SS 395.15(b); or

(3) The vendor, in accordance with State determination.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section, any right, title to, or interest which existed on June 30, 1955, in stock may continue so long as:

(1) The interest is in the stock of a facility established under the program prior to July 1, 1955, and
(2) The vendor was licensed in the program (whether or not for the operation of the vending facility in question) prior to July 1, 1955.    <Return to TOC>

395.5 Approval of Application for Designation as State Licensing Agency.

    When the Secretary determines that an application submitted by a State vocational rehabilitation agency under SS 395.2, and the accompanying rules and regulations indicate a plan of program operations which will stimulate and enlarge the economic opportunities for the blind, and which will meet all other requirements of this part, he shall approve the application and shall designate the applying State vocational rehabilitation agency as the State licensing agency.      <Return to TOC>
395.6 Vendor Ownership of Vending Facilities.
(a) If a State licensing agency determines under SS 395.4(c) that the right, title to, and interest in a vending facility may be vested in the blind vendor, the State licensing agency shall enter into a written agreement with each vendor who is to have such ownership. Such agreement shall contain in full the terms and conditions governing such ownership in accordance with criteria in the State licensing agency's regulations, this part, and the terms and conditions of the permit. The criteria established to govern the determination that the title may be so vested shall contain reasonable provisions to enable a vendor to purchase vending facility equipment and to ensure that no individual will be denied the opportunity to become a vendor because of his inability to purchase the vending facility equipment or the initial stock;
(b) The State licensing agency shall establish in writing and maintain policies determining whether the vendor-owner or the State licensing agency shall be required to maintain the vending facility in good repair and in an attractive condition and replace worn out or obsolete equipment; and if the former, such policies shall provide that upon such vendor-owner's failure to do so, the State licensing agency may make the necessary maintenance, replacement, or repairs and make equitable arrangements for reimbursement;

(c) Where the vendor owns such equipment and is required to maintain the vending facility in good repair and in an attractive condition and replace worn out or obsolete equipment, or agrees to purchase additional new equipment, service charges for such purposes shall be equitably reduced and the method for determining such amount shall be established by the State licensing agency in writing;

(d) Where the vendor owns such equipment, the State licensing agency shall retain a first option to repurchase such equipment, and in the event the vendor-owner dies, or for any other reason ceases to be a licensee, or transfers to another vending facility, ownership of such equipment shall become vested in the State licensing agency for transfer to a successor licensee subject to an obligation on its part to "pay to such vendor-owner or his estate, the fair value therein; and

(e) The vendor owner, his personal representative or next of kin shall be entitled to an opportunity for a full evidentiary hearing with respect to the determination of the amount to be paid by the State licensing agency for a vendor's ownership in the equipment. When the vendor-owner is dissatisfied with any decision rendered as a result of such hearing, he may file a complaint with the Secretary under SS 395.13 to request the convening of an ad hoc arbitration panel. <Return to TOC>

395.7 The Issuance and Conditions of Licenses.
(a) The State licensing agency shall establish in writing and maintain objective criteria for licensing qualified applicants, including a provision for giving preference to blind persons who are in need of employment. Such criteria shall also include provisions to assure that licenses will be issued only to persons who are determined by the State licensing agency to be:

1. Blind;
2. Citizens of the United States; and

3. Certified by the State vocational rehabilitation agency as qualified to operate a vending facility.

(b) The State licensing agency shall provide for the issuance of licenses for an indefinite period but subject to suspension or termination if, after affording the vendor an opportunity for a full evidentiary hearing, the State licensing agency finds that the vending facility is not being operated in accordance with its rules and regulations, the terms and conditions of the permit, and the terms and conditions of the agreement with the vendor.
(c) The State licensing agency shall further establish in writing and maintain policies which have been developed with the active participation of the State Committee of Blind Vendors and which govern the duties, supervision, transfer, promotion, and financial participation of the vendors. The State licensing agency shall also establish procedures to assure that such policies have been explained to each blind vendor. <Return to TOC>

395.8 Distribution and Use of Income from Vending Machines on Federal Property.
(a) Vending machine income from vending machines on Federal property which has been disbursed to the State licensing agency by a property managing department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States under SS 395.32 shall accrue to each blind vendor operating a vending facility on such Federal property in each State in an amount not to exceed the average net income of the total number of blind vendors within such State, as determined each fiscal year on the basis of each prior year's operation, except that vending machine income shall not accrue to any blind vendor in any amount exceeding the average net income of the total number of blind vendors in the United States. No blind vendor shall receive less vending machine income than he was receiving during the calendar year prior to January 1, 1974, as a direct result of any limitation imposed on such income under this paragraph. No limitation shall be imposed on income from vending machines, combined to create a vending facility, when such facility is maintained, serviced, or operated by a blind vendor. Vending machine income disbursed by a property managing department, agency or instrumentality of the United States to a State licensing agency in excess of the amounts eligible to accrue to blind vendors in accordance with this paragraph shall be retained by the appropriate State licensing agency.

(b) The State licensing agency shall disburse vending machine income to blind vendors within the State on at least a quarterly basis.

(c) Vending machine income which is retained under paragraph (a) of this section by a State licensing agency shall be used by such agency for the establishment and maintenance of retirement or pension plans, for health insurance contributions, and for the provision of paid sick leave and vacation time for blind vendors in such State, if so it is determined by a majority vote of blind vendors licensed by the State licensing agency, after such agency has provided to each such vendor information on all matters relevant to such purposes. Any vending machine income not necessary for such purposes shall be used by the State licensing agency for the maintenance and replacement of equipment, the purchase of new equipment, management services, and assuring a fair minimum return to vendors. Any assessment charged to blind vendors by a State licensing agency shall be reduced pro rata in an amount equal to the total of such remaining vending machine income.     <Return to TOC>
395.9 The Setting Aside of Funds by the State Licensing Agency.
(a) The State licensing agency shall establish in writing the extent to which funds are to be set aside or caused to be set aside from the net proceeds of the operation of the vending facilities and, to the extent applicable, from vending machine income under SS 395.8(c) in an amount determined by the Secretary to be reasonable.
(b) Funds may be set aside under paragraph a) of this section only for the purposes of:

(1) Maintenance and replacement of equipment;
(2) The purchase of new equipment;

1. Management services;

2. Assuring a fair minimum of return to vendors; or

3. The establishment and maintenance of retirement or pension funds, health insurance contributions, and provision for paid sick leave and vacation time, if it is so determined by a majority vote of blind vendors licensed by the State licensing agency, after such agency provides to each such vendor information on all matters relevant to such proposed purposes.

(c) The State licensing agency shall further set out the method of determining the charge for each of the above purposes listed in paragraph (b) of this section, which will be determined with the active participation of the State Committee of Blind Vendors and which will be designed to prevent, so far as is practicable, a greater charge for any purpose than is reasonably required for that purpose. The State licensing agency shall maintain adequate records to support the reasonableness of the charges for each of the purposes listed in this section, including any reserves necessary to assure that such purposes can be achieved on a consistent basis.     <Return to TOC>

395.10 The Maintenance and Replacement of Vending Facility Equipment.
The State licensing agency shall maintain (or cause to be maintained) all vending facility equipment in good repair and in an attractive condition and shall replace or cause to be replaced worn-out and obsolete equipment as required to ensure the continued successful operation of the facility.     <Return to TOC>
395.11 Training Program for Blind Individuals.
    The State licensing agency shall ensure that effective programs of vocational and other training services, including personal and vocational adjustment, books, tools, and other training materials, shall be provided to blind individuals as vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Pub. L. 93-112), as amended by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-516). Such programs shall include on-the-job training in all aspects of vending facility operation for blind persons with the capacity to operate a vending facility, and upward mobility training (including further education and additional training or retraining for improved work opportunities) for all blind licensees. The State licensing agency shall further ensure that post employment services shall be provided to blind vendors as vocational rehabilitation services as necessary to assure that the maximum vocational potential of such vendors is achieved and suitable employment is maintained within the State's vending facility program.     <Return to TOC>

395.12 Access to Program and Financial Information.
    Each blind vendor under this part shall be provided access to all financial data of the State licensing agency relevant to the operation of the State vending facility program, including quarterly and annual financial reports, provided that such disclosure does not violate., applicable Federal or State laws pertaining to the disclosure of confidential information. Insofar as practicable, such data shall be made available in Braille or recorded tape. At the request of a blind vendor State licensing agency staff shall arrange a convenient time to assist in the interpretation of such financial data.     <Return to TOC>

395.13 Evidentiary Hearings and Arbitration of Vendor Complaints.
(a) The State licensing agency shall specify in writing and maintain procedures whereby such agency affords an opportunity for a full evidentiary hearing to each blind vendor (Which procedures shall also apply to cases under SS 395.6(e)) dissatisfied with any State licensing agency action arising from the operation or administration of the vending facility program. When such blind vendor is dissatisfied with any action taken or decision rendered as a result of such hearing, he may file a complaint with the Secretary. Such complaint shall be accompanied by all available supporting documents, including a statement of the decision which was rendered and the reasons in support thereof.

(b) The filing of a complaint under paragraph (a) of this section with either the State licensing agency or the Secretary shall indicate consent by the blind vendor for the release of such information as is necessary for the conduct of a full evidentiary hearing or the hearing of an ad hoc arbitration panel.

(c) Upon receipt of a complaint filed by a blind vendor which meets the requirements established by the Secretary, the Secretary shall convene an ad hoc arbitration panel which shall, in accordance with the provisions of 5 USC. chapter 5, subchapter II, give notice, conduct a hearing, and render its decision which shall be final and binding on the parties except that such decision shall be subject to appeal and review as a final agency action for purposes of the provisions of 5 USC. chapter 7.

(d) The arbitration panel convened by the Secretary to hear the grievances of blind vendors shall be composed of three members appointed as follows:

1. One individual designated by the State licensing agency;
2. One individual designated by the blind vendor; and

3. One individual not employed by the State licensing agency or, where appropriate, its parent agency, who shall be jointly designated by the other members of the panel and who shall serve as chairman of the panel.

(e) If either the State licensing agency or the blind vendor fails to designate a member of an arbitration panel. the Secretary shall designate such number on behalf of such part.

(f) The decisions of an arbitration panel convened by the Secretary under this section shall be matters of public record and shall be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

(g) The Secretary shall pay all reasonable costs of arbitration under this section in accordance with a schedule of fees and expenses which shall be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

(h) The provisions of this section shall not require the participation of grantors of permits for the operation of vending facilities on property other than Federal property.     <Return to TOC>

395.14 The State Committee of Blind Vendors.

(a) The State licensing agency shall provide for the biennial election of a State Committee of Blind Vendors which, to the extent possible, shall be fully representative of all blind vendors in the State program on the basis of such factors as geography and vending facility type with a goal of providing for proportional representation of blind vendors on Federal property and blind vendors on other property. Participation by any blind vendor in any election shall not be conditioned upon the payment of dues or any other fees.

(b) The State Committee of Blind Vendors shall:

1. Actively participate with the State licensing agency in major administrative decisions and policy and program development decisions affecting the overall administration of the State's vending facility program;
2. Receive and transmit to the State licensing agency grievances at the request of blind vendors and serve as advocates for such vendors in connection with such grievances;
3. Actively participate with the State licensing agency in the development and administration of a State system for the transfer and promotion of blind vendors;
4. Actively participate with the State licensing agency in the development of training and retraining programs for blind vendors; and
5. Sponsor, with the assistance of the State licensing agency, meetings and instructional conferences for blind vendors within the State.     <Return to TOC>

395.15 Use of Nominee Agreements.
(a) The State licensing agency may enter into an agreement whereby another agency or organization undertakes to furnish services to blind vendors. Such agreement shall be in writing and shall contain provisions which:

(1) Clearly insure the retention by the State licensing agency of full responsibility for the administration and operation of all phases of the program; (2) Specify the type and extent of the services to be provided under such agreement; (3) Provide that no set aside charges will be collected from blind vendors except as specified in such agreement; (4) Specify that no nominee will be allowed to exercise any function with respect to funds for the purchase of new equipment or for assuring a fair minimum of return to vendors, except to collect and hold solely for disposition in accordance with the order of the State licensing agency any charges authorized for those purposes by the licensing agency; and (5) Specify that only the State licensing agency shall have control with respect to selection, placement, transfer, financial participation and termination of the vendors, and the preservation, utilization, and disposition of program assets.
(b) If the State licensing agency permits any agency or organization other than a vendor to hold any right, title to, or interest in vending facilities or stock, the arrangement shall be one permitted by State law and shall specify in writing that all such right, title to, or interest is held by such agency or organization as the nominee of the State licensing agency for program purposes and subject to the paramount right of the State licensing agency to direct and control the use, transfer, and disposition of such vending facilities or stock.     <Return to TOC>
395.16 Permit for the Establishment of Vending Facilities.
    Prior to the establishment of each vending facility, other than a cafeteria, the State licensing agency shall submit an application for a permit setting forth, the location, the amount of space necessary for the operation of the vending facility; the type of facility and equipment, the number, location and type of vending machines and other terms and conditions desired to be included in the permit. Such application shall be submitted for the approval of the head of the Federal property managing department, agency, or instrumentality. When an application is not approved, the head of the Federal property managing department, agency, or instrumentality shall advise the State licensing agency in writing and shall indicate the reasons for the disapproval.     <Return to TOC>
395.17 Suspension of Designation as State Licensing Agency.

(a) If the Secretary has reason to believe that, in the administration of the program, there is a failure on the part of any State licensing agency to comply substantially with the Act and this part, he shall so inform such agency in writing, setting forth, in detail, the areas in which there is such failure and giving it a reasonable opportunity to comply.

(b) If, after the lapse of a reasonable time, the Secretary is of the opinion that such failure to comply still continues and that the State licensing agency is not taking the necessary steps to comply, he shall offer to such agency, by reasonable notice in writing thereto and to the chief executive of the State, an opportunity for a hearing before the Secretary (or person designated by the Secretary) to determine whether there is a failure on the part of such agency to comply substantially with the provisions of the Act and of this part.

(c) If it is thereupon determined that there is a failure on the part of such agency to comply substantially with the Act and this part, appropriate written noticed shall be given to such agency and to the chief executive of the State suspending such agency's designation as licensing agency effective 90 days from the date of such notice. A copy of such written notice shall be given to each department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States responsible for the maintenance, operation, and protection of Federal property on which vending machines subject to the requirements of SS 395.32 are located in the State. Upon the suspension of such designation, vending machine income from vending machines on Federal property due for accrual to the State licensing agency under SS 395.32 shall be retained in escrow by such department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States responsible for the maintenance, operation and protection of the Federal property on which such vending machines are located, pending redesignation of the State licensing agency or rescission of the suspension under paragraph (e) of this section.

(d) If, before the expiration of such 90 days, the Secretary (or person designated by him) determines that the State licensing agency is taking the necessary steps to comply, he may postpone the effective date of such suspension for such time as he deems necessary in the best interest of the program.

(e) If, prior to the effective date of such suspension, the Secretary (or person designated by him) finds that there is no longer a failure on the part of the State licensing agency to comply substantially with the provisions of the Act and this part, he shall so notify the agency, the chief executive of the State, and each Federal department, agency, or instrumentality required to place funds in escrow under paragraph (c) of this section, in which event the suspension of the designation shall not become effective and the requirement to place funds in escrow shall be terminated.     <Return to TOC>

Subpart C - Federal Property Management

395.30 The Location and Operation of Vending Facilities for Blind Vendors on Federal Property.
(a) Each department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States in control of the maintenance, operation, and protection of Federal property shall take all steps necessary to assure that, wherever feasible, in light of appropriate space and potential patronage, one or more vending facilities for operation by blind licensees shall be located on all Federal property Provided that the location or operation of such facility or facilities would not adversely affect the interests of the United States. Blind persons licensed by State licensing agencies shall be given priority in the operation of vending facilities on any Federal property.
(b) Any limitation on the location or operation of a vending facility for blind vendors by a department, agency or instrumentality, of the United States based on a finding that such location or operation or type of location or operation would adversely affect the interests of the United States shall be fully justified in writing to the Secretary who shall determine whether such limitation is warranted. A determination made by the Secretary concerning such limitation shall be binding on any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States affected by such determination. The Secretary shall publish such determination in the FEDERAL REGISTER along with supporting documents directly relating to the determination.

(c) Priority in the operation of vending facilities in areas administered by the National Park Service or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall be given to blind vendors. Priority in the awarding of contracts for the operation of concessions in such areas when such concessions provide accommodations, facilities, and services of a scope or of a character not generally available in vending facilities operated by blind vendors shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the Concession Policy Act (Pub. L. 98-249, 16 USC. 1) or the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended (Pub. L. 85-568, 42 USC. 2473). The provisions of this part shall not apply when all accommodations, facilities, or services in such areas are operated by a single responsible concessioner.     <Return to TOC>

395.31 Acquisition and Occupation of Federal Property.
(a) Effective January 2, 1975, no department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States shall undertake to acquire by ownership, rent, or lease, or to otherwise occupy, in whole or in part, any building unless it is determined that such building includes a satisfactory site or sites for the location and operation of a vending facility by a blind vendor. In those cases where a purchase contract, an agreement to lease, or other similar commitment was entered into prior to January 2. 1975, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply.

(b) Effective January 2, 1975, no department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, shall undertake to occupy, in whole or in part, any building which is to be constructed, substantially altered, or renovated, or in the case of a building which is occupied on January 2, 1975 by a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, no such department, agency, or instrumentality shall undertake to substantially alter or renovate such building, unless it is determined that the design for such construction, substantial alteration, or renovation includes a satisfactory site or sites for the location and operation of a vending facility by a blind vendor. In those cases where a design contract or other similar commitment was entered into prior to January 2, 1975, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply. For purposes of this paragraph, "substantial alteration or renovation of a building" means a permanent material change in the floor area of such building which would render such building appropriate for the location and operation of a vending facility by a blind vendor.

(c) The determination that a building contains a satisfactory site or sites under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section shall be made after consultation between the State licensing agency and the head of the department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States which is planning to acquire or otherwise occupy such building. In order to make such determination. effective on the publication date of this part each such department, agency, or instrumentality shall provide to the appropriate State licensing agency written notice of its intention to acquire or otherwise occupy such building. Such written notice shall be by certified or registered mail with return receipt and shall be provided as early as practicable but no later than 60 days prior to such intended action. The written notice shall indicate that a satisfactory site or sites for the location and operation of a vending facility by blind persons is included in the plans for the building to be acquired or otherwise occupied and shall further assure that the State licensing agency shall be afforded the opportunity to determine whether such building includes a satisfactory site or sites for a vending facility. The written notice shall further assure that the State licensing agency, subject to the approval of the head of the Federal property managing department, agency, or instrumentality, shall be offered the opportunity to select the location and type of vending facility to be operated by a blind vendor prior to the completion of the final space layout of the building. The receipt of such written notice shall be acknowledged in writing promptly by the State licensing agency but no later than within 30 days and the State licensing agency shall indicate at that time whether it is interested in establishing a vending facility. A copy of the written notice to the State licensing agency and the State licensing agency's acknowledgement shall be provided to the Secretary.

(d) When, after a written notice has been provided under paragraph (c) of this section, the State licensing agency determines that the number of persons using the Federal property is or will be insufficient to support a vending, facility, and the Secretary concurs with such determination, the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply. The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall also not apply when fewer than 100 Federal Government employees are or will be located during normal working hours in the building to be acquired or otherwise occupied or when such building contains less than 15,000 square feet of interior space to be utilized for Federal Government purposes in the case of buildings in which services are to be provided to the public.

(e) The operation of a vending facility established under pre-existing arrangements shall not be affected by the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall further not preclude future arrangements under which vending facilities to be operated by blind vendors may be established in buildings of a size or with an employee population less than that specified in paragraph (d) of this section: Provided, that both the State licensing agency and the Federal property managing department, agency or instrumentality concur in such establishment.

(f) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the United States, when leasing property in privately owned buildings, shall make every effort to lease property capable of accommodating a vending facility. When, however, such department, agency, or instrumentality is leasing part of a privately owned building in which prior to the execution of the lease, the lessor or any of his tenants had in operation or had entered into a contract for the operation of a restaurant or other food facility in a part of the building not included in such lease and the operation of a vending facility by a blind vendor would be in proximate and substantial direct competition with such restaurant or other food facility, the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section shall not apply.     <Return to TOC>

395.32 Collection and Distribution of Vending Machine Income from Vending Machines on Federal Property.
(a) The on-site official responsible for the Federal property of each property managing department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, in accordance with established procedures of such department, agency, or instrumentality, shall be responsible for the collection of, and accounting for, vending machine income from vending machines on Federal property under his control and shall otherwise ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.

(b) Effective January 2, 1975, 100 per centum of all vending machine income from vending machines on Federal property which are in direct competition with a vending facility operated by a blind vendor shall accrue to the State licensing agency which shall disburse such income to such blind vendor operating such vending facility on such property provided that the total amount of such income accruing to such blind vendor does not exceed the maximum amount determined under SS 395.8(a). In the event that there is income from such vending machines in excess of the maximum amount which may be disbursed to the blind vendor under SS 395.8(a), such additional income shall accrue to the State licensing agency for purposes determined in accordance with SS 395.8(c).

(c) Effective January 2, 1975, 50 per centum of all vending machine income from vending machines on Federal property which are not in direct competition with a vending facility operated by a blind vendor shall accrue to the State licensing agency which shall disburse such income to the blind vendor operating such vending facility on such property. In the event that there is no blind vendor, such income shall accrue to the State licensing agency, except as indicated under paragraph (d) of this section. The total amount of such income disbursed to such blind vendor shall not exceed the maximum amount determined under SS 395.8(a). In the event that there is income from such vending machines in excess of the maximum amount which may accrue to the blind vendor under SS 395.8(a), such additional income shall accrue to the State licensing agency for purposes determined in accordance with SS 395.8(c).

(d) Effective January 2, 1975, 30 per centum of all vending machine income from vending machines, which are not in direct competition with a vending facility operated by a blind vendor and which are on Federal property at which at least 50 per centum of the total hours worked on the premises occurs during a period other than normal working hours, shall accrue to the State licensing agency which shall disburse such income to the blind vendor operating a vending facility on such property. In the event that there is no blind vendor on such property, such income shall accrue to the State licensing agency. The total amount of such income disbursed to such blind vendor shall not exceed the maximum amount determined under SS 395.8(a). In the event that there is income from such vending machines in excess of the maximum amount which may be disbursed to the blind vendor under SS 395.8(a), such additional income shall accrue to the State licensing agency for purposes determined in accordance with SS 395.8(c).

(e) The determination that a vending machine on Federal property is in direct competition with a vending facility operated by a blind vendor shall be the responsibility of the on-site official responsible for the Federal property of each property managing department, agency or instrumentality of the United States, subject to the concurrence of the State licensing agency.

(f) In the case of vending machine income which, prior to the effective date of this part, has been disbursed to a blind vendor by a property managing department, agency, or instrumentality from proceeds which accrued from operations subsequent to January 2, 1975, pursuant to agreements in effect prior to such time, such income may be deducted, at the discretion of such property managing department, agency or instrumentality, from vending machine income due to the State licensing agency under paragraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this section.

(g) The collection of vending machine income and its disbursement to the appropriate State licensing agency shall be conducted on at least a quarterly basis.

(h) All arrangements pertaining to the operation of vending machines on Federal property not covered by contract with, or by permits issued to, State licensing agencies, shall be renegotiated upon the expiration of the existing contract or other arrangement for consistency with the provisions of this section.

(i) The provisions of this section shall not apply to income from vending machines within operated retail sales outlets under the control of post exchange or ships' stores systems authorized under Title 10 of the United States Code; to income from vending machines operated by the Veterans Canteen Service; or to income from vending machines not in direct competition with a blind vending facility at individual locations, installations, or facilities on Federal property the total of which at such individual locations, installations, or facilities does not exceed $3,000 annually.

(j) The provisions of this section shall not operate to preclude preexisting or future arrangements, or regulations of departments, agencies, or instrumentalities of the United States, under which blind vendors or State licensing agencies may:

1. Receive a greater percentage or amount of vending machine income than that specified in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section, or

2. Receive vending machine income from individual locations, installations, or facilities on Federal property the total of which at such individual locations, installations, or facilities does not exceed $3,000 annually.     <Return to TOC>

395.33 Operation of Cafeterias by Blind Vendors.

(a) Priority in the operation of cafeterias by blind vendors on Federal property shall be afforded when the Secretary determines, on an individual basis, and after consultation with the appropriate property managing department, agency, or instrumentality, that such operation can be provided at a reasonable cost, with food of a high quality comparable to that currently provided employees, whether by contract or otherwise. Such operation shall be expected to provide maximum employment opportunities to blind vendors to the greatest extent possible.

(b) In order to establish the ability of blind vendors to operate a cafeteria in such a manner as to provide food service at comparable cost and of comparable high quality as that available from other providers of cafeteria services, the appropriate State licensing agency shall be invited to respond to solicitations for offers when a cafeteria contract is contemplated by the appropriate property managing department, agency, or instrumentality. Such solicitations for offers shall establish criteria under which all responses will be judged. Such criteria may include sanitation practices, personnel, staffing, menu pricing and portion sizes, menu variety, budget and accounting practices. If the proposal received from the State licensing agency is judged to be within a competitive range and has been ranked among those proposals which have a reasonable chance of being selected for final award, the property managing department, agency, or instrumentality shall consult with the Secretary as required under paragraph (a). of this section. If the State licensing agency is dissatisfied with an action taken relative to its proposal, it may file a complaint with the Secretary under the provisions of SS 395.37.

(c) All contracts or other existing arrangements pertaining to the operation of cafeterias on Federal property not covered by contract with, or by permits issued to, State licensing agencies shall be renegotiated subsequent to the effective date of this part on or before the expiration of such contracts or other arrangements pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, Federal property managing departments, agencies, and instrumentalities may afford priority in the operation of cafeterias by blind vendors on Federal property through direct negotiations with State licensing agencies whenever such department, agency, or instrumentality determines, on an individual basis, that such operation can be provided at a reasonable cost, with food of a high quality comparable to that currently provided employees: Provided, however, that the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall apply in the event that the negotiations authorized by this paragraph do not result in a contract.     <Return to TOC>

395.34 Application for Permits.
    Applications for permits for the operation of vending facilities other than cafeterias shall be made in writing on the appropriate form, and submitted for the review and approval of the head of the Federal property managing department, agency, or instrumentality.     <Return to TOC>

395.35 Terms of Permit.

    Every permit shall describe the location of the vending facility including any vending machines located on other than the facility premises and shall be subject to the following provisions:

(a) The permit shall be issued in the name of the applicant State licensing agency which shall:

(1) Prescribe such procedures as are necessary to assure that in the selection of vendors and employees for vending facilities there shall be no discrimination because of sex, race, age, creed, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, or political affiliation; and

(2) Take the necessary action to assure that vendors do not discriminate against any person or persons in furnishing, or by refusing to furnish, to such person or persons the use of any vending facility, including any and services, privileges, accommodations, and activities provided thereby, and comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and regulations issued pursuant thereto.

(b) The permit shall be issued for an indefinite period of time subject to suspension or termination on the basis of compliance with agreed upon terms.
(c) The permit shall provide that:

(1) No charge shall be made to the State licensing agency for normal cleaning, maintenance, and repair of the building, structure in and adjacent to the vending facility areas;

(2) Cleaning necessary for sanitation, and the maintenance of vending facilities and vending machines in an orderly condition at all times, and the installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, servicing, and removal of vending facility equipment shall be without cost to the department, agency, or instrumentality responsible for the maintenance of the Federal property; and

(3) Articles sold at vending facilities operated by blind licensees may consist of newspapers, periodicals, publications, confections, tobacco products, foods, beverages, chances for any lottery authorized by State law and conducted by an agency of a State within such State, and other articles or services as are determined by the State licensing agency, in consultation with the on-site official responsible for the Federal property of the property managing department, agency or instrumentality, to be suitable for a particular location. Such articles and services may be dispensed automatically or manually and may be prepared on or off the premises in accordance with all applicable health laws.

(d) The permit shall further provide that vending facilities shall be operated in compliance with applicable health, sanitation, and building codes or ordinances.

(e) The permit shall further provide that installation, modification, relocation, removal, and renovation of vending facilities shall be subject to the prior approval and supervision of the on-site official responsible for the Federal property of the property managing department, agency, or instrumentality, and the State licensing agency; that costs of relocations initiated by the State licensing agency shall be paid by the State licensing agency; and that costs of relocations initiated by the department, agency, or instrumentality shall be borne by such department, agency, or instrumentality.

(f) The operation of a cafeteria by a blind vendor shall be covered by a contractual agreement and not by a permit. <Return to TOC>
395.36 Enforcement Procedures.
(a) The State licensing agency shall attempt to resolve day-to-day problems pertaining to the operation of the vending facility in an informal manner with the participation of the blind vendor and the on-site official responsible for the property of the property managing department, agency, or instrumentality as necessary.
(b) Unresolved disagreements concerning the terms of the permit, the Act, or the regulations in this part and any other unresolved matters shall be reported in writing to the State licensing agency supervisory personnel by the Regional or other appropriate official of the Federal property managing department, agency, or instrumentality in an attempt to resolve the issue.     <Return to TOC>

395.37 Arbitration of State Licensing Agency Complaints.

(a) Whenever any State licensing agency determines that any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States which has control of the maintenance, operation, and protection of Federal property is failing to comply with the provisions of the Act or of this part and all informal attempts to resolve the issues have been unsuccessful, such licensing agency may file a complaint with the Secretary.

(b) Upon receipt of a complaint filed under paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary shall convene an ad hoc arbitration panel which shall, in accordance with the provisions of 5 USC. ch. 5, subchapter II, give notice, conduct a hearing and render its decision which shall be final and binding on the parties except that such decision shall be subject to appeal and review as a final agency action for purposes of the provisions of 5 USC. ch. 7. The arbitration panel convened by the Secretary to hear complaints filed by a State licensing agency shall be composed of three members appointed as follows:

(1) One individual designated by the State licensing agency;

(2) One individual designated by the head of the Federal department, agency, or instrumentality controlling the Federal property over which the dispute arose; and

(3) One individual, not employed by the Federal department, agency, or instrumentality controlling the Federal property over which the dispute arose, who shall be jointly designated by the other members of the panel and who shall serve as chairman of the panel.

(c) If either the State licensing agency or the head of the Federal department, agency, or instrumentality fails to designate a member of an arbitration panel, the Secretary shall designate such member on behalf of such party.

(d) If the panel finds that the acts or practices of any department, agency, or instrumentality are in violation of the Act or of this part, the head of any such department, agency, or instrumentality (subject to any appeal under paragraph (b) of this section) shall cause such acts or practices to be terminated promptly and shall take such other action as may be necessary to carry out the decision of the panel.

(e) The decisions of an arbitration panel convened by the Secretary under this section shall be matters of public record and shall be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

(f) The Secretary shall pay all reasonable costs of arbitration under this section in accordance with a schedule of fees and expenses which shall be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER.     <Return to TOC>

395.38 Reports

    At the end of each fiscal year, each property managing department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States shall report to the Secretary the total number of applications for vending facility locations received from State licensing agencies, the number accepted, the number denied, the number still pending, the total amount of vending machine income collected and the amount of such vending machine income disbursed to the State licensing agency in each State.     <Return to TOC>