Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program

This memorandum directs all federal agencies with property management responsibilities to ensure compliance with the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program, which gives priority to blind individuals to operate vending facilities on federal properties. It also requires the Secretary of Education to submit a report on agency implementation within one year.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 3917

Impact dates

Jan 20, 2013
Secretary of Education report to President on agencies' implementation of Randolph-Sheppard Program

Key directives

All agencies with property management responsibilities must ensure officials issue permits and contracts for vending facilities in compliance with the Randolph-Sheppard Program
Secretary of Education, through the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, must submit report to President on agencies' implementation within 1 year
Secretary of Education authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Agencies with property management responsibilities must ensure compliance with Randolph-Sheppard priority for vending facility permits and contracts

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Secretary of Education report on agency implementation due within 1 year; potential expansion of entrepreneurial opportunities for blind individuals on federal properties

Risks & tensions

No enforcement mechanism specified beyond reporting requirement
Memorandum explicitly disclaims creating enforceable rights or benefits, potentially limiting recourse for non-compliance
Relies on voluntary agency cooperation rather than punitive measures for non-compliance