Resolution 2024-11 - Promoting Military Dining Facilities

Resolution 2024-11 -Promoting Military Dining Facilities

Submitted by Ardis Bazyn on behalf of Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA)

Whereas, the primary purpose of the Randolph-Sheppard Act is to provide employment opportunities and economic benefits for vendors throughout the United States who are blind or have low vision; and

Whereas, the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA), an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, works for the expansion of the Randolph-Sheppard program and for the protection of the interests of blind and low-vision persons engaged in the operation of vending facilities under that program; and

Whereas, as one means of accomplishing these goals, RSVA tracks major decisions across the country affecting the Randolph-Sheppard Program; and

Whereas, state agencies overseeing the Randolph-Sheppard Program provide opportunities for blind and low vision vendors in federal, state, county, and military facilities; and

Whereas, the Department of Defense (DOD) solicits multi-state military dining contract bids; and

Whereas, under these solicitations, DOD requires one entity to be the lead for the entire contract; and

Whereas, under the Randolph-Sheppard Act priority, states have the opportunity to bid against private companies on behalf of their blind and low vision vendors; and

Whereas, state Randolph-Sheppard program administrators are unwilling or unable to bid on multi-state contracts when one state would be the lead entity and others would be subordinate;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled virtually that ACB and RSVA will jointly urge the Department of Defense to work collaboratively with the Department of Education to eliminate any requirement for a lead contractor in multi-state military dining facility contracts in order to expand employment opportunities for blind and low vision individuals in the Randolph-Sheppard Program; and

Be it further resolved that this organization, along with RSVA, will take other actions as necessary to remove this barrier to the employment of blind and low-vision vendors.

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