Vending Facility Program for the Blind on DoD-Controlled Federal Property, 62234-62239 [E9-28356]

Agencies

• Office of the Secretary
• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 227 (Friday, November 27, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62234-62239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28356]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[DoD-2008-OS-0009; RIN 0790-AH77]

32 CFR Part 260


Vending Facility Program for the Blind on DoD-Controlled Federal 
Property

AGENCY: Department of Defense.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule reinstates Department of Defense regulations 
related to the vending facility program for the blind on DoD-controlled 
Federal property. This rule shall not apply to military dining 
facilities that are subject to and defined in section 856 of the John 
Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective December 28, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Olivia Smith, 703-602-4601.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Summary

    The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on January 
16, 2009 (74 FR 2932-2935). In response to the proposed rule, the DoD 
received 93 submissions with 310 comments during the 60-day comment 
period. 87 of the submissions contained three identical comments. Other 
comments fell into one of the following categories: Expanding the scope 
of the rule beyond the Randolph-Sheppard Act (R-SA) as implemented by 
the Department of Education (DoEd) in 34 CFR 395; the military dining 
exclusion; definitions; the military exchange exemption; references to 
DoD policies; allocation and billing of costs; leasing of privately-
owned buildings with existing food facilities; and arbitration.

B. Identical Comments

    1. Comment: Make a statement that the DoD intends to comply with 
the letter and the spirit of the R-SA.
    Response: DoD's policy to extend priority to the blind when 
implementing the R-SA is contained in section 260.4.
    2. Ensure that the language of the final regulations is consistent 
with and preferably identical to regulations issued by the DoEd and 
with the language of the R-SA.
    Response: The language in the rule is consistent with the DoED 
regulations. One variation is the definition of ``cafeteria,'' which 
uses the exact definition contained in the R-SA and 34 CFR 395.1(d), 
and adds, ``The DoD Component food dispensing facilities that conduct 
cafeteria-type operations during part of their normal operating day and 
full table-service operations during the remainder of their normal 
operating day are not ``cafeterias'' if they engage primarily in full 
table service operations.'' DoD added this language to ensure that DoD 
food dispensing facilities that use a serving line for only a brief 
portion of the day are not considered cafeterias for the purpose of the 
Final Rule.
    3. Clarify that the R-SA priority applies to all vending 
operations, even when the DoD would not be required to provide a 
suitable location, and that when there is a change in the contract or 
permit, the vending opportunity must be re-offered to the State 
Licensing Agency (SLA) even if that agency has previously declined to 
exercise the R-SA priority.
    Response: Section 260.4 gives the blind priority in the 
establishment and operation of vending facilities, except those vending 
facilities to which the R-SA does not apply. An SLA shall not forfeit 
the R-SA priority for future contract solicitations or permits by 
declining the priority for an earlier solicitation. However, there is 
no requirement in the R-SA that the DoD terminate an existing contract 
because an SLA that previously declined a priority asserts the priority 
at a later date.''

C. Additional Comments

    1. Expanding the Scope of the Rule. Several comments suggested 
changes to expand the scope of the rule beyond the provisions of the R-
SA and the DoEd's implementing rule (34 CFR 395).
    Response: The DoD rule is consistent with 34 CFR 395, and DoD does 
not have the authority to expand the scope beyond the RSA. One comment 
proposed expanding the rule to establish a priority in the operation of 
vending operations even when the proposed location does not contain a 
suitable location. This suggestion, which would apparently cover 
situations when DoD is leasing space in privately owned buildings, is 
inconsistent with 20 USC 107a(d)(2). A second comment proposed changing 
the definition of ``individual installation, location or facility,'' 
but the DoD rule uses the definition contained at 34 CFR 395.1(h). A 
third comment asked DoD to alter the arbitration procedures delineated 
at 34 CFR 395.37 by deleting the word ``all'' from section 260.6(f) of 
the proposed rule. However, section 395.37(a) specifically uses the 
word ``all'' when referring to informal efforts to resolve issues of 
noncompliance.
    2. Military Dining Exclusion. Several of the comments recommended 
deletion of references to and the definition of military dining 
facilities.
    Response: Section 260.4(b) has been modified to exclude reference 
to Section 856 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2007, since it only applies to military dining 
facilities. The definition of military dining facilities is necessary 
to explain that the rule does not apply to such facilities.
    3. Definitions. Several of the comments recommended changes to 
definitions.
    Response: The definitions are consistent with the definitions in 34 
CFR 395. The one variation occurs in the definition of ``cafeteria,'' 
where the proposed rule uses the same definition as 34 CFR 395.1(d), 
but adds, ``the DoD Component food dispensing facilities that conduct 
cafeteria-type operations during part of their normal operating day and 
full table-service operations during the remainder of their normal 
operating day are not ``cafeterias'' if they engage primarily in full 
table service operations.'' DoD added this language to ensure that DoD 
food dispensing facilities that use a serving line for only a brief 
portion of the day are not considered cafeterias for the purpose of the 
Final Rule. A second comment proposed changing the definition of 
``individual installation, location or facility.'' However, the final 
rule uses the same definition contained at 34 CFR 395.1(h).
    4. Military Exchange Exemption. Several of the comments recommended 
limitations on the income-sharing exemption for vending machines 
operated by or for the military exchanges or ships store systems.
    Response: The income-sharing exemption for vending machines 
operated by or for the military exchanges or ships store systems is 
codified at Sec.  107d-3(d) of the R-SA and 34 CFR 395.32(h)(1), and 
the rule is consistent with both.
    5. References to DoD Policies. Several of the comments recommended 
deleting references to DoD policies that may be changed without public 
notice, comment, or other opportunity for stakeholders to be consulted.
    Response: Any DoD publication that grants a right or privilege to 
the public or has a substantial or direct impact on any significant 
portion of the public is required to be published. Since 32 CFR 260 
prescribes implementation of the R-SA within the DoD, it is necessary 
to reference applicable DoD policies and publications. The DoD 
publications referenced in the Final Rule are available on the internet 
at https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives.

[[Page 62235]]

    6. Allocation and Billing of Costs. One commenter recommended using 
more explicit language in 260.6(b)(4) to specify the methodology for 
allocating costs, prohibiting retroactive or prospective billing, 
limiting costs to similar costs charged to other food vendors, 
including military exchanges and commercial enterprises, and adapting 
charges as the number of people using the facility fluctuates.
    Response: Pursuant to the comment, we have removed the language at 
section 260.6(b)(4) of the final rule and inserted language consistent 
with 34 CFR 395.35, which provides that the permit shall state (1) no 
charge shall be made to the State Licensing agency for the cost of 
normal cleaning, maintenance, and repair of the building structure in 
and adjacent to the vending facility areas, and (2) no charge shall be 
made to the DoD for the cost of 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.
    7. Leasing of Privately-Owned Buildings with Existing Food 
Facilities. One comment recommended adding language that DoD components 
should avoid leasing all or part of a privately-owned building in which 
there is an existing food facility that would be in direct competition 
with a R-SA operation, resulting in the absence of a requirement to 
provide a satisfactory site.
    Response: This comment is inconsistent with 20 U.S.C. 
107a(d)(2)(B), which exempts from the R-SA privately owned buildings 
``any part of which is leased by any department, agency or 
instrumentality of the United States and in which, (i) prior to the 
execution of such lease, the lessor or any of his tenants had in 
operation a restaurant or other food facility in a part of the building 
no included in such lease, and (ii) the operation of such a vending 
facility by a blind person would be in proximate and substantial direct 
competition with such restaurant or other food facility except that 
each such department, agency and instrumentality shall make every 
effort to lease property in privately owned buildings capable of 
accommodating a vending facility.'' Moreover, the suggested language 
would overly restrict the DoD's ability to lease facilities.
    8. Arbitration. One comment recommended deleting the word ``all'' 
in section 260.6(f) to clarify who has the authority to determine that 
all informal attempts to resolve the issues have been unsuccessful.
    Response: The final rule is consistent with 34 CFR 395.37(a), which 
specifically uses the word ``all'' when referring to informal efforts 
to resolve issues.

Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review''

    It has been certified that 32 CFR part 260 does not:
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 
adversely affect in a material way the economy; a section of the 
economy; productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public 
health or safety; or State, local, or tribunal governments or 
communities;
    (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another Agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and obligations of 
recipients thereof; or
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
this Executive Order.

Sec. 202, Public Law 104-4, ``Unfunded Mandates Reform Act''

    It has been certified that 32 CFR part 260 does not contain a 
Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local and 
tribunal governments, in aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any 1 year.

Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. 601)

    It has been certified that 32 CFR part 260 is not subject to the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) because it would not, if 
promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities. This rule is consistent with the Randolph-Sheppard 
Act (20 U.S.C. 107), the implementing regulations of the U.S. 
Department of Education (34 CFR part 395), and Section 856 of the John 
Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)

    It has been certified that 32 CFR part 260 does not impose 
reporting or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995.

Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''

    It has been certified that 32 CFR part 260 does not have federalism 
implications, as set forth in Executive Order 13132. This rule does not 
have substantial direct effects on:
    (1) The States;
    (2) The relationship between the National Government and the 
States; or
    (3) The distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of Government.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 260

    Persons with disabilities, Blind, Vending.

0
Accordingly, 32 CFR part 260 is added to read as follows:

PART 260--VENDING FACILITY PROGRAM FOR THE BLIND ON DOD-CONTROLLED 
FEDERAL PROPERTY

Sec.
260.1 Purpose.
260.2 Applicability.
260.3 Definitions.
260.4 Policy.
260.5 Responsibilities.
260.6 Procedures.
260.7 Information requirements.


Sec.  260.1  Purpose.

    This part:
    (a) Assigns responsibilities in compliance with 20 U.S.C. 107 et 
seq. and 34 CFR part 395 and establishes the following policies within 
the Department of Defense:
    (1) Uniform policies for application of priority accorded the blind 
to operate vending facilities;
    (2) Requirements for satisfactory vending facility sites on DoD-
controlled property; and
    (3) Vending machine income-sharing requirements on DoD-controlled 
property
    (b) Prescribes requirements and operating procedures for the 
vending facility program for the blind on DoD-controlled property.
    (c) Does NOT apply to full food services, mess attendant services, 
or services supporting the operation of a military dining facility.


Sec.  260.2  Applicability.

    This part applies to:
    (a) Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, 
the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint 
Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of 
the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the Department of 
Defense Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the 
Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as the ``DoD 
Components'').
    (b) Vending facility sites on DoD-controlled property.


Sec.  260.3  Definitions.

    Blind licensee. A blind person licensed by the State licensing 
agency to

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operate a vending facility on DoD-controlled property.
    Cafeteria. A food dispensing facility capable of providing a broad 
variety of prepared foods and beverages (including hot meals) primarily 
through the use of a line where the customer serves himself or herself 
from displayed selections. A cafeteria may be fully automatic, or some 
limited waiter or waitress service may be available and provided within 
a cafeteria and table or booth seating facilities are always provided. 
The DoD Component food dispensing facilities that conduct cafeteria-
type operations during part of their normal operating day and full 
table-service operations during the remainder of their normal operating 
day are not ``cafeterias'' if they engage primarily in full table 
service operations.
    Direct competition. The presence and operation of a DoD Component 
vending machine or a vending facility on the same DoD-controlled 
property as a vending facility operated by a blind vendor. Vending 
machines or vending facilities operated in areas serving employees, the 
majority of whom normally do not have 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.
    DoD-controlled property. Federal property that is owned, leased, or 
occupied by DoD.
    Federal employees. Civilian appropriated fund and nonappropriated 
fund employees of the United States.
    Federal property. Any building, land, or other real property owned, 
leased, or occupied by DoD in the United States.
    Individual location, installation, or facility. A single building 
or a self-contained group of buildings. A self-contained group of 
buildings refers to two or more buildings that must be located in close 
proximity to each other and between which a majority of the Federal 
employees working in such buildings regularly move from one building to 
another in the normal course of their official business during a normal 
working day.
    License. A written instrument issued by a State licensing agency to 
a blind person, authorizing that person to operate a vending facility 
on DoD-controlled property.
    Military dining facility. A facility owned, operated, or leased and 
wholly controlled by DoD and used to provide dining services to members 
of the Armed Forces, including a cafeteria, military mess hall, 
military troop dining facility, or any similar dining facility operated 
for the purpose of providing meals to members of the Armed Forces.
    Normal working hours. An 8-hour work period between the approximate 
hours of 0800 and 1800, Monday through Friday.
    On-site official. The individual in command of an installation or 
separate facility or location. For the Pentagon Reservation only, the 
Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Director of the Defense 
Facilities Directorate is designated as the on-site official.
    Permit. The official approval given a State licensing agency by a 
department, agency, or instrumentality responsible for DoD-controlled 
property whereby the State licensing agency is authorized to establish 
a vending facility.
    Satisfactory site. An area fully accessible to vending facility 
patrons and having sufficient electrical, plumbing, heating, and 
ventilation outlets for the location and operation of a vending 
facility in compliance with applicable health laws and building 
requirements. A ``satisfactory site'' shall have a minimum of 250 
square feet available for sale of items and for storage of articles 
necessary for the operation of a vending facility.
    State. A state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, a territory, or possession of the United States.
    State licensing agency. The State agency designated by the 
Secretary of Education, to issue licenses to blind persons for the 
operation of vending facilities on Federal and other property.
    Substantial alteration or renovation. A permanent material change 
in the floor area of a building that would render it appropriate for 
the location and operation of a vending facility by a blind vendor.
    United States. The several States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the 
United States.
    Vending facility. Automatic vending machines, cafeterias, snack 
bars, cart service, shelters, counters, and such other appropriate 
auxiliary equipment that may be operated by blind licensees and that 
are necessary for the sale of newspapers, periodicals, confections, 
tobacco products, foods, beverages, and other articles and services to 
be dispensed automatically or manually and that are prepared on or off 
the premises according to applicable health laws. Also includes 
facilities providing the vending or exchange of chances for any lottery 
authorized by State law and conducted by an agency of a State within 
such State.
    Vending machine. For the purposes of assigning vending machine 
income, a coin or currency operated machine that 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.
    Vending machine income. (1) DoD Component receipts from the DoD 
Component vending machine operations on DoD-controlled property, where 
the machines are operated by any DoD Component activity, less costs 
incurred; or
    (2) Commissions received by any DoD Component activity from a 
commercial vending firm that provides vending machines on DoD-
controlled property.
    (3) ``Costs incurred'' include costs of goods, including reasonable 
service and maintenance costs in accordance with customary business 
practices of commercial vending concerns, repair, cleaning, 
depreciation, supervisory and administrative personnel, normal 
accounting, and accounting for income-sharing.
    Vendor. A blind licensee who is operating a vending facility on 
DoD-controlled property.


Sec.  260.4  Policy.

    It is DoD policy that a DoD Component having accountability for 
real property shall extend priority on such property to the blind when 
implementing the Randolph-Sheppard Act, as set out in the following 
paragraphs:
    (a) The blind shall be given priority in the establishment and 
operation of vending facilities.
    (b) The blind shall be given priority in the award of contracts to 
operate cafeterias.
    (c) In conjunction with acquisition or substantial alteration or 
renovation of a building, satisfactory sites shall be provided for 
operation of blind vending facilities.
    (d) Specified income from vending machines operated on DoD-
controlled property by a DoD Component either directly or by contract 
shall be given to State licensing agencies.


Sec.  260.5  Responsibilities.

    (a) The Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel 
and Readiness (PDUSD(P&R)), under the Under Secretary of Defense for 
Personnel and Readiness, shall establish policies and procedures and 
monitor the Vending Facility Program.

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    (b) The Heads of the DoD Components, in monitoring their respective 
programs, shall:
    (1) Approve or disapprove State licensing agency applications for 
permits and the provision of satisfactory sites;
    (2) Issue policies and procedures to designate and establish 
responsibilities of the on-site official;
    (3) Suspend or terminate a permit to operate a vending facility 
after consulting with the PDUSD(P&R) where circumstances warrant.
    (4) Ensure appropriate real property outgrants are accomplished in 
accordance with DoDI 4165.70, ``Real Property Management,'' \1\ and 
consistent with the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. 107) and the 
implementing regulations (34 CFR part 395).
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    \1\ Available from https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html/416570.htm.
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    (5) The On-Site Official shall be the point of contact with State 
licensing agencies and shall:
    (i) Consult with State licensing agencies on articles and services 
to be provided;
    (ii) Establish appropriate limitations on the location or operation 
of a vending facility upon finding that the granting of a priority 
under the Act would adversely affect the interests of the United 
States. The On-Site Official shall justify this limitation in writing 
through the Head of the DoD Component concerned and the PDUSD(P&R) to 
the Secretary of Education for determination of whether the limitation 
is warranted.
    (iii) Notify State licensing agencies of acquisition or substantial 
alteration or renovation of property;
    (iv) Negotiate with State licensing agencies on other matters and 
adhere to guidance provided in Sec.  260.6 of this part.


Sec.  260.6  Procedures.

    The DoD Components in control of the maintenance, operation, and 
protection of Federal property shall take necessary action to ensure 
the requirements set forth in this Section are implemented for these 
properties.
    (a) The blind have a priority to operate vending facilities on DoD 
property, whenever feasible, in light of appropriate space and 
potential patronage. Implementation of this priority is not required 
when:
    (1) The number of people using the property is or will be 
insufficient to support a vending facility; or
    (2) The Secretary of Education determines that the limitation on 
the placement or operation of a vending facility is warranted pursuant 
to 260.5(b)(5)(ii), which is binding on the DoD Component. Notice of 
the Secretary of Education's determination will be published in the 
Federal Register.
    (b) Applications for permits by the State licensing agency to 
operate vending facilities (except cafeterias) on DoD-controlled 
property must be submitted in writing to the Head of the DoD Component 
concerned through the on-site official. When an application is not 
approved, the Head of the DoD Component concerned shall advise the 
State licensing agency in writing and shall indicate the reasons for 
the disapproval. Permits shall describe the location of the vending 
facility and shall be subject to the following requirements:
    (1) The permit shall be issued in the name of the State licensing 
agency.
    (2) The permit shall be issued for an indefinite period of time 
subject to suspension or termination upon failure to comply with 
agreed-upon terms. It shall be subject to termination by either party 
on 60 days' written notice to the other party, in cases of:
    (i) Inactivation of the installation or activity.
    (ii) Loss of use of a building or other facility housing the 
vending facility.
    (iii) Change in the DoD Component's requirements for service.
    (iv) Inability of the State licensing agency to continue to operate 
the vending facility.
    (3) The permit shall provide:
    (i) No charge shall be made by the DoD Component to the State 
licensing agency for normal repair and maintenance of the building, 
cleaning areas adjacent to the designated vending facility boundaries, 
or trash removal from a designated collection point (not to include any 
hazardous waste).
    (ii) The State licensing agency shall be responsible for cleaning 
and maintaining the vending facility appearance and its security within 
the designated boundaries of such facility and for all costs of every 
kind in conjunction with vending facility equipment, merchandise, and 
other products to be sold, except as provided in paragraph (b)(3)(v) of 
this section. Neither party shall be responsible for loss or damage to 
the other's property, unless caused by its acts or omissions. The State 
licensing agency shall also be responsible for the acts or omissions of 
the blind vendor, the vendor's employees, or agents.
    (iii) Articles sold at such vending facilities 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 traditionally found in blind-operated vending facilities 
operated under 20 U.S.C. 107, as determined by the State licensing 
agency, in consultation with the on-site official, to be suitable for a 
particular location. Articles and services may be automatically or 
manually dispensed.
    (iv) Vending facilities shall be operated in compliance with 
applicable Federal, state, interstate and local laws and regulations, 
including those concerning health and sanitation, the environment, and 
building codes.
    (v) Installation, modification, relocation, removal, and renovation 
of vending facilities shall be subject to the prior approval of the on-
site official and the State licensing agency. The initiating party 
shall pay the costs of installation, modification, removal, relocation, 
or renovation. In any case of suspension or termination of a permit to 
operate a vending facility on the basis of noncompliance by either 
party, the costs of removal from the building shall be borne by the 
non-complying party.
    (4) The permit shall state that no charge shall be made to the 
State Licensing Authority for the cost of normal cleaning, maintenance, 
and repair of the building structure in and adjacent to the vending 
facility areas, and no charge shall be made to the DoD for the cost of 
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.
    (5) In the event the blind licensee fails to provide satisfactory 
service or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of the 
permit issued to the State licensing agency, the on-site official 
shall, after coordinating with the Head of the DoD Component, notify 
the State licensing agency of this deficiency in writing and request 
corrective action within a specified reasonable time. The notice shall 
indicate that failure to correct the deficiency shall result in 
temporary suspension or termination of the permit, as appropriate. 
Suspension or termination action shall be taken by the Head of the DoD 
Component concerned after consultation with the PDUSD(P&R).
    (c) Any DoD Component-acquired (purchased, rented, leased, or 
constructed), substantially altered, or renovated building is required 
to have one or more satisfactory sites for a blind-operated vending 
facility, except as provided in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.

[[Page 62238]]

    (1) A determination that a building contains a satisfactory site or 
sites is presumed if the State licensing agency and the on-site 
official consult and agree that the site or sites provided are 
satisfactory.
    (i) The Heads of the DoD Components shall notify the appropriate 
State licensing agency \2\ by certified or registered mail, return 
receipt requested, of buildings to be acquired or substantially altered 
or renovated. This notification shall be provided at least 60 days in 
advance of the intended acquisition date or the initiation of actual 
construction, alteration, or renovation. As a practical matter, the 
State licensing agency should be contacted early in the planning or 
design stage of a project. This notification shall:
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    \2\ See the U.S. Department of Education Web site, Office of 
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at https://www.ed.gov.
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    (A) State that a satisfactory site(s) for the location and 
operation of a blind vending facility is (are) included in the plans 
for the building.
    (B) Include a copy of a single line drawing indicating the proposed 
location of such site(s).
    (C) Advise the State licensing agency that, subject to the approval 
of the DoD Component, it shall be offered the opportunity to select the 
location and type of vending facility to be operated by a blind vendor 
prior to completion of the final space layout of the building.
    (ii) Advise that the State licensing agency must respond within 30 
days to the DoD Component, acknowledging receipt of the correspondence 
from the DoD Component and indicating whether it is interested in 
establishing a vending facility and, if interested, signifying its 
agreement or alternate selection of a location and its selection of 
type of vending facility. A copy of the written notice to the State 
licensing agency and the State licensing agency's response, if any, 
shall be provided to the Secretary of Education.
    (iii) If the State licensing agency's response to the DoD Component 
indicates it does not desire to establish and operate a vending 
facility and sets forth any specific basis other than the insufficiency 
of patrons to support a vending facility, or if the State licensing 
agency does not respond within 30 days, then a site meeting the 
anticipated needs of the DoD Component shall be incorporated. Each such 
site shall have a minimum of 250 square feet for sale of items and for 
storage of articles necessary for the operation of a vending facility.
    (iv) If the State licensing agency indicates that the number of 
persons using the property is or will be insufficient to support a 
vending facility, then a satisfactory site to be operated under the 
auspices of the State licensing agency shall not be incorporated. The 
On-Site Official shall, through the Head of the DoD component, notify 
the Secretary of Education of the State licensing agency's response.
    (2) The requirement to provide a satisfactory site shall not apply:
    (i) When fewer than 100 Federal employees (as defined in Sec.  
260.3 of this part) are located in the building during normal working 
hours; or
    (ii) When the building contains fewer than 15,000 square feet to be 
used for Federal Government purposes and the Federal Government space 
is used to provide services to the general public.
    (iii) The provisions of paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and (c)(2)(ii) of this 
section do not preclude arrangements under which blind vending 
facilities may be established in buildings of a size or with an 
employee population less than that specified. For example, if a 
building is to be constructed that will contain only 30 Federal 
employees, upon agreement of the on-site official and the State 
licensing agency, the DoD Component may decide to provide a 
satisfactory site for a blind vending facility.
    (3) When a DoD Component is leasing all or part of a privately 
owned building in which the lessor or any of its tenants have an 
existing restaurant or other food facility in a part of the building 
not covered by the lease and operation of a vending facility would be 
in substantial direct competition with such restaurant or other food 
operation, the requirement to provide a satisfactory site does not 
apply.
    (d) Vending machine income generated by the Department of Defense 
shall be shared with State licensing agencies as prescribed in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section. The on-site official is responsible 
for collecting and accounting for such vending machine income (as 
defined in Sec.  260.3 of this part) and for ensuring compliance with 
the requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) The vending machine income-sharing requirements are as follows:
    (i) One hundred percent of the vending machine income from vending 
machines in direct competition with blind-operated vending facilities 
shall be provided to the State licensing agency.
    (ii) Fifty percent of the vending machine income from vending 
machines not in direct competition with blind-operated vending 
facilities shall be provided to the State licensing agency.
    (iii) Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, thirty 
percent of the vending machine income from vending machines not in 
direct competition with blind-operated vending facilities and located 
where at least fifty percent of the total hours worked on the premises 
occurs during other than normal working hours (as defined in Sec.  
260.3 of this part) shall be provided to the State licensing agency.
    (2) The determination of whether a vending machine is in direct 
competition with the blind-operated vending facility is the 
responsibility of the on-site official subject to the concurrence of 
the State licensing agency.
    (3) These vending machine income-sharing requirements do not apply 
to:
    (i) Income from vending machines operated by or for the military 
exchanges or ships' store systems; or
    (ii) Income from vending machines, not in direct competition with a 
blind-operated vending facility, at any individual location, 
installation, or facility where the total of the vending machine income 
from all such machines at such location, installation, or facility does 
not exceed $3,000 annually.
    (4) The payment to State licensing agencies under these income-
sharing requirements must be made quarterly on a fiscal year basis.
    (e) Pursuant to 34 CFR 395.37, whenever any State licensing agency 
for the blind determines that any DoD activity is failing to comply 
with the provisions of 20 U.S.C. 107 and all informal attempts to 
resolve the issues have been unsuccessful, the State licensing agency 
may file a complaint with the Secretary of Education.


Sec.  260.7  Information requirements.

    Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the DoD 
Components shall forward to the PDUSD(P&R) 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 (as 
defined in Sec.  260.3 of this part, excluding income exempt from the 
income sharing requirements by Sec.  260.6(d)(3) of this part), and the 
amount of such vending machine income disbursed to State licensing 
agencies in each State. These reporting requirements have been assigned 
Report Control Symbol DD-P&R(A)2210, according to DoD 8910.1-M, 
``Department of Defense Procedures for

[[Page 62239]]

Management of Information Requirements.'' \3\
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    \3\ Available from https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/891001m.pdf.

    Dated: November 20, 2009.
Patricia L. Toppings,
OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. E9-28356 Filed 11-25-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P