Report of the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program

The Randolph-Sheppard Act (Act) provides persons who are blind with remunerative employment and self-support through the operation of vending facilities on Federal and other property. The program, enacted into law in 1936, was intended to enhance employment opportunities for trained, licensed blind persons to operate vending facilities. At the outset, the program placed sundry stands in the lobbies of Federal office buildings and post offices, selling such items as newspapers, magazines, candies, and tobacco products. The law was subsequently amended in 1954 and again in 1974 to ensure individuals who are blind a priority in the operation of vending facilities, which now include cafeterias, military dining facilities, snack bars, interstate highway rest areas, and automatic vending machines on Federal property. Most States also have programs that include State, county, municipal, and private installations. The licensing and operation of vending facilities by blind vendors under the Act is supported by a combination of VR program funds, State appropriations, Federal vending machine income, and levied set asides from vendors. As required by 20 U.S.C. 107a(6)(a), the Secretary of Education, through the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), conducts periodic evaluations of the programs authorized under the Act. In addition, section 107b(4) requires entities designated as the State licensing agency (SLA) to “make such reports in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may from time to time require….” The information to be collected is a necessary component of the evaluation process and forms the basis for reporting to the Department. The data are also used to understand the distribution type and profitability of vending facilities throughout the country. Such information is useful in providing technical assistance to SLAs and property managers and in monitoring the implementation of the program. The Code of Federal Regulations, at 34 CFR 395.8, specifies that vending machine income received by the State from Federal property managers can be distributed to blind vendors in an amount not to exceed the national average income for blind vendors. This amount is determined through data collected by the RSA-15: Report of Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program. In addition, the collection of information ensures the provision and transparency of activities referenced in 34 CFR 395.12 related to disclosure of program and financial information and assists with the requirement in 34 CFR 395.11 regarding the provision of training. This information collection (IC) will be implemented upon the expiration of the current IC on October 31, 2026; however, it is requested to begin the use of this form and the new instructions for the FY 2026 data collection beginning on October 1, 2026. The 51 SLAs will submit their data through the RSAMIS on the rsa.ed.gov website during the 90-day data collection period (10/1/2026-12/30/2026).

The latest form for Report of the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program expires 2029-07-31 and is listed under ICR 202602-1820-001.