[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 9, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26823-26824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11500]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Arbitration Panel Decision Under the Randolph-Sheppard Act

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of Arbitration Panel Decision Under the Randolph-
Sheppard Act.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on August 29, 1999, an arbitration 
panel rendered a decision in the matter of Michael L. Adams v. Michigan 
Commission for the Blind (Docket No. R-S/97-20). This panel was 
convened by the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 
107d-1(a) upon receipt of a complaint filed by petitioner, Michael L. 
Adams.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of the full text of the 
arbitration panel decision may be obtained from George F. Arsnow, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3230, Mary E. 
Switzer Building, Washington DC 20202-2738. Telephone: (202) 205-9317. 
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call 
the TDD number at (202) 205-8298.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding 
paragraph.

Electronic Access to This Document

    You may view this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe 
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    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code

[[Page 26824]]

of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 
U.S.C. 107d-2(c)) (the Act), the Secretary publishes in the Federal 
Register a synopsis of each arbitration panel decision affecting the 
administration of vending facilities on Federal and other property.

Background

    This dispute concerns the alleged improper denial by the Michigan 
Commission for the Blind, the State licensing agency (SLA), of Mr. 
Michael L. Adams' request to bid on a vending route at the Kalamazoo 
Psychiatric Facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A summary of the facts is 
as follows: On October 22, 1996, an opportunity to manage a vending 
route became available and was advertised under the SLA's established 
procedures. Complainant bid on the vending route. The SLA found that 
the candidate with the most seniority was not in compliance with its 
rules and policies. Complainant alleges that, while he was second in 
line in seniority and was in compliance, he was not selected.
    Complainant alleges several irregularities in the SLA's procedures 
in awarding the vending route. First, complainant alleges that the SLA 
failed to award the vending route in accordance with its own rules and 
regulations regarding the timeframe of the award.
    Second, complainant alleges that he, as the next qualified bidder, 
did not receive an offer from the SLA to operate the vending route 
because of complaints received about him from one of the facilities on 
the route. Complainant further states that, while the vending route was 
developed with the full participation of the Elected Committee of Blind 
Vendors, it was changed after private phone calls to members by the 
Business Enterprise Program staff and was not presented to an open 
committee meeting.
    Complainant requested an administrative review of this matter, 
which was held on December 12, 1996. Subsequently, complainant 
requested that the SLA convene a full evidentiary hearing, which was 
held on March 26, 1997, and April 22, 1997.
    In a decision dated May 30, 1997, the Administrative Law Judge 
(ALJ) recommended that the SLA evaluate the qualifications of the 
vendors who responded to the October 22, 1996, bid announcement for the 
vending route. If the SLA found the complainant to be the successful 
bidder, the ALJ ruled that the complainant should, with certain 
stipulations, be awarded the vending route.
    In a letter dated June 23, 1997, the SLA transmitted to complainant 
a copy of its final agency action dated June 16, 1997, which rejected 
the decision of the ALJ.
    On September 15, 1997, complainant was notified that the SLA 
intended to revoke his vending license at the Kalamazoo Psychiatric 
Hospital for alleged failure to comply with routine business and food 
service practices and to sign in and out of the facility. On November 
24, 1997, Mr. Adams filed a request for a full evidentiary hearing, 
which was held on February 10, 1998. In a decision dated April 22, 
1998, the ALJ recommended that the SLA not revoke Mr. Adams' vending 
facility license. In a letter dated June 15, 1998, the SLA transmitted 
to complainant a copy of its final agency action rejecting the ALJ's 
decision and revoking Mr. Adams' vending license.
    In November, 1998, complainant amended his original complaint to 
include the issue of license revocation. It is these two decisions that 
complainant sought to have reviewed by a Federal arbitration panel. An 
arbitration panel heard these matters on April 27, 1999, and on August 
17 and 20, 1999, respectively.

Arbitration Panel Decision

    The issues before the arbitration panel were (1) whether the 
Michigan Commission for the Blind violated the Act (20 U.S.C. 107b-
1(3)), the implementing regulations (34 CFR 395.14), and its own rules 
and regulations in allegedly improperly denying the complainant's bid 
on a vending route; and (2) whether the Michigan Commission for the 
Blind violated the Act, implementing regulations, and its own rules and 
regulations in improperly revoking Mr. Adams' vending license.
    In a decision dated August 29, 1999, regarding issue #1, the 
majority of the panel after deliberation determined to adopt in total 
the decision and recommendation of the ALJ dated May 30, 1997. The 
majority ruled that Mr. Adams be compensated as follows: Mr. Adams 
must, for 12 months from the date of the award, be considered a 
priority bidder for any location within 50 miles of his home for any 
location or route for which he is qualified. Additionally, Mr. Adams is 
to respond to any offer with regard to a route or location within 7 
days of that announcement.
    Concerning issue #2, the complainant's license revocation, the 
majority of the panel after reviewing the ALJ's decision on April 22, 
1998, determined that it should be adopted in total. The panel further 
ruled that Mr. Adams' vending license should be reinstated immediately 
and that Mr. Adams is to receive unbroken seniority from his original 
date of seniority to the present time.
    One panel member dissented.
    The views and opinions expressed by the panel do not necessarily 
represent the views and opinions of the U.S. Department of Education.

    Dated: May 3, 2000.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 00-11500 Filed 5-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P