The hot topic among La. Randolph Sheppard Business Enterprise Program managers has long been the hammering out of the Technical Assistance and Guidance (TAG) Manual (see the "Assistance" page on the rsvl.org website). The pot has boiled over! Mr. Robert R. Humphreys, author to the 1974 amendments to the Randolph-Sheppard Act and legal counsel to RSVA, was retained by RSVL  to represent the La. ECM (Elected Committee of Managers) and specified rejected applicants from the last  Fort Polk facility manager selection process. Judging from what I heard at the discovery meeting, La. B.E.P. vendors as represented by their district representatives who comprise the LA. ECM seek remedies pertaining to what I interpret as:
  1. the SLA's alleged manhandling of said selection process,
  2. the SLA's interpretation or alleged non-compliance with the B.E.P.  "active participation" provision as set forth in the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act ET 1974 Amendments and applicable La. state law, and
  3. the SLA's alleged untimely and inefficient handling of the La. TAG manual i.e. its  development, availability, and accessibility.
On Wednesday Nov.16,2011, I and other concerned persons attended the discovery meeting between Ms Mary Ann White (legal council representing the La. B.E.P. State Licensing Agency) and Mr. Humphreys. Each stated their clients' position then discussed allegations. Mr. Humphreys proposed his clients' desired remedies. Consideration and acknowledgement was made that the SLA, specifically LRS (La. Rehabilitation Services), has been moved from the La. Dept. of Social Services to LWC (the La. Workforce Commission) and they are going through a period of adjustment.

If you are a La. Randolph Sheppard B.E.P. facility manager, your ECM Representative is probably your best follow up source. For your convenience, a list of La. ECM Representatives with the area they represent will be  posted on the rsvl.org website sometime Sat. Nov. 19, 2011.
All others, when you submit your inquiries and comments, keep in mind I am not at liberty to discuss details of the Grievance.

The La. ECM regular scheduled quarterly meeting  will be held Friday Dec.09, 2011 at the Crown Plaza New Orleans Airport Hotel, Kenner, La.

Will managers instruct their representatives on how they want to be represented or will they show up to lend their opinions verbally?
Will the ECM discuss this matter in Executive Session in order to maintain order and keep peace?
Will the SLA's legal council be there to answer questions?
Will this matter be resolved before or by an Evidentiary Hearing or go to Arbitration?

These questions are meant to spawn a nationwide as well as local awareness and desire to share thoughts concerning this Grievance.

This blog is open to all and is meant to benefit all. The proclivity of the La. ECM or RSVL is not paramount. The precedent being set is. 

If you want to know more about Mr. Humphreys and his relation to blind vending, I recommend the article in the winter, 2011 - volume 43 - Issue #1 of the Vendorscope entitled THE VENDORSCOPE SPOTLIGHTS ... ROBERT HUMPHREYS, ESQ. (page 17) by Mary Sue Welch. I Googled it and downloaded it as a pdf file. I'm sure it is also available from the RSVA.biz website.