Consumer Information Guide
February 2018
THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISES PROGRAM
The Business Enterprises Program (BEP) is a food service organization with operations in city, state, and federal buildings, and Department of Defense facilities, as well as in private industry. Since its creation in 1936, the BEP has continued to provide vocational opportunities for enterprising individuals with visual impairments who are trained in the operation and management of vending facilities.
The federal and state statutes governing this program provide a “priority” for vendors who operate food service facilities in federal and state government buildings. County and city buildings are not included in this priority, but many county and city governments cooperate with the BEP by making their food service facilities available to the vendors in the program.
Vendors receive ongoing support from the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) as long as they remain in the program. This support includes purchasing equipment, providing maintenance and repair on equipment, various training opportunities, upward mobility support, business counseling services, fiscal oversight, and guidance to assist with their financial responsibilities.
In California the median net monthly income for vendors is approximately $3,700. In addition to the dependable income, vendors have several excellent benefits including health, dental and life insurance, plus a sound retirement program. There are currently about 100 full time vendors operating 250 primary/satellite facilities, with 550 employees through out the state, with some vendors managing more than one facility. The program opens new locations each year.
BEP provides an excellent opportunity for consumers to become a small business owner and a productive, self-sufficient participant in the economy.
BEP Facility Types
BEP vending and food service facilities are recognized for their organized and convenient delivery of various food products. The term food service facility covers a wide range of business operations including the following:
Dry/Wet Vending Stand – A specialty convenience store, providing manual dispensing of beverages, snacks, prepackaged food items, gifts, souvenirs, sundry items, and services.
Snack Bar – A vending location selling a limited line of refreshment and prepared food items.
Cafeterias – A food service facility providing a board variety of food and beverages prepared on or off the premises, including hot meals.
Vending Machine Facilities – A vending facility is a combined group automated coin or currency operated vending machines dispensing food, snack, refreshments, or sundry items.
Military Dining Facility – A facility that is teamed with a private company, which prepares meals for military personnel in a cafeteria style environment.
BEP Vendor
A BEP Vendor is a “Legally Blind” individual who operates a vending facility with a license issued by the DOR’s Business Enterprises Program. A vendor is required to secure all required business and health permits, insurance policies, hire and supervise employees, pay business sales taxes, develop menus, and purchase merchandise for sale.
Consumer Requirements
A consumer must meet the following requirements to be referred to the Business Enterprises Training Program.
1. A United States citizen
2. At least 18 years of age
3. Legally blind
4. A Consumer of the Department of Rehabilitation
DOR Consumers who are accepted into the BEP Training Program will be trained to become working managers. Applicants must posses management skills or show aptitude for developing them. A high degree of emotional maturity, professionalism, and sensitivity to people are necessary to succeed in the BEP Training.
A consumer must posses the following soft and hard skills:
· Independence to engage in daily living, communication, orientation, and mobility, with the ability to use adaptive aids.
· Experience with and ability to use Assistive Technology software.
· Experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, and Outlook.
· Show potential to succeed in the BEP Training Program and assume the entrepreneurial responsibilities of a BEP Vendor.
Pre-Training Requirements
Once referred to a DOR Rehabilitation Counselor, the Consumer must successfully complete the following pre-requisites to be accepted in the Business Enterprises Program Training.
1. Visit at least two BEP Vendor locations and conduct informational interviews with vendors
2. Pass the BEP Qualifying Math Test
3. Complete pre-training workshops through the Board of Equalization (BOE), Employment Development Department (EDD), and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
4. Complete and pass a BEP Vendor Vocational Assessment
5. Interview with the BEP Applicant Review Panel
BEP Vendor Tour and Informational Interview
A BEP Vendor tour and informational interview is an important first step and allows the consumer the opportunity to make a self-assessment to determine whether the BEP would be a good career choice.
To maximize the benefits of these visits, prepare ahead of time a list of questions that you would like to discuss with the seasoned BEP Vendors. They are your best source of learning what life is like as a BEP Vendor.
It is recommended that the Consumer call and make an appointment with the BEP Vendor that operates the facility. Discus with the BEP Vendor any requirement they may have prior to and during your visit. Be sure to be well groomed and dress professionally. Dress as if you worked at the facility.
If assistance is needed to locate a BEP facility, have your Rehabilitation Counselor contact BEP Training.
BEP Qualifying Math Test
The Consumer’s counselor will set-up and conduct the BEP Math Test assessing the Consumer skill level. The math test is conducted within in a 45 minute timeframe and scored by the BEP Training staff. The Consumer must pass with a grade of 70% or higher.
Pre-Training Workshops
The Consumer will attend the following business workshops sponsored by California Board of Equalization (BOE), the Employment Development Department (EDD), and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
The BOE and EDD workshops are held year round. Click on the links below for a current workshop in your area.
Board of Equalization
Basic Sales and Use Tax Classes
https://www.boe.ca.gov/app/tax_class.aspx
Employment Development Department
State Labor Law and Payroll Tax Seminar
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/training.htm
Small Business Development Center
The SBDC can become a valuable consultant to the Consumer when they obtain their business. Complete the following trainings at SBDC, SCORE Volunteer Business Mentors, or the Women’s Business Center and provide a Certificate of Completion for each workshop attended.
1. Accounting or QuickBooks
2. Business Plan Writing
3. Is Business Right for You
A Certificate of Completion must be received for each seminar/workshop attended. The applicant is required to provide a copy of the Certificate of Completion to their counselor.
If the person presenting the seminar/workshop is unable to provide a Certificate of Completion, print a copy of the certificate of completion document on the following page, ask the presenter to complete it and attach a business card.
Vocational Assessment
The Vocational Assessment takes place at an established BEP food service location, most often near the applicant’s home and under the direction of a licensed BEP Vendor. The evaluation is for one-month, full time (a minimum of eight hours per day, five days a week).
A Vocational Assessment assignment is to be treated like a job. It is “hands on” work; the Consumer will perform the work of a regular employee. The assessment is to determine the Consumer’s level of mobility and physical stamina to perform the necessary duties of a BEP business owner, assess “soft” (people) skills required for foodservice and the aptitude of the Consumer for owning and operating a business.
Good attendance and promptness are mandatory. No-shows are unacceptable. Any no-show, other than one caused by a medical emergency that renders the Consumer unable to make a telephone call, will cause the Consumer to be eliminated for consideration to the next BEP Training.
Attendance is critical to the success of the vocational assessment. Excessive tardiness may disqualify a Consumer for consideration for the next BEP Training. Any more than two absences during a 30-day pre-evaluation will eliminate the Consumer for consideration for the next BEP Training.
BEP Applicant Review Panel Interview
After all pre-requisites have been successfully completed, the Consumer will interview before the BEP Applicant Review Panel (ARP). The ARP is held for one day at the DOR Sacramento office every December for the February training and in June for the August training sessions. The interview is approximately 45-days prior to the start to the BEP Training.
The ARP consists of two BEP staff and two active BEP Vendors. The applicants will be asked to share their knowledge of BEP and general business practices based on their work history, onsite classes, and the vocational assessment.
All applicants should bring a resume showing all previous work experience and/or volunteer service.
The interview is based on a scoring system. Each panel member will score the applicant. The interview score is added to the score from the vocational assessment. Acceptance into the BEP will be based on the Consumer having a passing score of 70% or higher. If the Consumer’s ARP Interview is successful, the Consumer will be accepted into the BEP Training. If the ARP score is less than 70%, the Consumer in concurrence with their Rehabilitation Counselor, may take additional training and go through the application process again for a future BEP Training, or another vocational objective may be explored with the Rehabilitation Counselor.
BEP Training Program
The BEP Training Program takes place at the Department of Rehabilitation Sacramento headquarters at 721 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, California. The classroom education is an intensive emersion program to prepare the future Vendor for the food service business, and is comprised of two parts:
1. Classroom Training and Education
2. Occupational Skills Training
Classroom Training and Education
The training program emphasizes business management, BEP procedures and regulations, sanitation, Monthly Operation Reports, vending, C-store operations, and other operational topics. Classroom instruction includes, but not limited to: unit review, group discussion, and weekly assignments and tests. To graduate from the program, the BEP student will be required to complete and pass with a grade of 70% or higher the following:
· Mid-term Exam
· Weekly Tests and Modules
· Occupational Skills Training
· Simulated Panel Interview
· Business Plan and Resume
· Final Exam (DR 454)
Occupational Skills Training
The Occupational Skills Training (OST) takes place at a designated BEP location in Sacramento and may include other areas in California. OST provides practical experience in opening and managing a facility using the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom. OST will expose the student to the types of facilities available in the program and is an important part of the student’s final grade.
BEP Training students are expected to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Behavior that is disruptive to the classroom or at an OST assignment will not be tolerated. Dress codes for the classroom and OST assignments must be followed.
Obtaining a Vending Facility
Once a student has passed the BEP Training, with a score of 70% or higher, they become a BEP Licensee. When a BEP Vending Facility becomes available, a Notice of Fending Facility Opportunity (DR 460) is sent to all BEP Vendors and Licensees. Specified in the DR 460, an interested Vendor or Licensee must complete and mail a DR 462 application to BEP Sacramento office prior to the final filing date.
Interviews and selections are conducted by a Selection Committee. The panel members usually consists of three representatives provided by the entity that controls the property on which the vending facility is located (the contracting agency).
For additional information about BEP or to become a Consumer of the DOR, please refer to the following web pages.
Department of Rehabilitation
Specialized Services
Business Enterprises Program
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