Consumer Information Guide
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 broad 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 within the state of California. A vendor is required to secure all business and health permits, insurance policies, hire and supervise employees, pay business sales taxes, develop menus, and purchase merchandise for sale in a BEP Facility.
BEP Training
The BEP Training takes place twice a year at the Department of Rehabilitation Sacramento headquarters at 721 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, California. The training is an intensive 13-week emersion program to prepare the student for the food service business, and is comprised of two parts:
1. Classroom Education and Training
2. Occupational Skills Training
Classroom Education and Training
The in-class training curriculum covers the following, yet is not limited to:
· Business Management
· Sanitation, ServSafe Certification, Safety, Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention, Worker’s Compensation
· Customer Service and Cash Register Operations
· Sales Tax, Cost Controls
· Payroll, Payroll Taxes, Labor Laws, Monthly Operating Report, and Record Keeping
· BEP Regulations and Labor Codes
· Convenience Store Operations
To graduate from the BEP Training, the Consumer will be required to complete and pass with a grade of 70% or higher.
· Midterm Exam
· Weekly Modules and Quizzes
· 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 Vendor facility in Sacramento and may include other areas in California. OST provides practical experience in managing and operating 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.
Consumer Requirements
A consumer must meet the following requirements to be referred to the Business Enterprises Program Training.
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 will be trained to become working managers. Applicants must possess management and customer service skills, as well as the ability to work independently. A high degree of emotional maturity, professionalism, and the ability to work well with others, are necessary to succeed in the BEP Training.
A Consumer should posses the following social and technical 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 devices and software.
· Experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, and Outlook – to use independently.
· Show potential to succeed in the BEP Training Program and assume the entrepreneurial responsibilities of a BEP Vendor.
Pre-Training Preparatory Steps and Materials
Once referred by a DOR Rehabilitation Counselor, it is recommended that the Consumer complete the following primer workshops and materials, showing aptitude, competency, and initiative, to interview with the BEP Applicant Review Panel for the BEP Training. All steps provide critical feedback to the Consumer and Counselor to ensure the Consumer’s success during the intensive 13-week BEP Training.
Steps
1. Visit two BEP Vendor locations and conduct informational interviews with vendors, provide information interview documentation to Counselor
2. Pass the BEP Comprehension Math Test, proctored by a DOR staff
3. Complete Primer Workshops through:
- Board of Equalization (BOE)
- Employment Development Department (EDD), and
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
4. Study primer materials and pass exams for ManageFirst
Competency Guides provided by BEP Training
a. Managerial Accounting and Exam
b. Inventory and Purchasing and Exam
5. Complete and pass a 20-day BEP Vendor Vocational
Assessment
6. Interview with the BEP Applicant Review Panel
Step 1 - BEP Vendor Tour and Informational Interview
A BEP Vendor tour and informational interview is the 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. The Vendors 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. Discuss 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 for local vendors in your area.
Step 2 - Comprehension Math Test
The BEP Comprehension Math Test provides constructive feedback for the Consumer and Counselor regarding math skills, assistive technology skills, mobility independence, and readiness for the BEP Training. The training covers quite a bit of food service industry equations, the standards for the industry. The math test is a Google online test conducted within in a one hour timeframe, proctored by a DOR Counselor or support staff, and scored by the BEP Training staff. The Consumer must pass with a grade of 70% or higher, showing comprehension of basic math equations and skills.
Step 3 - Primer 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
866-873-6083
Small Business Development Center
Business Plan Writing
https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/map/filter/789c2b2e492c49b57276b4b2323736b500002434042b
Complete the Business Plan Writing workshop in-person at a local Small Business Development Center. The Consumer will need a quality draft of their Business Plan for later submission during the BEP Training and final grade.
For additional resources, you may contact SCORE Volunteer Business Mentors, or the Women’s Business Center.
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 and to BEP Training.
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.
Step 4 - Primer Materials
To assist the student in preparation for the BEP Training content, the ManageFirst Competency Guides will be provided by the BEP Training Instructor to the Consumer prior to the commencement of the training. The BEP Consumer will take the two separate exams ranking their competency of the following material. The consumer should pass with a score of 70% or higher.
ManageFirst Competency Guides
1. Managerial Accounting
Content includes, but is not limited to managing payables,
receivables, costs, operating budget, profit and loss report,
and cost control.
2. Inventory & Purchasing
Content includes, but is not limited to inventory and
purchasing, quality standards, inventory control, procurement
process and supplier selection
Step 5 - Vocational Evaluation
The Vendor Vocational Evaluation takes place at an established BEP food service location under the direction of a licensed BEP Vendor. The Evaluation is for 20 business days, a minimum of eight hours per day, five days a week. The BEP Vendor will evaluate and score the Consumer on 12 categories. The Evaluation score is applied to the Applicant Review Panel interview score, assessing admittance into the BEP Training.
A Vocational Evaluation is to be treated like a job, it is “hands on” work and the Consumer will perform the work of a regular employee. The Evaluation is to determine the Consumer’s level of mobility, 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 and critical to the success of the Vocational Evaluation. Excessive tardiness will disqualify a Consumer for consideration to the next BEP Training. Absences or 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.
Step 6 - BEP Applicant Review Panel Interview
The Consumer will interview before the BEP Applicant Review Panel (ARP). The ARP interviews are held twice a year for one day at the DOR Sacramento office, approximately three months prior to the start of the BEP Training.
The ARP consists of two BEP staff and two active BEP Vendors of the California Vendors Policy Committee. Consumer applicants will be asked to share their knowledge of BEP, general business practices based of their work history and education, primer materials, and the vocational evaluation. All applicants should bring a resume showing all previous work experience and/or volunteer service.
The ARP interview is based on a scoring system. Each panel member will score the applicant. The ARP score is added with the score of the Vendor Vocational Evaluation. 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 next BEP Training.
If the Consumer’s ARP score is less than 70%, the Consumer will work with their Rehabilitation Counselor to:
- Establish a plan of classes, training, business, and/or work experience, which may increase the consumer’s ability to successfully re-interview for a future BEP Training.
Or
2. Re-evaluate the consumer’s choice to become a BEP Vendor
and assess other potential vocational goals.
Obtaining a Vending Facility
Once a student has successfully passed the BEP Training, with a score of 70% or higher, they become a BEP Licensee. When a BEP Vending Facility becomes available, a Vending Facility Announcement (DR 460) is sent to all BEP Vendors and Licensees. An interested Vendor or Licensee must complete and mail a DR 462 application form to BEP Sacramento office prior to the final filing date as specified in the DR460 Announcement.
Interviews and selections are conducted by a non-DOR Selection Committee. The panel usually consists of three representatives provided by the entity that controls the property on which the vending facility is located (the contracting agency). The facility is awarded to the highest scored applicant.
BEP Information
To become a Consumer of the Department of Rehabilitation, please contact a DOR Rehabilitation Counselor. A DOR Counselor will work with the Consumer to evaluate and provide important feedback in the preparation process for a future BEP Training.
Additional information about the Department of Rehabilitation or the Business Enterprises Program may be found on the following web pages.
Department of Rehabilitation
Specialized Services
Business Enterprises Program
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