Penny Forward Raises Alarm Over Changes to the Randolph-Sheppard Program

A Long-Standing Program Supporting Blind Entrepreneurs

Since 1936, the Randolph-Sheppard Act has given people who are blind or have low vision priority to operate vending facilities and cafeterias on federal property. For nearly 90 years, this program has provided meaningful self-employment opportunities for licensed blind vendors across the country.

Every state that participates in the Randolph-Sheppard Program has also adopted its own version of the law at the state level. These “mini Randolph-Sheppard acts” extend similar priority protections on state-owned property, reinforcing the program’s importance nationwide.

What Has Changed

On December 23, 2025, the Department of Education approved a limitation on the Randolph-Sheppard priority for future Department of the Army dining facility contracts, also known as DFAC contracts.

This decision means that, going forward, the Army will no longer be required to give priority to Randolph-Sheppard vendors when awarding these specific contracts. While blind vendors may still submit bids, they will no longer receive the statutory priority that has historically applied.

Why the Department Approved the Limitation

According to the notice published in the Federal Register, the Department of the Army argued that the Randolph-Sheppard priority created challenges in several areas:

• Higher costs, with some contracts reportedly costing more under the priority system
• Delays caused by arbitration, sometimes lasting more than two years
• Operational concerns, including food service performance and sanitation issues

Based on these factors, the Secretary of Education concluded that limiting the priority for Army DFAC contracts was justified to protect national security interests and operational readiness.

Why Penny Forward Is Concerned

Penny Forward recognizes that this change affects a relatively small number of blind vendors in practical terms. However, the broader implications are concerning.

The Randolph-Sheppard Program has been one of the most successful self-employment initiatives for people with blindness and low vision. It has provided stable income, business ownership, and independence for decades in a labor market that often presents significant barriers.

Eroding the priority, even in a limited context, raises questions about the future strength of the program. Over time, incremental changes like this can weaken protections that have supported blind entrepreneurs for generations.

Looking Ahead

This decision applies only to future Army DFAC contracts and does not eliminate the Randolph-Sheppard Program. Still, it represents a notable shift in how federal agencies may approach the program moving forward.

Penny Forward believes it is important to closely monitor these developments, understand their long-term impact, and continue advocating for policies that expand—not reduce—economic opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision.