Section 218-RICR-50-00-3.8 - SELECTION OF VENDORA. The S.L.A., with the active participation of the State Committee of Blind Vendors, hereby establishes a selection, transfer, and promotion system for vendors which will be uniformly applied to all vendor vacancies that develop or occur in the vending facilities program.B. General Standards for Selection of Licensed Vendor: To be eligible for appointment as a Licensed Vendor, the following basic requirements must be met: 1. An applicant must have successfully completed the specialized training program for Blind Vendors as provided by the S.L.A. or a training program of equal scope and requirements.2. An applicant must have acquired sufficient knowledge and skills necessary to the successful performance of all the tasks or processes which enable the proper operation of a vending facility.3. Successful trainees will advance to Probationary Graduate Status for a period of 6 months, during which time he/she will operate a designated vending facility under the direction and supervision of the BEP Supervisory staff. Ongoing evaluations will be conducted during said probationary period.C. General Standards for the Promotion of Probationary Graduates and Transfer of Blind Vendors and Active Probationary Graduates 1. In order to ensure the continuous and orderly coverage of all vending facilities, the following requirements will be basic to the eligibility for transfer and promotion: a. The Blind Vendor/licensee must have demonstrated his or her ability to successfully operate and manage a vending facility.b. The Blind Vendor/licensee must have adhered to these rules and regulations and operating rules of the Vending Facilities Program during the immediate past assignment(s).c. The Blind Vendor/licensee must be current with any and all set aside obligations or have adhered to a payment schedule to repay any debts incurred during previous assignment(s)if applicable.d. The Blind Vendor/licensee must consider, explore, and be prepared to assume certain obligations which may occur as a result of accepting assignment of a facility such as: relocation of residence, transportation to and from a facility and assumption of duties and responsibilities which may or may not vary from the previous assignment(s) such as payroll expenses or managing employees, or purchasing insurance.e. The Blind Vendor/licensee must be prepared to accept specialized or advanced training prior to or after transfer or promotion.D. Conditions for Transfer of Blind Vendors/licensees and Active Probationary Graduates 1. In accordance with the standards outlined in § 3.8(B) of this Part above, the transfer/assignment of Blind Vendors/licensees to a Vending facility will be made on the basis of transfer seniority as well as consideration of the Vendor/licensee's status within the program - i.e. good standing. Transfer seniority is defined as the length of time that a Blind Vendor/licensee has been licensed and actually operated a vending facility located in Rhode Island pursuant to a written Agreement for Operation of a Vending Facility. Transfer seniority will not accrue to Vendor/licensees during periods of suspension that result from performance issues. "Ties" in seniority accrual of this of those Vendors/licensees competing for a vacant facility who are otherwise equal on all other criteria may be decided by a lottery process.2. The State Licensing Agency will maintain a Transfer Seniority List.3. Transfers will also be based on performance standards related to the Vendor/licensee's education and experience in operating a business successfully. Factors that will be considered include but are not limited to: a. Overall performance/evidence of good standing;c. Appropriate use of employees;e. Quality of customer service;g. Ability to handle increased responsibility;h. Payment of all set aside and other known payables due; andi. Appropriate engagement with BEP staff and Host entity personnel.218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-50-00-3.8