[Vendorsmi] What's Really Up With the Equipment Inventory?

[Joe Sontag]

Two reports received here within the past 72 hours have got me wondering if the new BEP equipment inventory has any chance of being satisfactory to anyone who really cares.  One report comes from a highway vending operator, the other from a snack bar operator, but both have some striking similarities.

Both operators say that they were never asked to open any vending machinesfor the inventory takers, a problem  because manufacturer's serial numbers are often accessible only from inside the units, as well as the fact that additional items for the inventory may be housed in the cabinet of a vending machine, including but not limited to video and digital recording equipment used for site security purposes.

The other common detail is that the inventory takers showed no interest in checking storage areas at the vending facilities, even though storage rooms often contain refrigeration, soft drink service and other items that may belong on the final inventory.  The roadside operator was told that their presence was not required at the designated time for the inventory taker's visit.  I well remember being asked by my PA for equipment identification details and opening all store rooms and all Agency-owned equipment for John McEntee, as he methodically documented the equipment at the Comstitution Hall facility while I ran it.  In fact John's inventory was notable for its thoroughness in documenting what was present in the locations and for his documentation of  equipment that the BEP had purchased but that could *Not be located, including various vending machines and several security systems for highway facilities.  John was driven out of the BEP shortly before he would have completed his work on this project.

What kind of accuracy and completeness are we likely to get under current conditions from two student interns with no experience in the Program and who are being paid at bargain rates?  My guess is that we'll get what we paid for; and that's not likely to work very well for anybody, especially those who insist that BS for Blind Persons is doing everything right and should be held harmless.

Joe Sontag
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