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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Joe, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> I am happy that you brought this issue
to the forfront. I know as well of incidents in which equipment was overlooked.
Compressors and air conditioners in the dropped ceilings, filtering units separate
from the equipment, unused equipment in unseen storage rooms and more. Then we
have equipment that is not BEP being counted such as fountain dispensors. What
a mess. As you say however, it is because the inventory takers do not know
what to look for in the different locations,and the stupidity of the BEP management
to place such unknowledgeable people into such a position. Well all we know is
that as long as the same management is there, the same and more problems will keep
occurring. What do they say about the definition of insanity?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dave Robinson<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Vendorsmi
[mailto:vendorsmi-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On
Behalf Of </span></b>Joe Sontag<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, December 05, 2012
11:50 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> VENDORSMI List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Vendorsmi] What's Really
Up With the Equipment Inventory?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Joe Sontag</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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