29558 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2001 / Notices

7. DEIS Preparation: It is estimated

that the DEIS will be available to the

public on or about May 1, 2002.

Luz D. Ortiz,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 01–13694 Filed 5–30–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3710–AJ–M

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins

Loan, Federal Work-Study, Federal

Supplemental Educational Opportunity

Grant, Federal Family Education Loan,

and William D. Ford Federal Direct

Loan Programs

AGENCY: Student Financial Assistance,

Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of revision of the Federal

need analysis methodology for the

2002–2003 award year.

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education

announces the annual updates to the

tables that will be used in the statutory

‘‘Federal Need Analysis Methodology’’

to determine a student’s expected family

contribution (EFC) for award year 2002–

2003 under Part F of Title IV of the

Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as

amended (Title IV, HEA Programs). An

EFC is the amount a student and his or

her family may reasonably be expected

to contribute toward the student’s

postsecondary educational costs for

purposes of determining financial aid

eligibility. The Title IV, HEA Programs

include the Federal Pell Grant, campusbased (Federal Perkins Loan, Federal

Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental

Educational Opportunity Grant

Programs), Federal Family Education

Loan, and William D. Ford Federal

Direct Loan Programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.

Edith Bell, Program Specialist, U.S.

Department of Education, 400 Maryland

Avenue, SW (Room 4621, ROB–3),

Washington, DC 20202–5444.

Telephone: (202) 708–5591. If you use a

telecommunications device for the deaf

(TDD), you may call the Federal

Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–

800–877–8339.

Individuals with disabilities may

obtain this document in an alternative

format (e.g., Braille, large print,

audiotape or computer diskette) on

request to the contact person listed in

the preceding paragraph.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part F of

Title IV of the HEA specifies the criteria,

data elements, calculations, and tables

used in the Federal Need Analysis

Methodology EFC calculations.

Section 478 of Part F of the HEA

requires the Secretary to adjust four of

the tables—the Income Protection

Allowance, the Adjusted Net Worth of

a Business or Farm, the Education

Savings and Asset Protection

Allowance, and the Assessment

Schedules and Rates—each award year

to take into account inflation. The

changes are based, in general, upon

increases in the Consumer Price Index.

For the award year 2002–2003 the

Secretary is charged with updating the

income protection allowance, adjusted

net worth of a business or farm, and the

assessment schedules and rates to

account for inflation that took place

between December 2000 and December

2001. However, since the Secretary must

publish these tables before December

2001, the increases in the tables must be

based upon a percentage equal to the

estimated percentage increase in the

Consumer Price Index for all Urban

Consumers for 2000. The Secretary

estimates that the increase in the

Consumer Price Index for all Urban

Consumers for the period December

2000 through December 2001 will be 2.4

percent. The updated tables are in

sections 1, 2, and 4 of this notice.

The Secretary must also revise, for

each award year, the table on asset

protection allowance as provided for in

section 478(d) of the HEA. The

Education Savings and Asset Protection

Allowance table for the award year

2002–2003 has been updated in section

3 of this notice.

Section 477(b)(5) of Part F of the HEA

also requires the Secretary to increase

the amount specified for the

Employment Expense Allowance to

account for inflation based upon

increases in the Bureau of Labor

Statistics budget of the marginal costs

for a two-earner compared to a oneearner family for meals away from

home, apparel and upkeep,

transportation, and housekeeping

services. Therefore, the Secretary is

increasing this allowance as described

in section 5 of this notice.

The HEA provides for the following

annual updates:

1. Income Protection Allowance

This allowance is the amount of living

expenses associated with the

maintenance of an individual or family

that may be offset against the family’s

income. It varies by family size. The

income protection allowance for the

dependent student is $2,330. The

income protection allowances for

parents of dependent students and

independent students with dependents

other than a spouse for award year

2002–2003 are:

Number in college

12345

Family size

2 ............................................................................................................................ 13,210 10,950 ................ ................ ................

3 ............................................................................................................................ 16,450 14,210 11,940 ................ ................

4 ............................................................................................................................ 20,320 18,060 15,810 13,550 ................

5 ............................................................................................................................ 23,980 21,720 19,470 17,210 14,960

6 ............................................................................................................................ 28,050 25,790 23,540 21,280 19,030

For each additional family member add $3,170.

For each additional college student subtract $2,250.

The income protection allowances for

independent students and independent

students without dependents other than

a spouse for award year 2002–2003 are:

Marital status Number

in college Amount

Single .......................... 1 $5,300

Marital status Number

in college Amount

Married ........................ 2 5,300

Married ........................ 1 8,470

2. Adjusted Net Worth (NW) of a

Business or Farm

A portion of the full net value of a

farm or business is excluded from the

calculation of an expected contribution

since—(1) the income produced from

these assets is already assessed in

another part of the formula; and (2) the

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2001 / Notices 29559

formula protects a portion of the value

of the assets. The portion of these assets

included in the contribution calculation

is computed according to the following

schedule. This schedule is used for

parents of dependent students,

independent students, independent

student without dependents other than

a spouse, and independent students

with dependents other than a spouse.

If the Net Worth of a Business or Farm is— Then the Adjusted Net Worth is—

Less than $1 ........................... $0

$1 to $95,000 .......................... $0 + 40% of NW

$95,001 to $285,000 .......................... $38,000 + 50% of NW over $95,000

$285,001 to $470,000 .......................... $133,000 + 60% of NW over $285,000

$470,001 or more .................................. $244,000 + 100% of NW over $470,000

3. Education Savings and Asset

Protection Allowance

This allowance protects a portion of

net worth (assets less debts) from being

considered available for postsecondary

educational expenses. There are three

asset protection allowance tables—one

for parents of dependent students, one

for independent students without

dependents other than a spouse, and

one for independent students with

dependents other than a spouse.

DEPENDENT STUDENTS

If the age of the

older parent is—

And there are—

Two parents One parent

Then the education savings and asset protection allowance is—

25 or less ............ 0 0

26 ........................ 2,300 1,100

27 ........................ 4,600 2,200

28 ........................ 6,900 3,300

29 ........................ 9,100 4,500

30 ........................ 11,400 5,600

31 ........................ 13,700 6,700

32 ........................ 16,000 7,800

33 ........................ 18,300 8,900

34 ........................ 20,600 10,000

35 ........................ 22,900 11,100

36 ........................ 25,200 12,200

37 ........................ 27,400 13,400

38 ........................ 29,700 14,500

39 ........................ 32,000 15,600

40 ........................ 34,300 16,700

41 ........................ 35,200 17,000

42 ........................ 36,100 17,400

43 ........................ 36,700 17,800

44 ........................ 37,700 18,200

45 ........................ 38,600 18,600

46 ........................ 39,600 18,900

47 ........................ 40,600 19,400

48 ........................ 41,900 19,900

49 ........................ 42,900 20,300

50 ........................ 44,000 20,800

51 ........................ 45,100 21,200

52 ........................ 46,500 21,700

53 ........................ 47,600 22,400

54 ........................ 49,100 22,900

55 ........................ 50,300 23,400

56 ........................ 51,800 24,000

57 ........................ 53,300 24,700

58 ........................ 54,900 25,300

59 ........................ 56,600 26,000

60 ........................ 58,300 26,600

DEPENDENT STUDENTS—Continued

If the age of the

older parent is—

And there are—

Two parents One parent

61 ........................ 60,000 27,400

62 ........................ 62,000 28,100

63 ........................ 63,800 28,900

64 ........................ 66,000 29,700

65 and over ......... 68,200 30,700

INDEPENDENT STUDENTS WITHOUT

DEPENDENTS OTHER THAN A SPOUSE

If the age of the

student is—

And the student is—

Married Single

Then the education savings and asset protection allowance is—

25 or less ............ 0 0

26 ........................ 2,300 1,100

27 ........................ 4,600 2,200

28 ........................ 6,900 3,300

29 ........................ 9,100 4,500

30 ........................ 11,400 5,600

31 ........................ 13,700 6,700

32 ........................ 16,000 7,800

33 ........................ 18,300 8,900

34 ........................ 20,600 10,000

35 ........................ 22,900 11,100

36 ........................ 25,200 12,200

37 ........................ 27,400 13,400

38 ........................ 29,700 14,500

39 ........................ 32,000 15,600

40 ........................ 34,300 16,700

41 ........................ 35,200 17,000

42 ........................ 36,100 17,400

43 ........................ 36,700 17,800

44 ........................ 37,700 18,200

45 ........................ 38,600 18,600

46 ........................ 39,600 18,900

47 ........................ 40,600 19,400

48 ........................ 41,900 19,900

49 ........................ 42,900 20,300

50 ........................ 44,000 20,800

51 ........................ 45,100 21,200

52 ........................ 46,500 21,700

53 ........................ 47,600 22,400

54 ........................ 49,100 22,900

55 ........................ 50,300 23,400

56 ........................ 51,800 24,000

57 ........................ 53,300 24,700

58 ........................ 54,900 25,300

59 ........................ 56,600 26,000

60 ........................ 58,300 26,600

61 ........................ 60,000 27,400

INDEPENDENT STUDENTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS OTHER THAN A

SPOUSE—Continued

If the age of the

student is—

And the student is—

Married Single

62 ........................ 62,000 28,100

63 ........................ 63,800 28,900

64 ........................ 66,000 29,700

65 and over ......... 68,200 30,700

INDEPENDENT STUDENTS WITH

DEPENDENTS OTHER THAN A SPOUSE

If the age of the

student is—

And the student is—

Married Single

Then the education savings and asset protection allowance is—

25 or less ............ 0 0

26 ........................ 2,300 1,100

27 ........................ 4,600 2,200

28 ........................ 6,900 3,300

29 ........................ 9,100 4,500

30 ........................ 11,400 5,600

31 ........................ 13,700 6,700

32 ........................ 16,000 7,800

33 ........................ 18,300 8,900

34 ........................ 20,600 10,000

35 ........................ 22,900 11,100

36 ........................ 25,200 12,200

37 ........................ 27,400 13,400

38 ........................ 29,700 14,500

39 ........................ 32,000 15,600

40 ........................ 34,300 16,700

41 ........................ 35,200 17,000

42 ........................ 36,100 17,400

43 ........................ 36,700 17,800

44 ........................ 37,700 18,200

45 ........................ 38,600 18,600

46 ........................ 39,600 18,900

47 ........................ 40,600 19,400

48 ........................ 41,900 19,900

49 ........................ 42,900 20,300

50 ........................ 44,000 20,800

51 ........................ 45,100 21,200

52 ........................ 46,500 21,700

53 ........................ 47,600 22,400

54 ........................ 49,100 22,900

55 ........................ 50,300 23,400

56 ........................ 51,800 24,000

57 ........................ 53,300 24,700

58 ........................ 54,900 25,300

59 ........................ 56,600 26,000

60 ........................ 58,300 26,600

29560 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2001 / Notices

INDEPENDENT STUDENTS WITH DEPENDENTS OTHER THAN A

SPOUSE—Continued

If the age of the

student is—

And the student is—

Married Single

61 ........................ 60,000 27,400

62 ........................ 62,000 28,100

63 ........................ 63,800 28,900

64 ........................ 66,000 29,700

65 and over ......... 68,200 30,700

4. Assessment Schedules and Rates

Two schedules that are subject to

updates, one for dependent students

and one for independent students with

dependents other than a spouse, are

used to determine the expected

contribution toward educational

expenses from family financial

resources. For dependent students, the

expected parental contribution is

derived from an assessment of the

parents adjusted available income

(AAI). For independent students with

dependents other than a spouse, the

expected contribution is derived from

an assessment of the family’s AAI. The

AAI represents a measure of a family’s

financial strength, which considers both

income and assets.

The parents’ contribution for a

dependent student is computed

according to the following schedule:

If AAI is— Then the Contribution is—

Less than ¥$3,409 ($3,409) ...................... ¥$750

($3,409) to $11,800 ...................... 22% of AAI

$11,801 to $14,800 ....................... $2,596 + 25% of AAI over $11,800

$14,801 to $17,800 ....................... $3,346 + 29% of AAI over $14,800

$17,801 to $20,800 ....................... $4,216 + 34% of AAI over $17,800

$20,801 to $23,900 ....................... $5,236 + 40% of AAI over $20,800

$23,901 or more ........................ $6,476 + 47% of AAI over $23,900

The contribution for an independent

student with dependents other than a

spouse is computed according to the

following schedule:

If AAI is— Then the Contribution is—

Less than ¥$3,409 ($3,409) .................. ¥$750

($3,409) to $11,800 ................... 22% of AAI

$11,801 to $14,800 .................... $2,596 + 25% of AAI over $11,800

$14,801 to $17,800 .................... $3,346 + 29% of AAI over $14,800

$17,801 to $20,800 .................... $4,216 + 34% of AAI over $17,800

$20,801 to $23,900 .................... $5,236 + 40% of AAI over $20,800

$23,901 or more ........................ $6,476 + 47% of AAI over $23,900

5. Employment Expense Allowance

This allowance for employmentrelated expenses, which is used for the

parents of dependent students and for

married independent students with

dependents, recognizes additional

expenses incurred by working spouses

and single-parent households. The

allowance is based upon the marginal

differences in costs for a two wageearner family compared to a one-wage

earner family for meals away from

home, apparel and upkeep,

transportation, and housekeeping

services.

The employment expense allowance

for parents of dependent students,

married independent students without

dependents other than a spouse, and

independent students with dependents

other than a spouse is the lesser of

$3,000 or 35 percent of earned income.

6. Allowance for State and Other Taxes

This allowance for State and other

taxes protects a portion of the parents’

and student’s income from being

considered available for postsecondary

educational expenses. There are four

tables for State and other taxes, one each

for parents of dependent students,

independent students with dependents

other than a spouse, dependent

students, and independent students

without dependents other than a

spouse.

PARENTS OF DEPENDENT STUDENTS

If parents’ State or territory of residence is—

And parents’ total income is—

Less than

$15,000

$15,000 or

more

Then the percentage is—

Wyoming, Tennessee, Nevada, Alaska, Texas ...................................................................................................... 3 2

Louisiana, Florida, Washington, South Dakota ....................................................................................................... 4 3

Alabama, Mississippi ............................................................................................................................................... 5 4

North Dakota, Illinois, Connecticut, New Mexico, Missouri, West Virginia, Arizona, Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6 5

New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Idaho ..................................................... 7 6

North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, South Carolina, Ohio, Utah, Nebraska, Montana, California, New Jersey,

Iowa, Vermont, Hawaii ......................................................................................................................................... 8 7

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, Maryland ................................................................. 9 8

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2001 / Notices 29561

PARENTS OF DEPENDENT STUDENTS—Continued

If parents’ State or territory of residence is—

And parents’ total income is—

Less than

$15,000

$15,000 or

more

District of Columbia, Wisconsin, Oregon ................................................................................................................. 10 9

New York ................................................................................................................................................................. 11 10

Other ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4 3

INDEPENDENT STUDENTS WITH DEPENDENTS OTHER THAN A SPOUSE

If student’s State or territory of residence is—

And student’s total income is—

Less than

$15,000

$15,000 or

more

Then the percentage is—

Wyoming, Tennessee, Nevada, Alaska, Texas ...................................................................................................... 3 2

Louisiana, Florida, Washington, South Dakota ....................................................................................................... 4 3

Alabama, Mississippi ............................................................................................................................................... 5 4

North Dakota, Illinois, Connecticut, New Mexico, Missouri, West Virginia, Arizona, Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6 5

New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Idaho ..................................................... 7 6

North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, South Carolina, Ohio, Utah, Nebraska, Montana, California, New Jersey,

Iowa, Vermont, Hawaii ......................................................................................................................................... 8 7

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, Maryland ................................................................. 9 8

District of Columbia, Wisconsin, Oregon ................................................................................................................. 10 9

New York ................................................................................................................................................................. 11 10

Other ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4 3

DEPENDENT STUDENTS

If student’s State or territory of residence is— The percentage is—

Alaska, Texas, South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada ..................................................................................... 0

Florida, New Hampshire ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Connecticut, Louisiana, Illinois, North Dakota ..................................................................................................................................... 2

Mississippi, Arizona, Alabama, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Missouri ................................................................................................ 3

Nebraska, Indiana, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas,

Vermont, Michigan ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Montana, Idaho, Utah, Kentucky, Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, Delaware, Maine, Wisconsin ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Oregon, Maryland, Minnesota, Hawaii ................................................................................................................................................ 6

District of Columbia, New York ........................................................................................................................................................... 7

Other .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

INDEPENDENT STUDENTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS OTHER THAN A SPOUSE

If student’s State or territory of residence is— The percentage is—

Alaska, Texas, South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada ..................................................................................... 0

Florida, New Hampshire ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Connecticut, Louisiana, Illinois, North Dakota ..................................................................................................................................... 2

Mississippi, Arizona, Alabama, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Missouri ................................................................................................ 3

Nebraska, Indiana, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas,

Vermont, Michigan ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Montana, Idaho, Utah, Kentucky, Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, Delaware, Maine, Wisconsin ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Oregon, Maryland, Minnesota, Hawaii ................................................................................................................................................ 6

District of Columbia, New York ........................................................................................................................................................... 7

Other .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Electronic Access to This Document

You may view this document, as well

as all other Department of Education

documents published in the Federal

Register, in text or Adobe Portable

Document Format (PDF) on the Internet

at the following site: www.ed.gov/

legislation/FedRegister

To use the PDF you must have Adobe

Acrobat Reader, which is available free

at this site. If you have questions about

using the PDF, call the U.S. Government

29562 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2001 / Notices

Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1–

888–293–6498; or in Washington, DC,

area at (202) 512–1530.

Note: The official version of this document

is the document published in the Federal

Register. Free Internet access to the official

edition of the Federal Register and the Code

of Federal Regulations is available on GPO

Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/

index.html

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Numbers: 84.007 Federal Supplemental

Educational Opportunity Grant; 84.032

Federal Family Education Loan Program;

84.033 Federal Work-Study Program; 84.038

Federal Perkins Loan Program; 84.063

Federal Pell Grant Program; William D. Ford

Federal Direct Loan Program, 84.268)

Dated: May 25, 2001.

Greg Woods,

Chief Operating Officer, Student Financial

Assistance.

[FR Doc. 01–13636 Filed 5–30–01; 8:45am]

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Arbitration Panel Decision Under the

Randolph-Sheppard Act

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of arbitration panel

decision under the Randolph-Sheppard

Act.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on

March 17, 2000, an arbitration panel

rendered a decision in the matter of

Idaho Commission for the Blind and

Visually Impaired v. United States

Postal Service (Docket No. R–S/99–7).

This panel was convened by the U.S.

Department of Education pursuant to 20

U.S.C. 107d–1(b) upon receipt of a

complaint filed by petitioner, the Idaho

Commission for the Blind.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A

copy of the full text of the arbitration

panel decision may be obtained from

George F. Arsnow, U.S. Department of

Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,

room 3230, Mary E. Switzer Building,

Washington, DC 20202–2738.

Telephone: (202) 205–9317. If you use a

telecommunications device for the deaf

(TDD), you may call the TDD number at

(202) 205–8298.

Individuals with disabilities may

obtain this document in an alternative

format (e.g., Braille, large print,

audiotape, or computer diskette) on

request to the contact person listed in

the preceding paragraph.

Electronic Access to This Document:

You may view this document, as well as

all other Department of Education

documents published in the Federal

Register, in text or Adobe Portable

Document Format (PDF) on the Internet

at the following site: www.ed.gov/

legislation/FedRegister

To use PDF you must have Adobe

Acrobat Reader, which is available free

at this site. If you have questions about

using PDF, call the U.S. Government

Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1–

888–293–6498; or in the Washington,

DC, area at (202) 512–1530.

Note: The official version of this document

is the document published in the Federal

Register. Free Internet access to the official

edition of the Federal Register and the Code

of Federal Regulations is available on GPO

Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/

index.html

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant

to the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20

U.S.C. 107d–2(c)) (the Act), the

Secretary publishes in the Federal

Register a synopsis of each arbitration

panel decision affecting the

administration of vending facilities on

Federal and other property.

Background

In 1998, the Idaho Commission for the

Blind and Visually Impaired, the State

licensing agency (SLA), alleged that it

made repeated requests for information

to the United States Postal Service

(USPS) concerning the construction of

the new U.S. Postal Service Processing

and Distribution Center located at 2201

South Cole Road in Boise, Idaho.

Receiving no response to its inquiries or

notice of a possible vending facility

location as required by the Act, the SLA

submitted a letter to the Postal Service

District Manager requesting information

about the Processing and Distribution

Center.

On December 2, 1998, the Postal

Service District Manager responded to

the SLA’s letter requesting information

and apologized for the lack of

notification. On March 17, 1999, the

SLA submitted an application for a

vending facility at the Processing and

Distribution Center. USPS responded to

the SLA’s application on March 23,

1999, indicating that they would not

agree to the terms of the SLA’s

application for the permit. On March 29,

1999, representatives from the SLA and

USPS met to discuss the application.

USPS’s position concerning the

application was that the vendor selected

for the location at the Processing and

Distribution Center would be required

to physically be present at the facility 40

hours per week (the ‘‘on-site support’’

provision), and the vendor would be

precluded from operating any other

vending facility location on the property

(the ‘‘exclusivity’’ provision). USPS

further indicated that these terms were

non-negotiable and would be required

to be included in the application and

the resulting vending permit.

On March 30, 1999, the SLA

contacted USPS about the pending

negotiations on the vending permit and

was informed that the on-site support

and exclusivity provisions were new

permit terms required of blind vendors,

but not commercial vendors.

On April 16, 1999, the SLA requested

in writing that USPS either approve or

deny its application for a vending

permit at the Processing and

Distribution Center. The SLA did not

receive a response from USPS and

subsequently filed a request with the

Secretary of the Department of

Education (Department) to convene a

Federal arbitration panel. The SLA

alleged that the priority provisions of

the Act and its implementing

regulations had been violated. An

arbitration pre-hearing on this matter

was held on December 7, 1999, which

resulted in a Stipulated Agreement

concerning the issues and facts of the

dispute. The parties agreed that the

arbitration panel’s written award on the

stipulated issues would dispose of the

dispute without the need for an

arbitration hearing. The panel submitted

a Final Award and Decision to the

Department on March 17, 2000. On May

16, 2000, the Department received a

copy, signed by all parties, of the

Stipulated Agreement.

Arbitration Panel Decision

The stipulated issues addressed by

the arbitration panel were:

1(A). Have limitations been placed on

blind vendors as defined by the

Randolph-Sheppard Act?

(B). If so, does the U.S. Postal Service

have a legal requirement to submit those

limitations to the U.S. Department of

Education for the Secretary’s

determination that they are justified?

2. Is the Postal Service in violation of

the Act and the U.S. Constitution by

requiring on-site support and

exclusivity provisions of RandolphSheppard vendors, but not of

commercial vendors?

3. If the Postal Service did violate the

Randolph-Sheppard Act on any of these

issues, what is the authority of the

arbitration panel to determine the

appropriate remedy or remedies?

The arbitration panel ruled that the

on-site support and exclusivity

provisions required by USPS were

limitations as provided in the Act and

must be approved by the Secretary of

Education and published in the Federal

Register before they could be required

as conditions of approval for the SLA’s

application. The panel further ruled that

by requiring the on-site support and