Authority: § 51.5-1 and Title 51.5, Chapter 1, Code of Virginia; P.L. 93-516 and P.L. 93-112, Federal Code.

A. It is the intent of the General Assembly that visually handicapped persons who have completed vocational training as food service managers through programs operated by the Department be considered for food service management position openings within the Commonwealth as they arise.

B. The federal vocational rehabilitation grant award amount for the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) is estimated at $9,629,262. Based on this projection, DBVI shall not expend, without prior written concurrence from the Director, Department of Planning and Budget, more state appropriation than what is minimally necessary to meet the annual 21.3 percent state matching requirement and avoid the loss of federal dollars. This provision applies to the annual federal vocational rehabilitation grant award as well as any additional allotments requiring state match that may be made available to DBVI. Any increases in total grant award spending shall be reported to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees within 30 days.

C. As a condition of this appropriation, the Department shall set aside for small, women-owned, or minority-owned businesses, with such contractors certified by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, any and all contracts for goods and services authorized to be provided by the Department under Section 51.5-100 of the Code of Virginia and shall issue a request for proposals not later than May 1, 2016 for such goods and services for which the Department contracts.