December 17, 2008

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs today released details for street vending opportunities during the 2009 Inauguration on January 20, 2009 and will begin accepting applications immediately.

All parties interested in vending in the District of Columbia on January 20, 2009 must either be currently licensed by the District of Columbia or apply to receive a Temporary 2009 Inaugural Vending Badge which will serve as their license for the event.

The Temporary 2009 Inaugural Vending Badge will only be valid on January 20, 2009 and only in designated areas established throughout the city. Only currently licensed District vendors are authorized to vend in the District of Columbia on any other dates.

The District of Columbia has designated more than 700 sites near to the parade route as the special Inaugural Vending Zone. These sites will be distributed through three lotteries. The winners of these lotteries will be announced on January 6, 2009.

The District of Columbia is in the process of establishing more than 1,000 overflow vending locations across the city for all parties who receive a Temporary 2009 Inaugural Vending Badge. These overflow vending locations will be announced in early January and located near the city's major transportation hubs.

Currently licensed vendors who normally operate at sites outside the Inaugural Vending Zone can conduct business as normal with their current vending license and do need to obtain any additional licensure or permits.

Currently licensed DC vendors displaced as a result of security measures for Inauguration Day have the choice of being relocated to a site outside the Inaugural Vending Zone or to participate in the displaced vendor lottery for first choice of locations inside the Inaugural Vending Zone. Vendors who choose not to enter into the lottery will be relocated at no additional charge to closest possible location outside of the Inaugural Vending Zone.

Applications must be delivered in person or postmarked by December 30, 2008 along with all applicable fees and supporting documentation.

 

(Washington, DC) - The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs has received thousands of phone calls and emails from those interesting in vending during the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2009.

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is working closely with city, regional and federal officials – including the Presidential Inaugural Committee – to finalize rules for street vending on this important day.

We expect to finalize the requirements in the next 10 days and will post the 2009 Inauguration Day Street Vending Application on dcra.dc.gov as soon as possible.

All vendors who have signed up to receive email alerts for the Inauguration will receive a message when the application package has been posted. If you have not signed up, send an email to dcracommunications@dc.gov with “Inauguration” in the subject line to receive the alerts.

Based on preliminary numbers, we expect to issue approximately 500 temporary vending licenses for the event. These numbers could change after a review by security officials.

Once applications are processed and reviewed, the sites will be distributed on January 6, 2009 through a computerized lottery system conducted by an independent contractor. Names of those selected in the lottery will be posted to dcra.dc.gov that day.

Vendors will be required to pick-up the license in person, complete the registration and pay all applicable fees between January 7, 2009 and January 14, 2009 at DCRA, 941 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20002. If you are an out-of-town vendor, please plan accordingly.

These licenses will be valid January 20, 2009 only.

While you still have to wait for a few more days to submit your application, here are some things you can do now:

• The FBI will conduct a background investigation of all applicants. You must also obtain a certified State Police Criminal History Report for the jurisdiction in which you reside. You can obtain this report through your local law enforcement authorities. You will be required to submit this form as part of your application.
• Each vendor will be permitted to have up to two additional employees. These employees must also obtain a certified State Police Criminal History Report for the jurisdiction in which they reside.
• All vendors planning to sell food during the event must have a Certified Food Manager Certificate from the jurisdiction in which they reside. You will be required to submit this with your application.

The District government can not issue any license or permit if the applicant owes more than $100.00 in outstanding debt to the District of Columbia. You will be required to verify that you meet this requirement as part of the application. Please review your records and plan accordingly.

We thank you for your patience. Again, please send an email to dcracommunications@dc.gov with “Inauguration” in the subject line to receive the alerts.