June 19, 2025 – The Tommy Nobis Center has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association to support the “Making Safer Choices” project, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that aims to promote safer and more sustainable cleaning practices.
The two-year initiative, currently active in Pennsylvania and New York, is led by ISSA in partnership with Penn State College of Medicine and the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Medicine. The project is designed to help businesses make informed decisions about safer cleaning products that support public health, environmental protection, and economic growth. With the addition of the Tommy Nobis Center, the program now expands its capacity to reach a broader and more diverse range of participants.
“We’re honored to partner with ISSA on this transformative initiative,” said David Suddreth, Chief Operating Officer at Tommy Nobis Center. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to empower people through employment while contributing to healthier workplaces and communities.”
An entity of Tommy Nobis Center, Nobis Enterprises, Inc. (NE), is a nonprofit with over 40 years’ experience as an AbilityOne contractor. NE services government contracts by training and employing people with disabilities and delivering high-quality business solutions. They provide administrative, custodial, mail center, and supply room services supporting 10 federal government contracts in over 20 states that include:
- Dobbins Air Reserve Base – Custodial Services
- Travis and Columbus Air Force Base – Mail Services
- EPA Region 3 Philadelphia – Mail and Supply Room Services
- EPA Region 4 Atlanta – Mail and Supply Room Services
- Department of Defense, Army, Corps of Engineers – Mail Services
- Department of Housing and Urban Development – Nationwide Administrative and Mail Services
- Department of Health and Human Services, CDC – Mail Services
- Social Security Administration – Mail Services
- Internal Revenue Service (San Diego and Portland) – Mail Services
- Department of Energy – Custodial Services
Through this partnership, Nobis Enterprises will help identify businesses and government facilities to participate in the project’s core activities, including surveys, focus groups, product demonstrations, and customized education and training.
The “Making Safer Choices” project includes the following key activities and deliverables:
- Stakeholder Mapping: Identifying decision-makers and frontline cleaning professionals across industries.
- Surveys and Focus Groups: Gathering data on current cleaning product use, purchasing decisions, and awareness of safer alternatives.
- Toolkit Development: Creating print and video-based educational materials tailored for different sectors, such as government buildings, schools, nursing homes, supermarkets, hotels, religious institutions, and universities.
- Training and Demonstrations: Hosting in-person and virtual sessions on safer cleaning practices, supported by real-world product demonstrations.
- Case Studies: Producing written and video case studies showcasing successful transitions to safer products.
- Technical Assistance: Offering guidance to businesses on procurement processes that prioritize safer chemical ingredients.
“By engaging organizations like Tommy Nobis Center, we’re expanding our reach to include federal facilities and government contractors who play a vital role in maintaining public infrastructure,” said Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, senior director at ISSA and co-principal investigator of the project. “Their participation strengthens the integrity and impact of our mission to make cleaning safer for everyone.”
Tommy Nobis Center’s involvement not only supports its commitment to inclusive employment and high standards of custodial and administrative service but also helps amplify environmental justice by addressing pollution prevention at the source-where and how cleaning happens every day.
As part of the MOU, Nobis Enterprises will help nominate customer sites to participate in education pilots and case study videos. ISSA and university partners will provide technical support and co-develop resources that will be freely available to Nobis clients and employees.
This collaboration highlights the growing momentum behind safer cleaning products and the value of public-private partnerships in advancing health, sustainability, and equity across industries.
For more information about the Making Safer Choices project, visit: issa.com/making-safer-choices
To learn more about Nobis Enterprises’ government solutions, visit: tommynobiscenter.org/government-solutions