Classified Shredding Services to Provide Secure Document Destruction Services to Government Agencies “It was the smoothest approval process I’ve ever witnessed” Those were the words of Brian Bateman, Product Service Development Analyst with NYSID, the New York State Industries for the Disabled, regarding a proposal to have the New York State Procurement Council approve NYSID and its agencies as the Preferred Source for secure document destruction. The timing was perfect, New York State was in the process of updating the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. The Schedule, a 314-page document, indicates the minimum length of time officials must retain records before they can be disposed of, and encourages the systematic disposal of unneeded records. LAI Staff worked with NYSID to gather the information necessary for the Preferred Source proposal. And as the only agency in Western New York offering document destruction, Lifetime Assistance, dba Classified Shredding Services (CSS), was awarded the Western New York territory including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and the Southern tier. Two other non-profit agencies are providing services throughout the remaining parts of the state. This collaboration allows not only governments, but businesses statewide, to have their documents shredding by organizations that provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. All three agencies are required to maintain AAA Certification awarded by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID). NAID is a non-profit organization with one purpose – to champion the responsible destruction of confidential information and materials by promoting the highest standards and ethics. AAA Certification verifies that CSS complies with standards set for employee clearance, security, destruction and disposition of shredded documents. What does the preferred source designation mean to CSS and its employees? Basically, government agencies can now contract with CSS for document destruction without having to go through the standard request for quotation process. And, with all other factors being equal, CSS is the preferred source for shredding government documents. CSS has already begun shredding for the Churchville-Chili School District and the City of Rochester, and has received purchase orders from Monroe County. Since its founding two years ago, Classified Shredding Services (CSS) has seen tremendous growth in opportunities for Vocational Services participants. Participants travel to customer locations to pick up documents and operate the shredding system. With over 125 locations using CSS to shred their documents, and the recent designation as the New York State Preferred Source, CSS and its crew will continue to provide a valuable service not just to the local business community but to state agencies as well.