Information Regarding the 2019 SARS-CoV-2

FAQs 

Materials Available

Coming Soon

Forms
 

BEI Resources currently does not have a shortage or a delay in shipping virus and RNA to qualified laboratories. We understand how important it is to share virus strains and derivatives with researchers, especially during an outbreak.

BEI Resources is prioritizing and fast tracking all SARS-CoV-2 registrations and orders.  We anticipate a 12-72 hour turn-around time for all SARS-CoV-2 related registrations and a 24-48 hour turn-around time on approved orders.  Please indicate SARS-CoV-2 in your scope of use in your registration paperwork.  Please contact BEI Resources at contact@beiresources.org for questions.

BEI Resources is working to accession strains of the 2019 novel coronavirus, recently named SARS-CoV-2, identified as the causative agent of an outbreak of viral pneumonia, COVID-19. We understand how important it is to share virus strains and derivatives with researchers, especially during an outbreak.

We anticipate a large number of requests from the research community for these reagents, and we cannot guarantee how quickly stock will become available. Please continue checking for updates.

If you wish to transfer SARS-CoV-2 materials, please use the guidance provided in the Emergency Use Simple Letter Agreement.

The BEI Resources catalog offers additional coronavirus materials ready and available for distribution to qualified laboratories.

For access to BEI Resources full catalog, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Is there currently a shortage or delay in receiving SARS-CoV-2 virus isolates or RNA from BEI Resources?
2. How long will it take to get SARS-CoV-2 materials?
3. How long will it take to process my registration to receive SARS-CoV-2 materials?
4. Who is qualified to receive SARS-CoV-2 materials?
5. What level of registration do I need to receive SARS-CoV-2 materials?
6. What is the Emergency Use Simple Letter Agreement (EUSLA)?
7. Is the Emergency Use Simple Letter Agreement required if only ordering the RNA?
8. If I have questions regarding SARS-CoV-2 materials, who do I contact?
9. How much do SARS-CoV-2 materials cost?
10. Are COVID-19 patient samples currently available from BEI Resources?
11. How do I obtain test kits for COVID-19?
12. Why is the SARS-CoV-2 RNA (NR-52285) only distributed to facilities which have BSL-2 laboratories?
13. Can I transfer SARS-CoV-2 materials?
14. Can I commercialize SARS COV-2 materials?
15. Am I required to obtain a CDC permit for the transfer of SARS-CoV-2 isolates?
16. Where do I find product documentation (Product Sheet, Certificate of Analyses, etc.) for BEI Resources products?
17. How do I find out about SARS-CoV-2 products coming soon?

Question: Is there currently a shortage or delay in receiving SARS-CoV-2 virus isolates or RNA from BEI Resources?

Answer: No, BEI Resources currently does not have a shortage or a delay in shipping virus and RNA to qualified laboratories. We understand how important it is to share virus strains and derivatives with researchers, especially during an outbreak.

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Question: How long will it take to get SARS-CoV-2 materials?

Answer: BEI Resources is prioritizing all SARS-CoV-2 shipments.  Shipments are generally being made within 24-48 hours of completed requests.  If permits are required, these timelines are dependent on obtaining those permits.  Please contact us at contact@beiresources.org for any shipment questions.

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Question: How long will it take to process my registration to receive SARS-CoV-2 materials?

Answer: BEI Resources is prioritizing and fast tracking all SARS-CoV-2 registrations.  We anticipate a 12-72 hour turn-around time for all SARS-CoV-2 related registrations.  Please indicate SARS-CoV-2 in your scope of use.  Please contact BEI Resources at contact@beiresources.org for questions.

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Question: Who is qualified to receive SARS-CoV-2 materials?

Answer: Registration with BEI Resources is required to request SARS-CoV-2 materials. BEI Resources reagents are shared with registered individuals and organizations doing research on Emerging Infections and other relevant areas of interest related to Microbiology. To register you must be affiliated with a public, private, academic, non-profit or for-profit institution. Registrants must demonstrate they work in an established institution with facilities and safety programs appropriate for the Level of registration requested.

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Question: What level of registration do I need to receive SARS-CoV-2 materials?

Answer: Each product on the BEI Resources website lists a BEI Resources level of registration.  Interested researchers will need to ensure they are registered at the appropriate level to receive materials.  Please click here for registration instructions.  If you need to upgrade your registration to a higher level, please click here for instructions.

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Question: What is the Emergency Use Simple Letter Agreement (EUSLA)?

Answer: The Emergency Use Simple Letter Agreement outlines the terms in which SARS-CoV-2 materials are being provided.  In light of the emergence of the novel coronavirus, 2019-SARS-CoV-2, and urgent need to mitigate the pathogen’s spread, the EUSLA was instituted for the provision of these materials under the terms outlined in the agreement. The EUSLA is not negotiable.

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Question: Is the Emergency Use Simple Letter Agreement required if only ordering the genomic RNA?

Answer: Yes, the EUSLA is required by Health and Human Services even if you are only ordering the genomic RNA. Please note that the signature of an authorized official (biosafety officer) to certify that your facility can safely handle the material is only required for receipt of the virus.

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Question: If I have questions regarding SARS-CoV-2 materials, who do I contact?

Answer: Please contact BEI Resources at contact@beiresources.org for any questions regarding SARS-CoV-2 materials.

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Question: How much do SARS-CoV-2 materials cost?

Answer: All BEI Resources reagents, including SARS-CoV-2 materials, are provided world-wide at no cost. While there is no cost for the reagents themselves, additional shipping and handling charges may apply and will display in the shopping cart if applicable.

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Question: Are COVID-19 patient samples currently available from BEI Resources?

Answer: We understand how important it is to share patient samples, including sera, nasal swabs and PBMCs, with researchers, especially during an outbreak. We do not currently have a timeline for when these samples will become available. When ready, we anticipate a large number of requests from the research community for patient samples related to the pandemic, and we do not yet know what quantity of samples will be available. Please contact our email box at contact@beiresources.org with your request and we will forward your request to NIAID so that they can prioritize those samples once available.

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Question: How do I obtain test kits for COVID-19?

Answer: Test kits are not distributed through BEI Resources. The CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel was developed for qualified domestic public health laboratories to detect SARS-CoV-2. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) on February 4, 2020, to enable emergency use of the test kit in the United States. CDC has produced EUA and Research Use Only (RUO) test kits that are now available to order by domestic and international public health partners through IRR (www.internationalreagentresource.org). Please contact the International Reagent Resources program for more information – contact@internationalreagentresource.org.

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Question: Why is the SARS-CoV-2 RNA (NR-52285) only distributed to facilities which have BSL-2 laboratories?

Answer: CDC guidelines state that molecular analysis of extracted nucleic acid preparations should be performed in BSL-2 facility using standard BSL-2 work practices. The CDC guidelines can be found in the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/lab/lab-biosafety-guidelines.html

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Question: Can I transfer SARS-CoV-2 materials?

Answer: “Material” as used in this answer, means the original material or any unmodified progeny received from BEI Resources and excludes any derivatives made by the recipient. The SARS-CoV-2 materials received under the EUSLA, and as defined above, may be further distributed to other entities for legitimate purposes required to rapidly prevent, detect, prepare for, and respond to, the spread or transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and under terms no more restrictive than the Emergency Use Simple Letter Agreement (EUSLA). To ensure compliance with this, copies of the EUSLA or MTAs recording all further transfers must be sent back to contact@beiresources.org. This requirement must also be incorporated for further transfers. The recipient and provider agree to transfer, use, manage, and control the SARS-CoV-2 materials in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. When these commodities, technology or software are exported from the United States, the recipient agrees to comply with the Export Administration Regulations. Diversion contrary to U.S. law is prohibited. Any new materials made by you that are not the original material or unmodified progeny are excluded from this requirement and you are free to share and commercialize those as your materials.

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Question: Can I commercialize SARS COV-2 materials? 

Answer: SARS-CoV-2 materials provided by BEI Resources under the EUSLA are made available for any legitimate purpose, including commercial purposes as long as they are to rapidly prevent, detect, prepare for, and respond to, the spread or transmission of the 2019 SARS-CoV-2.  Any further transfer of the original material or any unmodified progeny must be done under the terms of the EUSLA, documented as described above and you must notify BEI Resources of each subsequent transfer.  Any new materials made by you that are not the original material or unmodified progeny are excluded from this requirement and you are free to share and commercialize those as your materials. 

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Question: Am I required to obtain a CDC permit for the transfer of SARS-CoV-2 isolates?

Answer: The BEI Resources website provides a link on each product detail page for applicable permits. Please check the individual product detail pages for this information. SARS-CoV-2 isolates which originate from the United States do not require a CDC permit for domestic transfer. SARS-CoV-2 isolates which are deposited into BEI Resources outside of the USA, will be brought into the repository under a CDC permit, and will require a CDC permit for transfer.

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Question: Where do I find product documentation (Product Sheet, Certificate of Analyses, etc.) for BEI Resources products?

Answer: All Product Sheets and Certificates of Analysis can be found on the BEI Resources website. Perform a search for the product, and you will find the documentation. Any product listed as requiring a BSL-3 facility, will require login first to view the documentation. Only BEI Level 3 registrants will have access to view and download products requiring BSL-3 facilities.

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Question: How do I find out about SARS-CoV-2 products coming soon?

Answer: BEI Resources will list the status of SARS-CoV-2 products coming soon in the table above titled Coming Soon and Expected Availability.

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Forms

Emergency Use Simple Letter Agreement (EUSLA)

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