Question: Where can I get genomic RNA for my test?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Laboratory Testing and COVID-19
section_headers: For All Laboratories: Accessing Laboratory Testing
Under what circumstances should laboratories use either a SARS-CoV-2 viral or serology (antibody) test that has received EUA from FDA?
section_content: FDA has authorized EUAs for both viral and antibody tests for COVID-19. Viral
(nucleic acid and antigen) tests are used to diagnose the presence of SARS-
CoV-2 infections. In contrast, antibody tests can detect IgG, IgA, and IgM
antibodies from an immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
Whenever possible, laboratories should rely on viral tests to diagnose the
presence of SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, a negative result from viral
testing does not rule out COVID-19.
Most of the PCR-based tests that use two or more targets are likely to have
high specificity (few false positives). However, there is some variation in
the stated sensitivity of the different assays, and sensitivity is highly
dependent on the stage of the disease. For this reason, negative results
should always be interpreted in the context of the exposure history and
symptoms of the patient.
Results from antibody testing should not be used to diagnose or exclude SARS-
CoV-2 infections or to inform infection status. Negative results from antibody
testing do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infections, particularly for those
individuals who have been exposed to the virus and are still within the
estimated incubation period. Until the performance characteristics of antibody
tests have been evaluated, it is possible that positive results from such
testing may be due to past or present infections with a coronavirus other than
SARS-CoV-2.
If a laboratory initially uses antibody testing for diagnostic purposes,
follow-up testing using a viral test should be performed.
Read: Important Information on the Use of Serological (Antibody) Tests for
COVID-19: FDA Letter to Healthcare Providersexternal
icon
More: FDA EUA Authorized Serology Test Performanceexternal
icon

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Genomic RNA is not mentioned at all in the answer.
This is a bad answer because it doesn’t state which labs in specific have genomic RNA for testing. Therefore, this does not provide an answer to the question.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Laboratory Testing and COVID-19
section_headers: For All Laboratories: Accessing Laboratory Testing
Can a pooling strategy be used to expand nucleic acid testing for SARS-CoV-2?
section_content: In areas with low COVID-19 prevalence, a two-stage specimen pooling approach
can help preserve testing reagents and resources. In the first stage, several
patients’ specimens are combined before extraction, and then tested all at
once. If the test comes back negative, then all of those patients can be
cleared with one test. If the test comes back positive, then all of those
specimens need to be extracted and re-tested individually.
The lower the prevalence of the disease, the larger the optimal pool size can
be. A recent studyexternal
icon from the
Nebraska Public Health Laboratory found that polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
tests for SARS-CoV-2 reliably return a positive result when one positive
sample is mixed with four negatives. Researchers in Germany and Israel have
had similar results.
A pooling strategy is not efficient when the prevalence of COVID-19 is
high. People with symptoms and people who have been exposed to someone with a
confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection should still be tested individually.
Before using a pooling strategy, the laboratory must have the proper
regulatory approvals. If the manufacturer’s guidelines and the emergency use
authorization (EUA) for that SARS-CoV-2 test do not stipulate pooling,
laboratories that use authorized nucleic acid devices can still bridge to
alternative components, including extraction methods, PCR instruments,
software versions, etc., under Section IV. A. 4. of FDA’s Policy for COVID-19
Tests During the Public Health Emergencyexternal
icon. These component changes can be achieved through evaluation
and verification of the performance of the component with the test, without a
new EUA or an amendment to the original EUA. Additional detail and suggested
studies are discussed in FDA’s policy. The process used for such changes must
also comply with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
(CLIA) guidelines.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Genomic RNA is not mentioned anywhere is the answer.
This answer is bad because it doesn’t give any information as to which labs have genomic RNA for COVID testing. Therefore, it does not answer the question.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Laboratory Testing and COVID-19
section_headers: For All Laboratories: Test Developers
Where do test developers get the genomic RNA needed to validate test performance for FDA?
section_content: 
Currently, genomic RNA material can be used for validation purposes in biosafety level 2 laboratories (BSL-2). Genomic RNA material is available through BEI Resourcesexternal icon. Registrationexternal icon with BEI Resources is required to request SARS-CoV-2 materials. BEI Resources is prioritizing and fast-tracking all SARS-CoV-2 registrations with a 12- to 72-hour turnaround time for all SARS-CoV-2-related registrations. Please contact BEI Resources at contact@beiresources.org or 1-800 359-7370 for questions.
Developers are required to sign a material transfer agreement prior to the release of materials.
All BEI Resources reagents are provided worldwide. There is no cost for the reagents themselves. However, shipping and handling charges may apply.
Commercial sources also may have this material.
For Public Health Laboratories: If a kit to detect the virus (SAR-CoV-2) is needed, contact the International Reagent Resource external icon


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
The answer provides links to get more information on the tests. Part of the answer doesn't seem relevant.
This is an excellent answer because it labels which types of labs have genomic RNA for COVID testing purposes, and how they can be obtained. Therefore, it fully answers the question.

Reviewer ratings:
Acceptable
Excellent