FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

How do I place an order?

 

Before requesting isolates from the NARSA Program, you must first complete a formal Registration Form with the program to be approved as a NARSA Registered User. Your registration will be valid unless you leave your current institution.  You may download the Registration Form or receive your registration form via e-mail by accessing our online Request for Registration Form.

 

You must complete and sign the Registration Form, and have an authorized institutional official sign where indicated, and submit this form in hard copy with your original signature to the NARSA program. Your Registration Form is not processed until you submit the hard copy original of the form to the NARSA Program. The Registration Form is reviewed and approved by the NARSA Executive Committee, and this approval, along with issuance of a specific password which allows you to have access to specific information and data concerning the contents of the NARSA Repository, will be promptly provided to you by the NARSA Administrator.

 

Please be advised that any VRS (vancomycin resistant Staph. aureus) related requests will require an additional approval process from CDC. The process is to ensure the individual and organization which order the strains have had training and are competent in handling these isolates, have a sound scientific plan for the strains and will comply with all applicable regulatory and institution's policies. Due to the infrequent meeting of the Safety committee at CDC, the process may take from 2 to 4 months before the authorization is granted. Once approved, subsequent VRS requests won't have to go through the process again until there is a change of employment.

 

 Once I am approved as a Registered User, what is the process for ordering strains from the NARSA Repository?

 

Once you have been approved as a Registered User, a user ID and password will be issued to you which will allow you to order strains, access specific data and information pertaining to the contents of the NARSA Repository as well as the on-line Strain Request Form.

 

In order to initiate your request, you must complete the on-line Strain Request Form, print a copy of your order, sign and fax it to the NARSA program at 1+703-480-2670 to the attention of NARSA Administrator for processing.

 

Do you accept Registration by FAX?

 

Registration forms are NOT accepted by FAX. Original, ink signatures are required on the Registration Form.

 

Strain Request Forms are accepted by facsimile.

 

 How much do the isolates cost?

 

All of the isolates listed in our repository are free to NARSA Registered Users. If you are a Registered User but not a NARSA Core Investigator, you must pay for the shipping costs by providing us with your account number with a carrier such as FedEx or you can provide us with credit card information by contacting the NARSA Administrator at 703-480-2500. Please reference your order number when calling.

 

The carrier will bill you directly. We CANNOT ship isolates collect.

 

 Who is a NARSA Core Investigator?

 

A NARSA Core Investigator is an NIAID-funded investigator whose research focuses on S. aureus, and antimicrobial resistance. These NIAID-funded investigators together with staff from the NIAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other basic scientists, epidemiologists, clinical microbiologists and clinical investigators whose research focuses on S. aureus, and antimicrobial resistance comprise the NARSA network.

 

How long will it take to get my isolates?

 

Scientists in the U.S. can generally expect to have their order shipped within two weeks after the strains request is completed, i.e., shipping account provided and active, order request is signed and faxed. If additional paperwork is required, or the order forms are incomplete, the order will be held until all outstanding issues are resolved.

 

Because of the requirements for export permits and regulations involved in shipping hazardous materials overseas, researchers in foreign countries can expect to wait up to four weeks or more before receiving their order.

 

For International Registered Users:

 

All isolates in NARSA repository are considered UN3373 by IATA in section 3.6.2 Division 6.2 Infectious Substances. Please see here and here.

 

These isolates sent from Eurofins Medinet, Inc. are packaged according to IATA guidelines. However, each individual country has its own local Custom laws/guidelines. Therefore to ensure that your package arrives at your destination without any further delays, please contact your customs to determine appropriate paperwork needed for its clearance and send it to Eurofins Medinet, Inc., preferable at the time of your order is placed.