Users must review and sign the BSL-3 Core Policies and Procedures and the BSL-3 Core Service Agreement forms and return to bsl3core@usf.edu.

BSL-3 Core Policies and Procedures

General Policies

1. All USF faculty, staff and students who wish to use the BSL-3 Core must take the hands-on BSL-3 training. A BSL-3 staff member will be available during appointments with the Core to assist as necessary.
   1. If desired, labor for sample preparation may be provided by the BSL-3 Core for a fee.
   2. Requests for sample preparation by the BSL-3 Core can be made through the BSL-3 Core website.
2. Be punctual. If you are going to be late, contact the staff representative for the BSL-3 Core. We will make every effort to ensure you have the requested amount of time with the instrument suite, but we may need to reschedule the analysis when required by previously scheduled workloads.
3. Plan accordingly. Depending on the workload and if you need time beyond the initially scheduled appointment, you may be asked to schedule a later time to finish your experiment.
   1. Previously scheduled appointments will take first priority.
   2. All work with animals in the BSL-3 Core must be done between 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM Monday through Friday. A Core supervisor must be available in the IDRB at all times during a reservation. Use of the Core after hours for experimentation with animals is not permitted.
   3. Experimentation such as inoculation, necropsy, or other activities involving extensive use of the Biosafety cabinet is prohibited on weekends and University holidays.
4. Reservations must be made at least 72 hours in advance. This allows for adequate time for fee assessment and approvals.
5. Make sure that potentially biohazardous experiments are approved by the Institutional Safety Board.
6. The Policies and Procedures must be signed annually by each user of the BSL-3 Core.

Training

Independent usage of the BSL-3 Core requires one-on-one, hands-on training. This training provides comprehensive, in-depth training on the use of equipment, preparation of samples, execution of emergency and facility procedures and project specific protocols. The training emphasizes proper handling and movements to prevent the unintentional loss or release of infectious agents. The training should take approximately 7-10 days, depending on the project. The training is individualized and is not complete until either the Core manager or Director have observed the trainee perform the activity independently with no mistakes.BSL-3 / ABSL-3 Hands-on Training encompasses all aspects of working in a facility where level 3 agents are stored and researched. All individuals must have prior experience in a Biosafety level 2 laboratory prior to obtaining training for BSL-3 / ABSL-3. Hands-on training candidates must be listed on an active Biological Use Authorization (BUA) with USF Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and if applicable, an active approved Animal Use Protocol with USF Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). All individuals must complete the required EH&S training courses and enroll in the campus Occupational Health Program and receive medical clearance to work in a BSL-3 / ABSL-3 laboratory. BSL-3 / ABSL-3 laboratory specific training includes, but is not limited to: understanding of the BSL-3 / ABSL-3 biosafety manual, facility specific SOPs and policies, laboratory equipment training, agent inactivation/decontamination policies, entry and exit procedures, waste management, autoclave operation and maintenance, incident response and reporting requirements, removal of materials and equipment from BSL-3 / ABSL-3 facility, policies and procedures for shipping/receiving materials and inventory, agent-specific training, understanding signs and symptoms of agents housed in the facility, medical surveillance plan, animal handling procedures (if applicable), aerosol-transmissible disease standards, spills inside/outside BSC, general facility failures – HVAC and fire alarms, accidental exposure procedures, incident response plan, biosecurity, natural disasters, and demonstration of proficiencies for active research regarding agents housed under BSL-3 / ABSL-3 conditions. Laboratory researchers must complete this comprehensive, hands-on training to ensure awareness of the hazards and risks associated with the BSL-3 / ABSL-3 facility, and to be fully capable of working safely to protect themselves, the laboratory, the community, and the environment from potential contamination. With guidance and strict oversight, researchers will be trained to perform all necessary experimental and laboratory safety protocols. Following select agent certification and after successful practical demonstration of proficiency, final approval and access to the facility shall be granted by the BSL-3 Director and the BSL-3 laboratory manager. Once an individual has received clearance to perform work in the BSL-3 facility, the respective PI must approve the qualified research staff member prior to initiating work within the facility.

Sample Preparation

For researchers needing inactivated antigen, nucleic acid, neutralization assays, necropsy, etc. the BSL-3 Core may provide these services for a fee. Project information and researcher needs may be submitted for approval using the BSL-3 Core Project Assistance Submit Sheet.

Publications

Publications based on work conducted in the BSL-3 Core should acknowledge the facility as follows: This work has been supported in part by the BSL-3 Core.

BSL-3 Core Service Agreement

1. Users must read and sign the acknowledgement below on the Service Agreement and must sign the acknowledgement on the Policies and Procedures document provided by the BSL-3 Core before scheduling time in the Core.
   1. The Service Agreement must be completed by certified users once per fiscal year and the policies and procedures documents needs to be completed once by each certified user.
2. Users must complete the BSL-3 hands-on training before they can be authorized to sign this Service Agreement and become a certified user.
   1. The BSL-3 Manager will keep records of who has completed the hands-on training.
3. The BSL-3 Core rate sheet lists the cost per service, which includes necessary reagents and materials.
4. It is the user’s responsibility to follow protocol and maintain documentation of IRB, IACUC, etc.
5. BSL-3 Core staff will not perform labor for projects. All labor, sample preparation, etc. must be performed by the user.
6. The BSL-3 Core is not liable for experimental failure.
7. Up to two (2) hours of consultation time will be provided for each project requested to ensure that correct sample preparation and methodologies are performed. Consultation time exceeding two (2) hours will be invoiced.
8. To schedule time in the BSL-3 Core, certified users must submit a reservation request through iLAB. The certified user and the designated PI will receive a quote for the work, and the PI must sign the quote and provide a chartfield before work can begin in the Core.
   1. After work is completed, an invoice will be sent to the certified user and PI within 14 days.
9. All data generated through the BSL-3 Core will be stored on the Core server for 6 months pending storage availability. After this time, the data will be erased from the Core server. Users must transfer their data or back it up to a separate location by this time or they will forfeit the data generated.
10. User assumes accountability for neglect or misuse of BSL-3 Core instruments during their scheduled time of use. Users are liable for fees for gross decontamination and damage or destruction of equipment. If equipment appears to be malfunctioning, the user must contact the BSL-3 Core staff contact immediately.
11. Failure to comply with regulations, policies and procedures will result in suspension of access to the BSL-3 Core.