August 17, 2022

DEADLINE: Friday, September 16, 2022

The AOAC Stakeholder Program on Agent Detection Assays (SPADA) Working Group (WG) III, Developing NGS Standards for Validation Criteria for Databases and in silico Processes WG III, recently completed its development and review of Standard Requirements for Nucleotide Sequences used in Biothreat Agent Detection, Identification, and Quantification: Verified Next Generation Sequences (VNGS) and is now accepting public comments.

Comment Process

The public comment period is open through Friday, September 16, 2022. Comments will be compiled and reconciled. The document may be revised, if necessary, based on comments received.

Please see the AOAC SPADA WG III Draft Standard for Comment

Comments must be submitted using the Comment Form provided. Marked up documents will not be accepted.

AOAC will also host a brief oral comment session for this draft standard during the AOAC Annual Meeting during the AOAC SPADA meeting on Saturday, August 27, 2022, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST. For more information on this session, please contact Deborah McKenzie at [email protected].     

Comment Guidelines:

  1. For specific comments, state the page number and the line number and/or range of line numbers in each document for which the comment applies.
  2. Provide rationale as to why the editor should consider the comment.
  3. Specify if the comment is an editorial, technical/scientific, or general.
  1. Editorial comments provide additional clarification or correct typographical errors. Please suggest alternative wording or corrections if you have an editorial comment.
  2. Technical or Scientific related comments provide technical or scientific clarity and comprehensiveness. Please suggest the appropriate technical language. Documents will be reviewed by AOAC and the working group chair(s) for accuracy and clarity.
  3. General comments reflect a perspective on content documented/undocumented in the drafts. Please provide language that documents the perspective or position.

To view the draft standard and submit a comment, please click here.

All comments are due by Friday, September 16, 2022. The AOAC team will address all questions and reserves the right to not accept comments received after this deadline.

Submit Your Comments >

Questions? Please contact Saliha Argubie, AOAC Program Coordinator, Standards and Official Methods, at [email protected]