Voluntary Use and Ordering of COVID-19 Self-Test Kits
FSIS Notice
37-22
Issue Date
Jul 05, 2022
Expiration Date
Jul 01, 2023
Full Notice
- PURPOSE
This notice provides instructions to FSIS supervisors and program resource managers on how to order COVID-19 rapid self-test kits for voluntary use by employees. COVID-19 rapid self-test kits are available for FSIS employees for voluntary use in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) testing guidance and can be ordered for any work-related reason, assuming that the employee will be entering a physical worksite or attending a work-related meeting or conference. Employees do not need to provide justification or documentation to request the test. Employees who spend 100% of time remote are not eligible, except those requesting test kits for work-related travel. - BACKGROUND
Training slides with additional instructions to supplement the instructions provided by the manufacturer in the test kits may be accessed here. - EXAMPLES OF WHEN COVID-19 SELF-TESTS MAY BE USED ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS
- Diagnostic testing:
- Employees who become symptomatic can perform testing at the same time symptoms develop;
- Employees who have been exposed (CDC guidance defines exposure and provides guidance on timeframe for testing) to persons with COVID-19 can perform testing. Employees who have no symptoms and have been exposed should refer to the CDC guidance on the number of days they should wait to perform testing after they have had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
- Employees can test prior to, and immediately following, official travel in accordance with CDC guidance. Those returning from personal travel and subsequently need to return to the physical workplace may also test.
- Employees can test when attending conferences and work meetings prior to the start of the meeting, daily for the full duration of the meeting, and after the conclusion of the meeting in accordance with CDC guidance.
- Employees at the physical worksite who are not fully vaccinated and who have no symptoms can test according to CDC guidance. If an employee is not fully vaccinated and would like to voluntarily test, the employee can perform testing on a weekly basis.
- If possible, perform the test before entering the workplace. Select a location with sufficient privacy and ventilation.
- Diagnostic testing:
- PROVISION AND AVAILABILITY OF COVID-19 TEST KITS
The Office of Management (OM), Administrative Services Division (ASD) will make test kits available via the USDA Materiel Management Service Center (MMSC) in Beltsville, MD. Supervisors and program resource managers are to order test kits from MMSC and keep them in storage. - ORDERING COVID-19 TEST KITS FROM THE MMSC
- To maintain test kit availability for inspection program personnel, laboratory personnel, in-commerce personnel, and FSIS employees who would like to voluntarily test, supervisors or program resource managers are to consider ordering at least one test kit for each ten employees onsite (1:10 ratio).
- Supervisors or program resource managers may order additional test kits if employees choose to test more frequently.
- Supervisors or program resource managers may order test kits for employees who work at a different location from their supervisor or program resource manager.
- Supervisors or program resource managers are to store the test kits at the temperature range specified, as necessary. If supervisors have difficulty maintaining temperature of test kits at the worksite, they may reach out to their respective program resource managers for assistance.
- Supervisors or program resource managers are to use the unique Customer ID Number 37062264 when placing the order to facilitate the ordering, tracking, and shipping of test kits.
- Supervisors or program resource managers are to place COVID-19 test kit orders as a bulk order via the MMSC by emailing cfpdc@usda.gov or by calling 1-877-576-6329. Supervisors and program resource managers are to use their assigned Customer ID Number linked to their office or plant. This is the same Customer ID Number used when ordering supplies. When ordering, they are to provide their:
- Full name;
- Customer ID Number;
- E-mail address;
- Number of test kits required; and
- Work location address where the kits are to be shipped.
- The MMSC will ship test kits to the attention of the supervisor or program resource manager who made the request. In instances where supervisors or program resource managers have a different work location from the employee, the supervisor or program resource manager is to direct the test kits to be shipped to the work address of the employee(s). Employees who come into the office on an ad hoc basis should work with their program resource managers to make pick-up arrangements.
- Supervisors or program resource managers requiring expedited shipments of test kits via FedEx next day delivery are to specify that expedited shipment is required when placing the order.
- In the event test kits are not received in a timely manner, the requestor is to contact the MMSC staff immediately at 1-877-576-6329 for tracking purposes or reordering.
- REPORTING OF POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS
If an employee tests positive for COVID-19 by a self-test, he/she must immediately notify their supervisor or appropriate FSIS-designated supervisory point of contact, and the supervisor is expected to follow the USDA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan. Employees who test positive for COVID-19 may not physically report to a FSIS worksite until they complete CDC recommended isolation, even if they are asymptomatic, regardless of vaccination status, and regardless of whether they perform mission critical duties. - TRAVEL GUIDANCE FOR THOSE WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
- In accordance with the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force guidance and the USDA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan, FSIS employees should adhere strictly to CDC guidance for domestic and international travel before, during, and after official travel.
- Positive COVID-19 test result while on official travel (Temporary Duty):
- If an employee has a positive COVID-19 test while on official travel (i.e., travel conducted under an official travel authorization), then the employee should follow current Safer Federal Workforce Task Force guidance. FSIS will modify the travel authorization to cover applicable travel and lodging expenses to enable the employee to isolate.
- If an employee absolutely must undertake urgent, necessary, and mission-critical return travel during days 6-10 after the first day they experience symptoms, or after the date of a positive test for an asymptomatic individual, as determined by the immediate supervisor, exceptions must be requested in advance by Office of the Administrator (OA) through the Assistant Administrator for the employee’s respective Program Area. If the request is OA-approved, the employee is to take other precautions for the entire duration of their travel during the 10 days after their first day of symptoms, or after the date of a positive test for an asymptomatic individual, including wearing a well-fitting mask when around others and, to the extent possible, avoiding eating and drinking around others, avoiding environments such as dining facilities and gyms where they may be unmasked around others, avoiding people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and avoiding nursing homes and other high-risk settings.
- QUESTIONS
Refer questions to your supervisor. Supervisors or program resource managers with questions on ordering may contact the Office of Management, Administrative Services Division, Property Management Branch at propertymanagement@usda.gov. All other questions should be directed to the fsisfeedback@usda.gov mailbox.