The present invention is generally related to products and methods that facilitate the use of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus TC-83 (TC-83) as a non-hazardous simulant, or surrogate, for viable pathogenic viruses. Specifically, TC-83 nucleic sequences are used in a method of detecting VEE or TC-83 in a sample thought to contain a biological threat agent. TC-83 and its nucleic acid sequence may therefore be used in the research, development, testing, evaluation, and training for technologies that enable the detection of biological threat agents. More particularly, specific primers and probes may be used to verify that instruments and systems using PCR detection methods are functioning properly.