Qiagen EZ2 reagents and consumables

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Division of Colorado State Public Health Laboratory, is sole-sourcing a contract modification to QIAGEN LLC for two QIAGEN EZ2 Connect automated extraction systems plus reagents and consumables, with a due date of November 2, 2026.

The systems support the Genomic Surveillance Program's operations. The justification rests on QIAGEN's exclusive ability to meet compatibility with existing internal and external protocols, FDA approval for clinical diagnostic use, adherence to PulseNet standards established under the CDC's FoodCORE Program, and physical space constraints within the laboratory facility. The source identifies the EZ2 Connect as the only fully automated, sealed reagent strip extraction instrument capable of processing multiple sample matrices, including raw stool samples required for clinical and public health testing.

The modification increases the contract from $350,000 to $875,000, an increase of $525,000 over the life of the project. The increase reflects actual spending of $175,000 annually from 2024 through 2026, extended across the remaining three years to cover increased outbreak testing demands during the 2026 summer season and ongoing regional outbreak testing requests. The modification term runs April 15, 2024 through April 14, 2029. The program's cost analysis determined pricing to be fair and reasonable based on the lack of comparable alternatives in the marketplace. Denver County and Denver City are listed as jurisdictions.