Qiagen Wastewater Surveillance Testing Reagents and Service

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Laboratory Services Division, is procuring Qiagen wastewater surveillance testing reagents and service under a sole-source justification, with proposals due May 28, 2026. This is a renewal and expansion of an existing five-year service agreement running through December 14, 2028.

The scope covers two Qiagen QIAcuity digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) instruments, associated service, reagents, and supplies for operation, and a five-year service agreement renewal for an existing QIAcuity instrument at the Colorado State Public Health Laboratory. The sole-source justification rests on Qiagen's unique position as the only vendor offering equipment and protocols compliant with verified federal, state, and academic partner parameters; Qiagen does not distribute proprietary equipment, consumables, or reagents through third-party channels. Lab staff hold specialized certifications specific to Qiagen assays, and Qiagen is identified as the only vendor offering FDA-approved options meeting current laboratory needs and partnership requirements. The wastewater surveillance testing unit requires Qiagen's platform for consistent data comparison across federal, state, and academic partners.

The estimated total project cost is $3.14 million, representing a $1.5 million increase from the prior sole-source agreement valued at $1.64 million. The increase reflects expanded testing volume and reagent requirements, with current Quartzy system requests totaling $950,000. The contract term runs from December 15, 2023 through December 14, 2028. Place of performance is the Colorado State Public Health Laboratory in Denver.