Summary Sheet- RFCA SUMMARY

CITY OF TEMPE
Meeting Date: 3/5/2026  
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Item: 7B9
ACTION:  Award a two-year contract with three, one-year renewal options to Qiagen LLC, for the 
purchase of a specialized scientific instrument that supports the detection of pathogens in wastewater.
FISCAL IMPACT:  The total cost of the contract will not exceed $600,000. Sufficient funds have been 
appropriated in the Governmental Grants Fund 46, Cost Center 46666 (Water/Wastewater BioIntel 
Program ADHS) for the anticipated expenditures in the current fiscal year and future fiscal years, 
contingent upon City Council approval of the City’s annual budget.
RECOMMENDATION:  Award the contract.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  (WUD26-082) The City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to 
establish a contract for the purchase of a Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Workflow system 
that includes a fully automated nucleic acid extraction instrument and liquid handler. This equipment will 
be used to perform wastewater monitoring, which serves as an early detection system for disease 
outbreaks and can provide valuable information to support public health officials in responding to public 
health threats. This equipment is capable of identifying the following 13 pathogens:
Test Pathogens 
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68)
Influenza A (Flu)
Pan-Adenovirus (PanAdeno) -general non-
specific
Influenza B (Flu)
Hepatitis A (Hep A)
Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu)
Noro GI (Norovirus)
RSV A (Respiratory Syncytical 
Virus)
Noro GII (Norovirus)
RSV B (Respiratory Syncytical 
Virus)
West Nile Virus (WNV) *Seasonal*
Adenovirus (HAdV-41)
Evaluation Process
The RFP was published on December 24, 2025, to all registered firms for this commodity area. A total 
of 24 firms downloaded the solicitation from the City’s e-procurement portal resulting in the submission 
of a single proposal from Qiagen LLC. Staff anticipated a limited response due to the unique capabilities 
of the specified instrument. 
The response was reviewed and scored by a committee comprised of Water Utilities and Procurement 
staff in accordance with the evaluation criteria shown below.
 
Evaluation Criteria
Weight
1
Cost of Unit
25
2
Specifications, functionality, performance of units offered
30

2
3
Warranty 
15
4
Experience of offeror in successfully furnishing, installation, 
and service equipment
15
5
Method of approach in installation, training, service, lead 
time for the City
10
6
Acceptance of terms and conditions and overall quality of 
response
5
Results of Scoring
The following table displays the scores for Reliable Water Solutions: 
 
Award Criteria
Weig
ht
Points
1
Cost of Units
25
250
2
Specifications, functionality, performance of units offered
30
300
3
Warranty 
15
150
4
Experience of offeror in successfully furnishing, installation, 
and service equipment 
15
135
5
Method of approach in installation, training, service, lead 
time for the City
10
100
6
Acceptance of terms and conditions and overall quality of 
response
5
50
Total
985
Total Price
$499,58
2
The evaluation committee recommends the award of a two-year contract with three one-year renewal 
options to Qiagen LLC for the purchase of a Digital PCR Workflow system that includes a fully automated 
nucleic acid extraction instrument and liquid handler.
The cost noted above includes One QIAcuity Eight dPCR Instrument, One QIAgility Liquid Handler, Two 
QIAcube Connect MDx Nucleic Acid Extractors/Sample Processors, standard installation, five years of 
service and support, freight charges and a 5-year extended warranty. Staff is recommending that a 
contingency of $100,000 be included that will be used to pay for incidentals and consumables needed 
to operate the equipment. These items will be purchased through a discount (7%) from catalog that was 
negotiated as part of this award recommendation.  
ATTACHMENTS: Vendor Offer   
STAFF CONTACT(S): Wydale Holmes, Strategic & Innovation Director, (480) 350-5312
Department Director:  Laura Calder, Financial Services Director  
Legal review by:  Dave Park, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Prepared by:  Eric Kraenzle, Procurement Officer