To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Qiagen LLC
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute on behalf of the Sheriff-Coroner, a purchase order with Qiagen LLC, in an amount not to exceed $181,814, and ACCEPT a Terms and Conditions for validation services, preventative maintenance, extended warranty and repairs for the automated sample handling systems used in extraction and purification processes during DNA analysis in the Office of the Sheriff Forensic Services Division, for the period March 8, 2025 through May 4, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $181,814 in contractual service expenditures and will be funded 100% by the General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Qiagen LLC manufactures the EZ2 Connect FX, an automated sample handling system, and the MiSeq FGx Sequencing System. Both technologies are integral components in DNA analysis in the Office of the Sheriff Forensic Service Division’s crime laboratory. The Qiagen EZ2 Connect FX robotics provides the crime laboratory with the ability to use validated automated extraction techniques which ensure that accreditation requirements are maintained and access to the CODIS databank in compliance with FBI mandates. The MiSeq FGx allows the crime laboratory to provide genetic genealogy services which can assist with developing investigative leads in cold cases for the criminal justice system.
Qiagen LLC will provide certified field service engineers to perform preventative maintenance and repairs for the EZ2 Connect FX at the Office of the Sheriff. Qiagen LLC will also provide qualified application and support personnel to provide installation, training and validation services for the MiSeq FGx.
The department is seeking approval of this retroactive contract due to unintentional oversight caused by the substantial number of new contracts the Office of the Sheriff is currently handling.
The Terms and Conditions include a limitation of liability and indemnification from the County to Qiagen, LLC.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve, the Office of the Sheriff Forensic Service Division’s laboratory will be out of compliance with maintenance of equipment or the use of new equipment, which will result in the inability to provide timely DNA services to law enforcement agencies in Contra Costa County.