Twist Bioscience Reagents

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is proceeding with a sole source procurement from Twist Biosciences for synthetic DNA and RNA viral assay controls and custom Hybridization Capture (Hyb) panels under solicitation NPSS1-FHCA-2026000209-1. This action is justified due to the unique, proprietary semiconductor-based gene synthesis technology offered exclusively by Twist Biosciences, which enables the production of assay-ready, sequence-verified, and lot-traceable synthetic controls critical for quantitative RT-PCR, digital PCR, and next-generation sequencing workflows. These products eliminate the need for biosafety-level 3 infrastructure, directly supporting CDPHE’s genomic surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and diagnostic validation efforts. The contract spans a four-year period from May 15, 2026, to May 14, 2030, with an estimated total value of $2.3 million, including $350,000 annually for routine testing and a one-time special project costing $891,380. The pricing is evaluated as fair and reasonable through comparisons to market and historical rates, despite the absence of competition, and the award is based on technical superiority rather than lowest cost. All deliverables are expected to be received at CDPHE’s facility in Denver, Colorado, where government personnel will conduct inspection and acceptance, ensuring compliance with internal quality standards requiring high-fidelity synthesis, reproducible performance, and compatibility with existing molecular diagnostics infrastructure. The procurement is classified as a Firm Fixed Price arrangement with no option periods, key personnel requirements, or security clearances specified. While no formal FAR clauses or MIL-STD packaging standards are referenced, the vendor must provide documentation confirming price reasonableness, market comparability, historical pricing, and cost analysis per state procurement protocols. The sole source justification is supported by the lack of commercial alternatives, proprietary technology exclusivity, and the critical need for rapid delivery of custom synthetic constructs. No socioeconomic set-asides or small business certifications apply, and submission of objections must be made via email to Kristi Gamble by May 22, 2026, with the required subject line header. The contracting officer and program contacts are identified, but formal invoicing procedures, remittance details, and payment office information are not provided in the documentation.