Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

REQUEST # 67668

Detection Mechanisms to Signal Bacterial Contamination in Cleaning Implements

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION

NineSigma, representing a global Fortune 500 manufacturer, seeks proposals for the development of technologies that would provide users, specifically household consumers, with a means to quickly and accurately tell when cleaning implements such as sponges, scrub pads, or cloths require replacement. Of particular interest are partners with technology solutions that are ready to commercialize or could be readied for commercialization within 1-2 years. The focus of this Request is specifically on solutions that are extremely low-cost. Examples of novel approaches of interest would include but are not limited to:

Chemical treatments for materials that

change color to indicate bacterial

contamination or end-of-functional-life

Embedded chemical/visual sensors that

signal contamination (preferably visually

and without electronic components)

BACKGROUND

Current household cleaning implements (sponges, scrubbers, cloths) are typically low tech, low cost products that provide no feedback on remaining useful life or current condition. In general, the current products are inert, and unresponsive to changes in their environment or level of bacterial contamination. This leaves the user with no feedback on the products or their safety. While simple incorporation of colorants into products can show users a time-based indication of when to change products, these are not actually correlated to extent of contamination or cleanliness. Recognizing this, consumers typically ignore these indicators since they are not related to what is potentially harmful.

RESPONSE DUE DATE: December 9, 2011

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MANAGER: Jack Lienesch

SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK

EMAIL: PhD@ninesigma.com PHONE: +1-216-283-3901

Opportunity

Licensing, product acquisition, contract research, proof of concept leading to scale-up to manufacturing, joint development, supplier agreement, etc. Timeline

Phase 1 – Rapid evaluation on commercially advanced solutions (preferred) or development of proof of concept Phase 2 – Additional commercial development to be determined Financials

Phase 1 – Laboratory proof of concept funding up to US$ 100,000 Phase 2 – To be negotiated

NineSigma Request #67668 Detection Mechanisms to Signal Bacterial Contamination in Cleaning Implements Page 2

Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com

What is lacking is a low cost method for imparting a sensor into cleaning implements that can alert the user to potential contamination, specifically bacterial contamination. POSSIBLE APPROACHES

Examples of applications of interest for NineSigma’s client would include the following (note, your technology does not necessarily need to address one of these specific examples):

Technology solutions that target reducing

potential transmission of pathogens

Indicators that provide process-control

information on the fidelity of the cleaning

implements’ ability to maintain a low

transmission potential

APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST

Solutions requiring sophisticated

hardware, electronics, or bulky equipment

External sterilization techniques or

processes

Indicator technologies based on time of

use, rather than presence or level of

bacterial contamination

ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN

Phase 1 – Proof of concept or evaluation of advanced solutions in our client’s laboratory Phase 2 – Commercial development to be determined CRITERIA FOR MOVING FROM PHASE 1 TO PHASE 2

Demonstrate in our client’s laboratory that the proposed approach meets all the requirements APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO THIS REQUEST

Responses from companies (small to large), academic researchers, other research institutes, consultants, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, or inventors are welcome.

I am a company or academic person with technology which should provide a solution ready for testing and transfer to commercial use. I am a company or academic person with technology which should provide a solution but that requires further research and development to ready it for transfer to commercial use.

RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST

NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE

By submitting a Response you represent that the Response does not and will not be deemed to contain any confidential information of any kind whatsoever. Your Response should be an executive summary (about 3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the technical approach and provide information on technology performance, background, and description of the responding team and their related experience. By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of the Responses received for this announcement. NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine all award amounts.

RESPONSE EVALUATION

NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the

following criteria:

Overall scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach

Approach to proof of concept or performance

Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the technology novel or protectable)

Economic potential of concept

Respondent’s capabilities and related experience

Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates

The client will contact respondents with highly responsive proposals for next steps.