1. REQUEST # 67647
Dust Mite Protection for Mattresses and Bedding
RESPONSE DUE DATE: December 9, 2011
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
(click buttons above)
leading to scale-up to manufacturing, joint development, supplier
agreement, etc.
Timeline
Phase 1 – 12 months for proof of concept in a laboratory
Phase 2 – Commercial development to be determined
Financials
Phase 1 – Laboratory proof of concept funding up to
US$ 100,000
Phase 2 – To be negotiated
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND
NineSigma, representing a global Fortune 500 House dust mites are microscopic animals that
manufacturer, seeks proposals for the primarily live on dead skin cells regularly shed
development of technologies that mitigate, from humans and their animal pets. Dust mites
reduce, or prevent dust mites in mattresses and are generally harmless to most people. They
bedding. Solutions that are quickly don't carry diseases, but they can cause allergic
commercializable are of greatest interest. reactions in asthmatics and others who are
allergic to their feces.
Examples of novel approaches of interest would
include: Nearly 100,000 mites can live in one square yard
 Chemical treatments for fabrics and of carpet, and a typical mattress in hotels may
materials that discourage dust mite have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites
colonization inside. Dust mite allergies are quite common, as
their droppings are carried on small airborne dust
 Treatments (chemical, energetic, etc.) particles that are readily inhaled. No pesticides
that kill dust mites already present in are currently approved for house dust mites, and
bedding and mattresses treatment usually is accomplished by washing
 Barrier materials that prevent dust mites the bedding in hot water, by exposing the
from migrating from infected bedding mattress or pillow to direct sunlight, or tumbling
 Strategies to address humidity, food the bedding in a dryer at high temperature. In
the case of upholstery and carpeting, no simple
sources, or other conditions required for and effective solution exists.
dust mite survival
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com
RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

2. NineSigma Request #67647 Dust Mite Protection for Mattresses and Bedding Page 2
POSSIBLE APPROACHES OF INTEREST
I am a company or academic person with
Examples of applications of interest for technology which should provide a solution but
NineSigma’s client would include the following that requires further research and development
(note, your technology does not necessarily need to ready it for transfer to commercial use.
to address one of these specific examples):
RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST
 Alternative bedding materials and/or fiber
modification NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE
 Solutions directed at changing the By submitting a Response you represent that the
environment within mattresses and Response does not and will not be deemed to contain
any confidential information of any kind whatsoever.
bedding (e.g., humidity control)
 Novel barrier fabrics that would prevent Your Response should be an executive summary (about
3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the
dust mites from getting access to food technical approach and provide information on
sources technology performance, background, and description of
the responding team and their related experience.
 Biocides specific for dust mites (these
would be longer-term solutions but still of By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that
interest). 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
APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's
client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine
all award amounts.
The following approaches are not of interest:
 HEPA filtration RESPONSE EVALUATION
 Barrier films for mattresses NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the
 Solutions that cannot be implemented within following criteria:
24 months after contract award  Overall scientific and technical merit of the
proposed approach
ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN  Approach to proof of concept or performance
 Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the
technology novel or protectable)
Phase 1 – Proof of concept in our client’s  Economic potential of concept
laboratory  Respondent’s capabilities and related experience
Phase 2 – Commercial development to be  Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates
determined
The client will contact respondents with highly
responsive proposals for next steps.
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.
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com