Seeking Commercially Available Zinc-Rich Materials

ABSTRACT

The Seeker, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of additives, wishes to identify sources and partners to supply commercially available zinc-rich materials.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge; the Solver will only need to submit a written proposal to be evaluated by the Seeker with the goal of establishing a collaborative partnership.

OVERVIEW

Zinc is a metallic element with many uses from metal alloys to nutritional supplements to chemical additives. It is the 24^th most common element in the Earth’s crust and the Seeker for this Challenge is interested in finding sources and potential partners to supply zinc-rich materials for use in oil based systems. The material may either be a metal organic, particulate or colloidal material, which is ideally readily soluble in oil or could, subject to simple chemical modification, be made to be soluble in oil. It must be at least 15% zinc by weight and should be readily available on at least a 100 ton per year scale.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge. The Solver will write a preliminary proposal (about 2-4 pages, including supporting non-confidential information and contact details) to be evaluated by the Seeker with a goal of establishing a collaborative partnership. Upon completion of the evaluation, the Seeker may contact selected Solvers directly to work out terms for a collaboration contract. The monetary value of the contract will vary depending on the amount of work to be delivered and the agreed upon time frame.

NOTE: Proposals from Solvers who have the ability to work directly as the collaboration partner or supplier will be considered first. The Seeker will also consider proposals from other Solvers who refer a suitable candidate as a collaboration partner. A “finder’s fee” of $2,000 USD will be paid to a Solver who can refer the Seeker to a candidate who, in the Seeker’s judgement, merits consideration as a potential collaboration partner and also provides the Seeker with sample(s) of their material for evaluation. See full description for details.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on 19-Jul-2021.
Late submissions will not be considered.

What is InnoCentive?

InnoCentive is the global innovation marketplace where creative minds solve some of the world's most important problems for cash awards up to $1 million. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with InnoCentive to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.

What is an eRFP Challenge?

An InnoCentive eRFP Challenge allows Seekers to submit Requests for Proposals for a partner or supplier to provide materials or expertise to solve a business challenge by leveraging the InnoCentive Solver network. This global community includes organizations and individuals, such as contract research organizations, scientists, university researchers, and technology companies.

After a Solver submits an eRFP response, the Seeker evaluates the responses to determine which Solver(s) to contact for further business discussions. With eRFPs, the Solver must not provide any confidential information in the eRFP response. If your eRFP response is selected, you negotiate the terms of the contract (including scope of work, tasks and duration) directly with the Seeker.

This Challenge type does not require Intellectual Property (IP) transfer. However, sometimes Seekers request that certain IP arrangements be made should a partnership be formed.