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High or Medium Throughput Biodegradation Determination Development Challenge

The ACS GCI Pharmaceutical Roundtable is looking for a collaborative partner to establish a reliable, predictive, and scalable assay/workflow with a relatively fast turnaround time that allows for comparisons amongst different chemical classes and supports a structure- and/or molecular property-based understanding of biodegradability during drug discovery. 

The selected partner will work closely with scientists on the Biodegradation focus team and receive funding (up to $130,000) to deliver the report within an 18-month period. 

Call for Proposals Process

  • All Questions Should be Submitted by July 6th: We invited interested partners to review the call for proposals document. Please email questions to gcipr@acs.org with the subject line: Biodegradation Determination Development Challenge Inquiry. We will answer questions publicly on this page. 
  • Proposal deadline: July 24th. Final proposals should be submitted to this portal by July 24th, 2026. 
  • Proposal Review: Proposals will be reviewed and responded to by December 1st.

Proposal Requirements

  • Describe the proposed solution
  • Describe the capabilities of the development team
  • Detail any relevant work examples in this area with references
  • Provide a proposed timeline
  • Provide a one-page budget
  • Commit to bimonthly meetings with the team
  • Proposal should not exceed 5-pages including references

Learn more about the challenge

Read and review the files in the three blue boxes below to understand the scope of the proposed project.

Review RFP

Step 1

Thoroughly review the RFP to ensure you adhere to submission requirements

RFP Link

Review Resources

Step 2

Familiarize yourself with the Waste Water Treatment Directive (WWTD) by reviewing Articles 9 and 10 for a better understanding of existing regulatory frameworks impacting this project.

Link 1: WWTD

Apply Here

Step 3

Ensure that you have reviewed all information prior to applying. 

Apply

Questions by Category

Email questions to gcipr@acs.org with the subject line: Biodegradation Determination Challenge Inquiry.

Legal & IP

1. What is the legal structure for the engagement (contractor, joint venture, or licensing agreement)?

  • Contractor with ACS.

    2. Can the development team include international members or subcontractors, or must all work be performed within specific geographic regions?

    • No restrictions.

      3. Can the vendor reference this project in their portfolio and marketing materials?

      • To be determined during contracting.

      4. Will the vendor have ownership rights to the assay developed as a result of this project?

      • All materials produced or developed during this project become the property of ACS. The vendor will not use, disseminate, publish or permit to be published, in any form, any material written, produced or collaborated on by the Contractor, except with the Society’s prior written permission and consent.

      5. What kind of general liability insurance is the vendor required to have?

      • The Contractor shall maintain policies of insurance during the term of this project, at its own expense, having at a minimum, Commercial General Liability insurance of up to $1,000,000.00 per incident and in the aggregate, $2,000,000.00. The Contractor agrees to name ACS as an additional insured under their Commercial General Liability policy.
      Application Requirements

      1. Can the development team include international members or subcontractors, or must all work be performed within specific geographic regions?

      • No restrictions.