[council] Safe, Stable and Secure New gTLDs: ICANN Seeks Global Background Screening Services Provider

[Glen de Saint Géry <Glen@xxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-30aug11-en.htm

Safe, Stable and Secure New gTLDs:
ICANN Seeks Global Background Screening Services Provider

30 August 2011

ICANN is issuing today a Request for Proposal 
(RFP)<http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/background-screening-rfp-30aug11-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 104 KB] to identify a Global Background Screening Service Provider 
capable of generating a thorough and timely background check for all new 
generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) Applicants.

After extensive discussion, debates, and deliberations over the past several 
years with the business groups, trademark owners, governments, and the Internet 
community at-large, ICANN's Board of Directors have approved the plan to allow 
entities to apply for new top-level domains through the new gTLD program.  The 
number of generic top-level domains, (there are 22 in existence today and 
include familiar names such as .com, .net, and .org), are expected to 
dramatically expand over the next several years.

Based on extensive community feedback regarding a safe and stable new gTLD 
launch, ICANN has committed to conducting an extensive background screening of 
each applicant. The new gTLD program is designed with multiple stakeholder 
protection mechanisms.  Background screening, features of the gTLD Registry 
Agreement, easy access to zone file data, and data and financial escrow 
mechanisms are all intended to provide registrant and user protections.  The 
scope of the background screening is expected to cover, at a minimum, the 
entity applying, key directors, officers, partners, and major shareholders of 
that entity.

The new gTLD program is expected start accepting applications in January 2012, 
and receive a diverse set of applications from all over the world.  Ensuring 
that applicants have the intention to operate the new gTLDs in the public 
interest and in compliance with the program requirements is of utmost concern.  
Conducting a thorough and timely background check on each applicant is an 
important component of the ICANN's application approval process.

Respondents are requested to respond to this RFP by replying to: 
BackgroundScreeningRFP@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:BackgroundScreeningRFP@xxxxxxxxx>. The 
period to submit questions about the RFP will close on 13 September 2011. ICANN 
will provide answers to all questions submitted to all respondents by 22 
September 2011. The final response to the RFP is due on 4 October 2011.







Glen de Saint Géry

GNSO Secretariat

gnso.secretariat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

http://gnso.icann.org