[ga] New gTLD Program: Update on Independent Evaluators Search

[Glen de Saint Géry <Glen@xxxxxxxxx>]

[To: ga[at]gnso.icann.org; announce[at]gnso.icann.org
[To: liaison6c[at]gnso.icann.org; council[at]gnso.icann.org]
[To: regional-liaisons[at]icann.org]

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-31jul09-en.htm
New gTLD Program: Update on Independent Evaluators Search

31 July 2009

ICANN is reopening the Expressions of Interest (EOI) period for independent 
evaluators to perform key roles in reviewing applications for new generic 
top-level domains, scheduled to launch in 2010. The new Expressions of Interest 
period opens on 31 July, 2009 and closes on 15 September, 2009 at 23:59 UTC. 

The evaluation areas needed are: 

Applicant Evaluation Teams (Technical and Financial Evaluation) 
Geographic Name Evaluation 
String Similarity Examiners 
Community Priority Evaluation Panel -- formerly the Comparative Evaluation 
Panel 
Below are the links for the extension of the posted Expression of Interest 
which contain the criteria for each panel: 
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-02apr09-en.htm 

ICANN is pleased to report that during the initial open search period (25 
February, 2009 to 11 June, 2009) it received expressions of interest from nine, 
well-qualified candidates interested in serving as independent evaluators. 
ICANN would like to acknowledge and thank those respondents listed below. ICANN 
continues to engage in further discussions with the current candidates and will 
shortly hold an "EOI responders conference" limited to the firms that responded 
by the original due date of June 11, 2009. The outcome of this conference will 
be shared with the public and used to better inform potential new candidates. 
The existing candidates will also be able to update their proposals based on 
this interaction. 

The decision to reopen the search period has been made to accommodate the 
internal requirement to build a robust and scalable operations process with 
primary and secondary service providers as well as to eliminate the appearance 
of conflict in the evaluation process. 

The Independent Evaluators are expected to be identified by ICANN in Q4, 2009. 

Responding Organizations 

Deloitte + Laga - Belgium 

Fulcrum Inquiry - USA 

GeoLang Ltd - United Kingdom 

InterConnect Communications - United Kingdom 

JAS Communications LLC - USA 

KPMG LLP - USA 

Novak Druce + Quigg LLP - USA 

TAEUS International Corporation - USA 

Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organization - Information Technology International (TAGITI) 
- Jordan 

For further questions regarding this process please email: eval-eoi@xxxxxxxxx.

Related Resources: 

New gTLD Program: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm 

Previous call for expressions of interest open submissions period: 
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-02apr09-en.htm and 
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-25feb09-en.htm 

Requirements for the different evaluation roles: (Please note; new Costs 
Template Exhibit A, attached to rear of original EOI) 

Evaluation Teams (Technical and Financial Evaluation): 
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-app-eval-31jul09-en.pdf [PDF, 
172K] 

Geographic Name Evaluation: 
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-geo-names-31jul09-en.pdf [PDF, 
184K] 

String Similarity Examiners: 
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-string-sim-31jul09-en.pdf [PDF, 
176K] 

Comparative Evaluation Panel: 
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-commun-priority-31jul09-en.pdf 
[PDF, 176K]

Glen de Saint Géry
GNSO Secretariat
gnso.secretariat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://gnso.icann.org