I fully support this notion. We should just act on this now

From: Justine Chew via ALAC <alac@icann.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 6:17 AM
To: ALAC <alac@atlarge-lists.icann.org>
Subject: [ALAC] Petition for ALAC Advice on String Change/Replacement Mechanism for ASP Applicants

I am petitioning the ALAC to urgently produce advice to the ICANN Board to support the intent of Edmon Chung's proposal to help ASP applicants have an appropriate way out of a contention set should they get caught in one, and not be pushed towards an ICANN Auction which they will more than likely not win given the cap to the Bid Credit.

We have pushed as hard as we can in the SubPro IRT but apart from pushback from ICANN org IRT support staff (too late, additional costs, complications to alter system development), several IRT members are constrained to support it as the IRT isn't supposed to make "policy" changes. Other members of the IRT are opposed to any changes whatsoever. So the only way through is to appeal to the Board.

It would be better if we can secure (another) collaboration with the GAC, but we should move in parallel and just submit ALAC Advice if we cannot get GAC on board quickly.

If there is support for this, I would ask that Edmon Chung be involved in helping to set out a suitable description of changes that could be accommodated without too much difficulty to ICANN org.

Kind regards,
Justine