[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@icann.org. 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@gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org