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ICANN - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
ICANN - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
12/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/12/2025 11:02
ICANN Issues Deadline Extension for String Similarity and Variant String Evaluator Panels RFP for 2026 New gTLD Program
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has extended its deadline for respondents to its request for proposal (RFP) for a qualified provider or providers to perform evaluations of String Similarity, Variant Strings, or both, as part of the 2026 Round of the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program, due to launch in April 2026. The new deadline is Wednesday 18 February, 23:59 UTC.
This RFP covers two distinct evaluation areas within ICANN's New gTLD Program: (1) String Similarity, and (2) Variant Strings. These areas are essential to ensuring the trust, security, and usability of the Internet's Domain Name System for end-users.
The selected provider(s) will assemble a panel or panels of experts to perform these evaluations. The purpose of this RFP is to evaluate prospective providers regarding their methodologies and expertise, while adhering to ICANN's policies and guidelines. The selected provider(s) will also be required to collaborate with ICANN on the development of evaluation guides for the work conducted by the panels, ensuring that the evaluation processes are transparent, consistent, and repeatable across all gTLD applications.
Providers are not required to offer both services in order to respond to this RFP. Responses will be considered based on the respondent's interest and ability to provide:
- A panel for the evaluations of String Similarity only.
- A panel for the evaluations of Variant Strings only.
- Both panels, one for the evaluation of String Similarity and one panel for the evaluation of Variant Strings.
Combining both evaluation areas into a single RFP allows ICANN to better coordinate evaluation timelines and vendor planning for tasks that may require related expertise.
This is a public RFP, meaning that any prospective vendor may participate.
For a complete overview of this RFP, including the timeline, please consult this webpage.
Indications of interest should be emailed to [email protected]and provide the following information:
- Name of the organization.
- Name of the contact.
- Email address of the contact.
Official responses to the RFP should be electronically submitted using ICANN's sourcing tool by 23:59 UTC on 18 February 2026. Access to this tool may be requested via the same email address.
About ICANN
ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address - a name or a number - into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.
ICANN - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers published this content on December 12, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 12, 2025 at 17:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]