ICANN appears to be capable of multi-tasking, as its staff have begun searching for a company to develop an application system, before the board of directors has formally approved the next round of applications.



The organization has released an RFI (pdf) seeking developers for a "gTLD Application Lifecycle System" that will be used by ICANN, applicants and third-party contractors to manage bids from application to delegation.

The deadline for responses is February 24, with an invitation-only RFP scheduled for April.

This ambitious timetable could please those who have been urging ICANN to accelerate its progress after the lengthy and disappointing ODA, and it indicates that the board may be leaning in a certain direction.

Regardless of the approval status, ICANN has initiated the process, which could also allay concerns about its inability to function except in a sequential manner.

Overall, ICANN's proactive actions suggest that it is keen to move forward with the next round of applications, and this should be welcomed by those in the domain industry who are eager for new gTLDs.

This system plays a crucial role in managing the application process for generic top-level domains (gTLDs), which are an essential part of the internet's infrastructure.

ICANN, as the governing body for domain names and IP addresses, is responsible for overseeing the domain name system. The gTLD Application Lifecycle System is a key tool used by ICANN to manage and streamline the application process for new gTLDs. By seeking bids for this system, ICANN is looking to enhance the efficiency, security, and transparency of the gTLD application process.

In the context of marketing, this move by ICANN signals the organization's commitment to ensuring a robust and reliable system for managing gTLD applications. It also presents an opportunity for technology vendors and developers to showcase their expertise in providing innovative solutions for managing gTLD applications.
This proactive step by ICANN underscores the importance of a well-functioning gTLD Application Lifecycle System in maintaining the integrity and stability of the domain name system, and it opens up avenues for collaboration and innovation within the technology and internet governance sectors.