LOS ANGELES - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) organization (org) announced that it has entered into an agreement with RSM US LLP to be the Support Applicant Review Panel (SARP) provider for the Applicant Support Program (ASP). The SARP is responsible for assembling the required panelist expertise and for managing the second phase of the ASP evaluation process in a fair, objective, and consistent manner, while taking into account that the ASP is a global program, a press release stated by ICANN. 

ICANN org selected RSM through a competitive Request for Proposal initiated in February 2024, in accordance with ICANN org's procurement best practices. These practices ensure that services are sourced with the correct specifications, at the appropriate level of quality, and for the appropriate value.

"ICANN conducted a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of the bidders that submitted proposals, recognizing the importance of the Next Round's Applicant Support Program as a major lever for fostering diversity, encouraging competition, and enhancing the utility of the Domain Name System," said ASP Program Lead, Kristy Buckley. "At the end of ICANN's assessment, RSM presented the best choice for undertaking this critically important work given their past experience, global network, and collaborative nature."

RSM has an international network of professionals to draw upon for this work, as well as extensive knowledge and experience with ICANN through the issuance of Security Operations Center attestation reports to the public Internet community in an independent manner. RSM's team is equipped with the appropriate evaluation skills and diverse experience to conduct fair and objective assessments of globally diverse ASP applicants. In addition, RSM carries deep and relevant experience working within the public sector and nonprofit community, reviewing applicants for grants and government funding in a manner congruent with ICANN's commitment to consistency and objectivity.

Background

ICANN developed the ASP as part of its New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program. The ASP is a global program that is intended to provide financial and non-financial assistance to eligible entities that demonstrate need and wish to apply for and operate a gTLD in the Domain Name System (DNS).

As part of the New gTLD Program: Next Round, the ASP is designed to align with Affirmation 1.3 of the Final Report on the New gTLD Subsequent Procedures Policy Development Process: "The Working Group affirms that the primary purposes of new gTLDs are to foster diversity, encourage competition, and enhance the utility of the DNS."