The U.S. government has formally begun the process of opening competitive bidding for the operation of the .us country-code top-level domain, a move that could reshape the management of one of the internet’s most strategically important national namespaces.
The initiative is being led by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which oversees the .us domain on behalf of the federal government. The decision signals a shift toward increased competition and oversight as the current contract approaches its later stages.
Current Operator and Contract Timeline
The .us registry is currently operated by GoDaddy Registry, following GoDaddy’s acquisition of Neustar’s registry business in 2020. While the existing contract was extended earlier this year and runs through August 2027, NTIA has now taken formal steps to ensure that the next phase of stewardship is determined through an open and transparent selection process.
Rather than waiting until the final year of the agreement, the agency is beginning preparations well in advance — a move that allows for a smooth transition should a new operator be selected.
Draft RFP Signals Start of Formal Competition
NTIA has released a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) outlining the requirements, expectations, and evaluation criteria for prospective registry operators. Interested parties have until January 8, 2026, to submit questions and feedback on the draft, after which the final RFP will be issued.
The competitive process will unfold in two structured phases:
- Phase One: Initial proposals due in February 2026, after which NTIA will shortlist qualified bidders
- Phase Two: Final proposals submitted in March 2026, with a winning bidder expected to be announced in April 2026
This phased approach allows NTIA to assess both technical competence and long-term strategic alignment before making a final decision.
What’s at Stake: A Major National Digital Asset
The .us namespace currently contains approximately 2.5 million registered domain names, making it one of the largest and most visible country-code domains globally. Unlike traditional government contracts, the registry operator does not receive direct federal payments. Instead, revenue is generated through wholesale fees charged to accredited registrars.
The upcoming contract includes:
- A three-year base term
- Up to four optional one-year extensions
- A potential seven-year maximum duration
This structure balances stability with accountability, allowing the government to reassess performance over time.
Strict Eligibility Requirements Limit the Field
To ensure continuity, security, and operational reliability, NTIA has set high eligibility thresholds. Applicants must:
- Be a U.S.-based company
- Have at least five years of experience operating a top-level domain
- Demonstrate prior management of a registry with 2 million or more active domains
These requirements significantly narrow the pool of potential bidders, effectively limiting participation to established registry operators with proven infrastructure and governance capabilities.
Pricing Transparency and Registrar Relations
Bidders will be required to clearly disclose:
- Wholesale pricing models
- Any proposed rebate programs for registrars
- Long-term plans for maintaining affordability and stability
While pricing will factor into the evaluation, NTIA has emphasized that cost alone will not determine the winner. Technical reliability, security practices, policy compliance, and operational independence will also play major roles.
Separation of Registry and Registrar Functions
One notable requirement in the draft RFP is a firm separation between registry and registrar operations. The selected operator will be prohibited from acting as a .us registrar, a rule designed to prevent conflicts of interest and promote fair competition.
Although GoDaddy currently offers .us registrations through its registrar business, NTIA treats its registry and registrar divisions as legally separate entities — a distinction that will be closely reviewed under the new contract.
Why This Matters
Control of the .us registry carries implications beyond commercial operations. As the official U.S. country-code domain, .us plays a role in national identity, cybersecurity, trust, and internet governance. The upcoming transition presents an opportunity to modernize infrastructure, reinforce policy compliance, and potentially expand the namespace’s relevance in an increasingly competitive domain market.
By opening the process well ahead of the current contract’s expiration, NTIA is signaling its intent to prioritize transparency, competition, and long-term stability in the stewardship of a critical piece of internet infrastructure.
