Table of Contents

Transmittal Letter/Forms...................................................................................................................... Tab
Acronyms/ Clarification of Terms.......................................................................................................... Tab
Compliance Matrix ............................................................................................................................... Tab
Solution Summary ............................................................................................................................... Tab

A. usTLD Team.. A-1

B. Contractor Requirements............................................................................................................. B.1
B.1 Statement of Purpose .............................................................................................. B.1-1
B.2 Core Registry Functions........................................................................................... B.2-1
B.2.1 Primary usTLD Server ............................................................................................. B.2-3
B.2.1.1 NeuStar's Multiple Primary Nameservers................................................................. B.2-4
B.2.1.2 General Description of Proposed Facilities and Systems.......................................... B.2-4
B.2.1.3 Description of System Functions .............................................................................. B.2-8
B.2.2 Secondary usTLD Servers......................................................................................B.2-11
B.2.3 usTLD Zone Files ...................................................................................................B.2-12
B.2.3.1 Current Zone File Generation--Problems and Solution ...........................................B.2-12
B.2.3.2 Secure Access to Update Zone File Data................................................................B.2-13
B.2.3.3 Frequency of Zone File Generation.........................................................................B.2-14
B.2.3.4 Zone File Generation Architecture...........................................................................B.2-14
B.2.3.5 Zone File Distribution and Publication .....................................................................B.2-15
B.2.3.6 Locations and Architecture......................................................................................B.2-15
B.2.3.7 Frequency of Zone File Publication/Update.............................................................B.2-16
B.2.4 Whois Database .....................................................................................................B.2-19
B.2.5 usTLD Delegated Manager Database Administration ..............................................B.2-20
B.2.6 Data Escrow ...........................................................................................................B.2-21
B.2.7 Industry Representation/Compliance.......................................................................B.2-22
B.2.8 usTLD Public Awareness Initiatives.........................................................................B.2-22
B.2.8.1 Executive Summary................................................................................................B.2-23
B.2.8.2 Background ............................................................................................................B.2-24
B.2.8.3 Strategic Goal.........................................................................................................B.2-25
B.2.8.4 Customer Base.......................................................................................................B.2-25
B.2.8.5 Marketing Objectives ..............................................................................................B.2-29
B.2.8.6 Market Definition.....................................................................................................B.2-29
B.2.8.7 Market Opportunity .................................................................................................B.2-34
B.2.8.8 Value Proposition....................................................................................................B.2-35
B.2.8.9 Channel..................................................................................................................B.2-37
B.2.8.10 Marketing Plan........................................................................................................B.2-38
B.2.9 Integration Assistance.............................................................................................B.2-44
B.2.10 Compliance Monitoring ...........................................................................................B.2-44
B.2.11 Web Site.................................................................................................................B.2-45
B.2.12 Documentation and Training ...................................................................................B.2-47
B.2.13 Customer Relationship Management ......................................................................B.2-49
B.2.14 Reporting................................................................................................................B.2-50
B.2.15 Progress and Quarterly Reporting...........................................................................B.2-50
B.2.16 Help Desk...............................................................................................................B.2-51
B.3 Core Policy Requirements ....................................................................................... B.3-1
B.3.1 US Nexus Requirement Implementation................................................................... B.3-3
B.3.2 Open ccTLD Policies Adoption................................................................................. B.3-6
B.3.3 usTLD Dispute Policies and Sunrise Policy/Implementation ..................................... B.3-6
B.3.3.1 usTLD Dispute Resolution Policy ............................................................................. B.3-7
B.3.3.2 Sunrise Policy and Implementation .......................................................................... B.3-8
B.3.4 GAC Principles .......................................................................................................B.3-12
B.3.5 Additional, Alternative, or Supplemental Policies .....................................................B.3-13
B.4 Locality-Based usTLD Structure Functions............................................................... B.4-1
B.4.1 Existing Delegees and Registrants Service Provision............................................... B.4-2
B.4.1.1 Needs of Existing Users........................................................................................... B.4-3
B.4.1.2 Implementing Services for Delegees........................................................................ B.4-3
B.4.1.3 Providing Support for Registrants............................................................................. B.4-4
B.4.2 Undelegated Third Level SuB.domains Service Provision......................................... B.4-4
B.4.2.1 Additional Needs of Undelegated Domains .............................................................. B.4-5
B.4.2.2 Implementing Registrar Services.............................................................................. B.4-6
B.4.2.3 Providing Registry Services ..................................................................................... B.4-7
B.4.3 Locality-Based Process Modernization..................................................................... B.4-7
B.4.4 Current Locality-Based usTLD Users Coordination................................................... B.4-8
B.4.5 Compliance with Current Locality-Based usTLD Polices
Investigation and Report .......................................................................................... B.4-9
B.4.6 usTLD Delegated Manager Database Development ...............................................B.4-13
B.4.7 Whois Database Development................................................................................B.4-14
B.5 Expanded usTLD Space Functions .......................................................................... B.5-1
B.5.1 usTLD Shared Registration System ......................................................................... B.5-2
B.5.2 Accreditation Process for usTLD Registrars ............................................................. B.5-4
B.5.3 Technical Certification of usTLD Registrars.............................................................. B.5-6
B.5.4 Whois Database Development................................................................................. B.5-9
B.5.5 Community Outreach Plan ......................................................................................B.5-11

C. NeuStar's Vision of the usTLD..................................................................................................... C-1

D. Enhancing the Utility of the usTLD.............................................................................................. D-1

E. Current State of the usTLD Domain Space.................................................................................. E-1

F. Centralized usTLD Database and Enhanced Shared Registration System.................................F-1
F.1 Enhanced Shared Registration System ........................................................................F-3
F.2 Centralized usTLD Database .......................................................................................F-5

G. Draft Delegated Managers/Administrator Contract ..................................................................... G-1

H. Draft Registrar/Registry Contract ................................................................................................ H-1

I. Start-up Phase Policies ..................................................................................................................I-1

J. Registration Process ..................................................................................................................... J-1

K. Outreach to Current Locality-based usTLD Users ..................................................................... K-1

L. Funding for the usTLD ..................................................................................................................L-1

M. Description of Cost Elements ...................................................................................................... M-1

N. Pro Forma Projections.................................................................................................................. N-1

O. Proposed Technical Plan.............................................................................................................. O-1
Part 1:
O.1 Proposed Technical Facilities and Systems................................................................. O-2
O.1.1 Registry Facilities Site Description .............................................................................. O-2
O.1.1.1 Enhanced Shared Registration System (SRS) Data Center Functional Description...... O-2
O.1.1.2 Nameserver Sites Functional Description.................................................................... O-6
O.1.1.3 Enhanced SRS Data Center and Nameserver Buildings.............................................. O-8
O.1.2 Enhanced Shared Registration System Descriptions................................................... O-9
O.1.2.1 Enhanced SRS Data Center System Descriptions..................................................... O-10
O.1.2.2 Nameserver Description............................................................................................ O-15
O.1.3 Registry Network System Description ....................................................................... O-17
O.1.3.1 Internet Connectivity ................................................................................................. O-17
O.1.3.2 VPN Registry Management Network ......................................................................... O-17
O.1.4 Registry System Application Software....................................................................... O-17
O.1.4.1 Application Components ........................................................................................... O-18
O.1.4.2 Registry Software Development Methodology ........................................................... O-23
O.2 Registry-Registrar Model and XRP Protocol .............................................................. O-25
O.3 NeuStar's Database Capabilities............................................................................... O-25
O.3.1 Functional Overview ................................................................................................. O-27
O.3.2 Database System Description ................................................................................... O-31
O.3.3 Database Security and Access Privileges ................................................................. O-36
O.4 Zone File Generation ................................................................................................ O-37
O.4.1 Secure Access to Update Zone File Data.................................................................. O-37
O.4.2 Zone File Generation Architecture............................................................................. O-38
O.5 Zone File Distribution and Publication ....................................................................... O-39
O.5.1 Locations of Data Centers Housing Zone File Nameservers...................................... O-39
O.5.2 Zone File Publication/Update Architecture................................................................. O-40
O.6 Billing and Collection System .................................................................................... O-43
O.6.1 Technical Capabilities and Characteristics ................................................................ O-44
O.6.2 Security .................................................................................................................... O-49
O.6.3 Access Privileges...................................................................................................... O-50
O.6.4 Backup and Recovery............................................................................................... O-52
O.6.5 Billing and Collection Audits...................................................................................... O-52
Part 2:
O.7 Data Escrow and Backup.......................................................................................... O-53
O.7.1 Frequency and Procedures for Backup of Data ......................................................... O-53
O.7.2 Backup Hardware and Software Systems.................................................................. O-54
O.7.3 Procedures for Retrieval of Data and Rebuild of the Database .................................. O-54
O.8 Whois Databases for Both Registrars and Delegated Managers................................ O-55
O.8.1 Whois Service Functional Description ...................................................................... O-56
O.8.2 Whois System Architecture ....................................................................................... O-58
O.8.3 Network Speed and Proposed Service Levels........................................................... O-61
O.9 System Security........................................................................................................ O-61
O.9.1 System Security........................................................................................................ O-62
O.9.1.1 Enhanced Shared Registration System Data Center Security.................................... O-62
O.9.1.2 Nameserver Data Center Security............................................................................. O-65
O.9.2 Physical Security ...................................................................................................... O-66
O.10 Peak Capacities........................................................................................................ O-67
O.10.1 Enhanced SRS Peak Capacity.................................................................................. O-68
O.10.2 Whois Peak Capacity................................................................................................ O-69
O.10.3 DNS Query Peak Capacity........................................................................................ O-69
O.11 System Reliability ..................................................................................................... O-70
O.11.1 Quality of Service and Performance Measurements.................................................. O-71
O.12 System Outage Prevention ....................................................................................... O-72
O.13 System Recovery Procedures................................................................................... O-77
O.13.1 Restoring Enhanced SRS Operations in the Event of a System Outage .................... O-78
O.13.2 Redundant/Diverse Systems for Providing Service in the Event of an Outage ........... O-80
O.13.3 Process for Recovery From Various Types of Failures .............................................. O-80
O.13.4 Training of Technical Staff Who Will Perform Recovery Procedures .......................... O-82
O.13.5 Software and Operating Systems for Restoring System Operations........................... O-82
O.13.6 Hardware Needed To Restore and Run the System .................................................. O-83
O.13.7 Backup Electrical Power Systems............................................................................. O-83
O.13.8 Projected Time for Restoring the System .................................................................. O-83
O.13.9 Testing the System Restoration Process................................................................... O-83
O.13.10 Documenting System Outages.................................................................................. O-83
O.13.11 Documenting System Problems That Could Result in Outages.................................. O-83
O.14 Technical and Other Support .................................................................................... O-84
O.14.1 Technical Help Systems............................................................................................ O-84
O.14.2 Staffing ..................................................................................................................... O-86
O.14.3 Test and Evaluation Facility ...................................................................................... O-86
O.14.4 Customer Satisfaction Survey................................................................................... O-86

P. Past Performance ......................................................................................................................... P-1
P.1 Registry, Database, and Internet Experience .............................................................. P-5
P.2 Technical Capabilities ................................................................................................. P-7
P.3 Past Performance References .................................................................................. P-10

Q. Performance Measurements ........................................................................................................ Q-1

R. Offerors Representations and Certifications............................................................................... R-1

S. NeuStar's DUNs Number.............................................................................................................. S-1

T. Transition and Project Plan...........................................................................................................T-1
T.1 Transition to New usTLD Administrator ........................................................................T-2
T.1.1 Requirements for Successful Transition .......................................................................T-2
T.1.2 Time Line for Transition ...............................................................................................T-5
T.1.3 Implementation ............................................................................................................T-5
T.1.4 Resources ...................................................................................................................T-6
T.2 Project Plan .................................................................................................................T-6
T.2.1 High-level Task Descriptions........................................................................................T-8
T.2.2 Staffing and Organization.............................................................................................T-9
T.2.3 Monitoring, Control, and Change Management ............................................................T-9
T.2.4 Quality Assurance......................................................................................................T-10