<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">On Sep 16, 2016, at 8:55 AM, John Curran <<a href="mailto:jcurran@istaff.org" class="">jcurran@istaff.org</a>> wrote:<br class=""><div><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class=""></div>Yes, per the contract, 15 calendar notices notice is required to maintain the option</div><div class="">to renew. That letter serves as such notice for option year two, without committing</div><div class="">the government to do so.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class="">To Giacomo's question, given today's date and given we have not seen any other correspondence from the US government to ICANN, <span style="line-height: 1.65em;" class="">does this mean the NTIA hasn't exercised its renew option on the IANA contract,</span></div></div></blockquote><div class=""><br class=""></div>No. The letter informs ICANN that the USG maintains its _right_ (but not obligation)</div><div class="">to continue the contract.</div></div></div></blockquote><br class=""></div><div>This may also be confirmed per Asst Secr Strickland’s congressional testimony this week - </div><div><br class=""></div><div>"On August 12, ICANN informed NTIA that it has completed or will complete all the necessary tasks called for in the transition proposal by the end of the contract term. NTIA has thoroughly reviewed that report. NTIA informed ICANN on August 16 that based on that review and barring any significant impediment, NTIA intends to allow the IANA functions contract to expire as of October 1. NTIA has been transparent and regularly provided Congress with updates on its activities regarding the Internet DNS including its plans to assess the transition proposal.”</div><div><br class=""></div><div><<a href="http://www.ntia.doc.gov/speechtestimony/2016/testimony-assistant-secretary-strickling-protecting-internet-freedom" class="">http://www.ntia.doc.gov/speechtestimony/2016/testimony-assistant-secretary-strickling-protecting-internet-freedom</a>></div><div><br class=""></div><div>i.e. even though USG has reserved the right of renewal (should some “significant</div><div>impediment” appear between now and 30 September), the current plan of NTIA is </div><div>that the IANA contract will be allowed to expire.</div><div><br class=""></div><div>/John</div><div><br class=""></div><div><br class=""></div></body></html>