.co domain contract out for bid — Colombia puts

Country will announce winner in May.

Colombia has issued a request for proposals to run the .co country code domain for the next ten years.

.Co Internet began commercialization of the domain name in 2010, making the extension a household name through savvy marketing and a Super Bowl commercial.

Neustar purchased .Co Internet for $109 million in 2014.

When the contract renewal came up for bid six years later, Neustar argued it had a right to a 10-year extension and filed a $350 million claim with Colombia’s government.

The parties settled the dispute, with Neustar gaining a five-year extension. The terms of the contract were drastically different than the first one; the government stated it received regarding 6%-7% of revenues under the previous model and would receive 81% under the contract extension.

Shortly following getting the extension in 2020, Neustar sold its registry business to GoDaddy.

Colombia has a tight timeline for its request for proposals. Bids are due May 8, and the contract award will be disclosed May 26.

Hat tip: CircleID.