[runsfromfire]

Would having an open bidding process preclude the use of .gov TLD?

Why couldn’t the highest bidder handle the payment and processing at e.g. tolls.gov?

[renewiltord]

I imagine the process of getting a .gov TLD and transferring it is currently arduous - perhaps because that .gov is a heavy hitter TLD. If so, local governments may lack the resources to put into place improvements for their constituents if blocked on that TLD. But if it is the case that the process for that is simple then what you say is reasonable.