Of course ICANN had no idea--that's how government procurement works. Under its own rules the U.S. government had to tell the public first and then the proposing companies.. which is rather backwards, but that's the way it goes in government.
So ... does this mean other outside companies can bid on this new process and maybe we will see IANA managed by someone completely separate from ICANN?
Yes, but that was already the case. IANA management was up for rebid. This article is about the fact that ALL proposals (including ICANN's) were disqualified for one reason or another, so the process will have to start over.