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LAS CRUCES, NM – The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) on July 12 seeking bids for a contractor to provide regular sightseeing tours of the Spaceport America facilities and construction jobsite to the public. The NMSA wants to start regular weekend tour service as early as September 1, 2010. Prospective bidders are encouraged to obtain details from the RFP section of the spaceport website at http://www.spaceportamerica.com/news/requests-for-proposals.html

Presently, members of the public can sign up for "Hard Hat Tours" of Spaceport America online at www.spaceportamerica.com. These tours are provided on an 'as-needed' basis. Under the proposed RFP, tours will be conducted every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with clearly defined operational schedules. NMSA Executive Director Rick Homans said, "These tours are unique in that they provide extraordinary public access to an active construction site. By following safety constraints and working with the contractors, visitors can watch as Spaceport America takes shape."

For more Spaceport America RFP/ITB information, please consult the General Services Department, New Mexico State Purchasing Division website at: www.generalservices.state.nm.us/spd/spd.html

Construction of Spaceport America is proceeding as scheduled. Since construction began in August 2009, more than 600 construction jobs have been created, with more on the way. Spaceport America has been working closely with leading aerospace firms such as Virgin Galactic, Lockheed Martin, Moog- FTS, and UP Aerospace to develop commercial spaceflight at the new facility. The launches, tourism and construction at the spaceport are already delivering on the promise of economic impact to the people of New Mexico.