New Spaceport America Contracts Awarded

NMSA PRESS RELEASE

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) has selected a contractor to provide construction services for the fences and gates at Spaceport America. After reviewing proposals from four contractors, the NMSA Board of Directors awarded the contract to Apache Construction Company, doing business as Valley Fence Company of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Valley Fence Company will construct fences and gates throughout the Spaceport America site, including the perimeter fencing and access gates to create the secured airfield area within the spaceport. Chain link fencing at the security gates and in other areas are all part of the $937,000 contract. Apache Construction Company provides highway and industrial construction in New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada. The company, doing business as Valley Fence Company, provides asphalt surfacing, grading, and guardrail and fencing construction services. The company is ranked by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of 2009’s 500 largest Hispanic-owned companies in the U.S. Apache Construction was incorporated in 1981 by its officers and is owned by members of the Chavez family, including CEO Mariano Chavez Jr. and president Paul Chavez.

The fences and gates are an important step in the construction of Spaceport America, and NMSA Chairman Rick Homans is pleased with the awarding of the contract. “It’s great to have another family-owned New Mexico company joining our Spaceport America construction efforts,” he said. The NMSA will continue to issue Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITB) for services and construction at the spaceport, and award contracts to the best-qualified and lowest-priced contractors. The latest RFP/ITB information can be found online at https://www.spaceportamerica.com/

Construction of Spaceport America is well underway. Since construction began in August 2009, nearly 500 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 economic impact of launches, tourism and construction at the Spaceport are already delivering on its promise to the people of New Mexico.