[SatNews] The Air Force released a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for GPS III Launch Services, May 13. The launch service includes launch vehicle production, mission integration and launch operations.

GPS III

This draft RFP marks a milestone in the Air Force's ongoing efforts to reintroduce competition into the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle  (EELV) program. This is the first of nine space launch missions that the Air Force plans to compete in its EELV Phase 1A strategy.

"This is our first competition for EELV launch services in over a decade," said Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves, Air Force Program Executive Office for Space. "Our intent is to reintroduce competition while maintaining our focus on mission success in support of National Security Space launches."

The Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, located at the Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes the Global Positioning System, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space based infrared systems and space situational awareness capabilities.