China's jumbo jet producer is inviting qualified domestic companies to bid for supply contracts of key parts and components for the project.

The contracts consists of two packages of components, including the nose, fuselage, wings, parts of the tail, the power plant and the landing gear, said the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China on its Website.

Domestic suppliers, who are capable of producing and designing such components, can apply to bid for the contracts by midday tomorrow, the statement said.

Both domestic and overseas companies can submit applications to the company.

The firm will invite potential suppliers to a meeting on March 27.

The company is also seeking public opinions on designing a research and development center, which will cover 488,000 square meters in Zhangjiang High-tech Park in Pudong.

China formed the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China in May last year to take charge of the jumbo jet project. Wu Guanghui, chief designer of the jumbo jet, said the first jet, the C919, is due to roll off the production line in eight years.

All facets of the process - from design to material sourcing and production - will be done in China.

(Shanghai Daily March 18, 2009)