Community Briefs – July 28, 2020

Despite rains, extreme to exceptional drought continues

While showers have increased in the CNMI, rainfall remains below adequate on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. A wetter couple of weeks is expected across the CNMI as passing disturbances pass, bringing periods of scattered showers. Ten-day rainfall totals indicate around 3.5 inches of rainfall. Locally higher amounts are possible with thunderstorms.

In Guam, recent showers have maintained adequate or above-adequate rainfall that is expected to continue in the coming weeks.

A relatively wet pattern the last couple weeks characterized by weak surface troughs and disturbances to the north brought much needed rainfall to most locations across Micronesia. Drought conditions have eased a bit at most locations, but severe to extreme drought persists at Wotje, Utirik, and Kapingamarangi. Exceptional drought continues on Tinian and Saipan.

Showers have become more frequent across the Marianas but tend to be brief and limited in coverage, thus keeping accumulations low. Regional rainfall totals have been near or below adequate, for most locations, so far this month.

Officials across the CNMI report water levels are still above thresholds for concern. (PR)

Guam PTAC webinars sets

The Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center is offering free live webinars every Thursday in August. Webinars run from 10am-11:30am and will be conducted via Zoom. Links to the live webinar and the webinar evaluation will be emailed to all registered attendees 15 minutes before the start of the webinar.

-July 30–Subcontracting – Subcontracting is aimportant part of most government contracts. Subcontracting plans, limitations, and related FAR clauses will be discussed.

-Aug. 6 – Applying for a DUNS Number & Registering iSAM– To sell your product or service to the Federal government, you need to get a DUNS number and register iSAM. These registrations pose unique challenges to Guam/CNMI based businesses. Tips and solutions for these challenges will be discussed.

-Aug. 13 –Updating Your SBA Profile and Navigating the Dynamic Small Business Search–Your SBA Profile is a great marketing tool. The Guam PTAC will show you how to setup and update your profile. The DSBS is SBA’s database of small businesses. We will show you how to use it to help your company succeed igovernment contracting.

-Aug. 20–Federal Contract Opportunities–Beta.sam.gov is the portal for federal contract opportunities. The Guam PTAC will show you how to setup aaccount and how to use the search filters to ensure you do not miss any opportunities.

-Aug. 27–How to Get WomeOwned Small Business Certified–WOSB is now aofficial SBA certificatioprogram. We will discuss the new certificatioprocess as well as supporting document requirements.

Register owebsite, http://guamptac.com/news-and-events.php. (PR)

CHamoru commissiomeeting set

The Kumisiói Fino’ CHamoru yai Fina’nå’guei Historia yai Lina’la’ i Taotao Tåno’ (CommissiooCHamoru Language and the Teaching of the History and Culture of the Indigenous People of Guam) will hold its second monthly meeting on July 30, 2020, Thursday, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm at the Guam Museum conference room, iHågatña. Call Kumisiósecretary Roland Blas for special accommodations and agenda at 480-4047 or email at rolandblas1973@gmail.com. (PR)

No banded snake eel in Guam waters

The Department of Agriculture’s Divisioof Aquatic and Wildlife Resources would like to remind beachgoers, divers, and snorkelers that there has never beea sea snake reported iGuam’s waters. Guam does have a banded snake eel (Myrichthys colubrinus), which looks similar to a snake. The banded snake eel is neither venomous nor dangerous and it is not a cause for concern. If you have any questions about this or other marine organisms, call (671)735- 0289/82/91/94 or email fisheries@doag.guam.gov. (PR)