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INVITATION TO QUOTE – STANDBY GENERATOR

 NOTICE OF INVITATION TO QUOTE

PROVISION OF STANDBY GENERATOR

CONTRACT REFERENCE: FM-NORMA-49996-GO-RFP

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 The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia’s (FSM) National Oceanic Resource Management Authority (NORMA) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Pacific Regional Oceanscape Program, and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards the procurement of one standby generator.

FSM NORMA is now seeking offers from suitably qualified and experienced vendors/suppliers to supply and install a backup generator for use by FSM NORMA at its office in Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.  It is expected that vendor shall provide a quotation or proposal that may involve the following:

• Provide a standby generator in consideration of NORMA electricity requirements currently estimated to be around 13,500 watts or 13.5 kilowatts which is based on the existing load plus 10% for additional load.
• Install and connect standby generator within housing acceptably built by vendor (details to be provided in ITQ) including provision of all necessary connection accessories and housing materials and collaborating with local utilities company to ensure proper hook-up for automatic transmission switching.
• Provide basic user training on generator proper use and maintenance including the provision of a user-friendly maintenance plan for the expected life of the proposed generator.

Bidding will be conducted through the Shopping procedures specified in the Guidelines for Procurement of Goods, Works, and Non-Consulting Services under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, January 2011 and Revised July 2014 and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Guidelines.

Interested eligible vendors/suppliers can obtain further information from and must also request a formal Invitation To Quote (ITQ) preferably by July 15, 2018 (Pohnpei Local Time) from the following email address.  Mr. OKean Ehmes, PROP Project Coordinator, okean.ehmes@norma.fm.

Quotations in English in response to ITQs must be delivered to the address below at or before 5:00 p.m., 31 July 2018 (Pohnpei local time). Late quotations will be rejected and FSM NORMA reserves the right to reject any and all quotations submitted. Quotations may be submitted by email, courier or delivered by hand to the address below:

Mr. Eugene Pangelinan

Executive Director

FSM National Oceanic Resource Management Authority

Attn: PROP

FSM National Government

P.O. Box PS-122

Kolonia, Pohnpei   96941

Federated States of Micronesia

Telephone: (691) 320-2700/5181

E-mail address: norma@mail.fm and copy to okean.ehmes@norma.fm

Longline Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) Workshop

Longline Vessel Day Scheme Workshop Sets New Goals For FSM

FSM, NORMA

On June 11-13, 2018, FSM National Oceanic Resources Management Authority (NORMA held FSM’s first Longline Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) Workshop at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission in Kolonia, Pohnpei. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the

FSM LL VDS Workshop Participants, WCPFC Headquarters, Pohnpei, FSM

Forum Fisheries Agency and the Office of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, and with funding assistance by the World Bank PROP. The objective of the workshop was to sensitize stakeholders about the Longline VDS and together explore the opportunities available in the FSM States for development of the longline fishery. Participants to the workshop included representatives from the FSM Department of Resources and Development andHeads or Senior Officials of State Departments’ of Fisheries, Economic Affairs, Investment, and Non-Government Organizations responsible for Natural Resource Management, and representatives from Lianchang Overseas Fishery, which is the only onshore investor in the longline fishery for FSM. Facilitator for the workshop was Mr. Wez Norris, former Deputy Director General of FFA and now Consultant to the PNAO.

The LL VDS workshop commenced with welcoming remarks by the Executive Director of NORMA, Mr. Eugene Pangelinan, who welcomed and thanked participants for their attendance, and highlighted the importance of the workshop and FSM’s objective to develop the longline fishery in the FSM. Although the longline fishery is a minor contributer to FSM’s access fee revenues, there is great potential for onshore investment and generation of additional economic benefits in the form of employment and taxes and local provisions if well planned and implemented collectively nationwide. It was therefore important for participants to discuss how the States could facilitate these investments and maximize the returns to FSM from its longline fishery.   He emphasized that the longline fishery suffered a decline in the mid 1990’s when one large foreign company departed the FSM leaving FSM with infrastructure that was hardly ever used again. Today, the opportunity to rebuild the industry is there with the support of Lian Cheng, who has remained in the fishery despite the many difficulties and challenges. FSM needs to work closely with the private sector to reinvigorate this industry which has remained dormant for decades.

The Secretary of FSM R&D, Honorable Marion Henry followed with opening remarks, highlighting the importance of the fisheries sector to FSM and the importance of having a Fisheries Investment Policy which would provide a guideline of how fisheries investments could be facilitated.

Representatives from Liancheng Overseas Fishery presented on the company’s current investments in the FSM and its future expansion plans, and spoke of theissues or challenges the company currently faced in the respective States they have invested in, including how the government could assist to ensure their investments are able to continue to grow.

In addition to being sensitized about fisheries in the Pacific Islands, the PNA longline vessel day scheme and performance of the longline fishery in the FSM, participants were given the opportunity to discuss in working groups their State priorities and investment potentials, as well as the current challenges faced in each State and actions that need to be taken to address those challenges. Those discussions were an important result of the workshop as it would feed into the Fisheries Investment Policy that FFA is currently assisting the FSM Government with. It is anticipated that by the end of this year this Fisheries Investment Policy would be completed.

NORMA’s Fisheries Awareness Program in the FSM

NORMA’s Fisheries Awareness Program in the FSM

April 16, 2018

To celebrate World Tuna Day on May 2, 2016, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) hosted an Art and Talent Quest competition among entries from all the PNA Countries. The winner for the 2016 competition was a poem entitled “Teach Your Children” by Ms. Jasmine Mendiola of Pohnpei, FSM. It was then that the National Oceanic Resource Management Authority (NORMA) came to know of her passion for the marine ecosystem and all her work and efforts in the conservation and management in this area, through aquaculture and education. Consequently, NORMA appointed her as the Fisheries Ambassador in an effort to link the public with NORMA’s continued work in pelagic fisheries management.

The Fisheries Awareness Ambassador has conducted awareness presentations in Chuuk institutions including Xavier High School, Berea Christian School, Saramen Chuuk High School, Chuuk High School and COM Chuuk Campus, reaching over 240 participants. She has also done the same at Yap institutions such as Yap Catholic School, Yap SDA School, COM Yap Campus and COM Fisheries and Maritime Institution (FMI) where the awareness program reached over 140 participants.

While in Yap, Japanese volunteer to NORMA, Ms. Megumi Oda conducted educational art activities with the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Graders of Yap SDA School. Ms. Oda asked the young students if they had seen tuna and if they liked tuna, the students exclaimed, “yes!” cheerfully. She explained to the young students the external features of the three main types of commercial tuna caught in the FSM, which are yellowfin, bigeye and skipjack. With art supplies provided by NORMA, the students were then asked to freely draw some tuna. She then explained the different fishing methods using bigillustration panels, which the students referenced to fill out their small workbooks. Once the activity was done Ms Oda distributed small gifts she prepared as a reward for completing the learning activity. “The children drew wonderful tuna pictures! I hope they learned something about tunas while having fun.” Ms. Oda. This is the first time NORMA has extended its fisheries awareness program to students in primary schools.

Mendiola will be traveling to Kosrae at the end of April to continue NORMA’s awareness program and to assist in the coordination of World Tuna Day celebrations in Kosrae on May 2^nd.

Federated States of Micronesia registers its Maritime Treaties with the United Nations Secretariat

FSM Permanent Mission to UN, New York

The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, had on 4 August 2017, registered with the United Nations a Treaty between the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) concerning maritime boundaries and cooperation on related matters.  The Treaty signed in Majuro, the Capital of the RMI on 5 July 2006, came into force in accordance with its article 7 on 24 July 2015.

Two other treaties which the FSM Government had also entered into were also registered with the UN on 8 November 2017.  These include the Treaty with the Republic of Palau concerning maritime boundaries and cooperation on related matters, signed on 6 July 2005, also concluded in Majuro, and the Amended Treaty between the Federated States of Micronesia and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea concerning maritime boundaries and cooperation on related matters.  The amended treaty was signed in Port Moresby on 7 September 2015.

The treaties were registered by the FSM Government with the United Nations pursuant to Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations which requires every treaty and every international agreement entered into by a Member of the United Nations to be registered with, and published by the Secretariat.   Article 102 further gives publicity to all treaties and international agreements subject to registration.

An additional treaty yet to be registered is that with the United States of America (US) for the maritime boundary between the FSM and Guam.  The registration is awaiting domestic ratification by the US.

The registration of the treaties is another significant achievement by the FSM in defining the extent of its maritime space. This followed FSM’s achievement in extending its normal continental shelf (seabed) beyond the limits of its Exclusive Economic Zone through the joint extended continental shelf submission to the United Nations by the FSM, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands with respect to the Ontong Java Plateau.  The Ontong Java Plateau is a massive mountain range that lies beneath the high seas between the FSM, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Chinese firm showcases tuna catch after deal with Micronesia

Importance and Urgency of Competent Authority in the FSM

FSM NORMA

Fishing Companies Reiterate the Importance and Urgency of Competent Authority in the FSM

With the introduction of the Vessel Day Scheme and the annual increases in fishing access fees, fishing companies accessing FSM’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) have expressed greater interest in establishing tuna processing plants in the FSM in order to qualify for special considerations on access fees and reduce operational costs.

The NORMA Board met with several companies with proposals to establish cold storage facilities in Kosrae as well as loin processing plants in both Kosrae and Pohnpei. It is anticipated that these projects would generate 150-800 employees.

In all the presentations given, the common message from the fishing companies was the critical need and urgency to have a Competent Authority for IUU and Health Safety established in the FSM. Most of the distant water nation fleets fishing in the region export their catch to the EU market, which is currently the most lucrative market for fish products. Companies who have voiced their interest in investing in the FSM are among those fleet. They all stressed during the meeting that their investments would be contingent upon the establishment of the CA. The CA for IUU and Health and Food Safety are market access requirements set by the EU for Countries that wish to export fish into its market. The CA ensures that fish exported into the EU are sustainably caught and are safe for consumption. The only Countries in the Pacific region that have managed to establish a CA are PNG, Fiji, and recently, the small island nation of Kiribati. With the growing interest to invest in the fisheries sector in the FSM, it is imperative that a CA be established soon. NORMA, with support from World Bank under the PROP Project and assistance from New Zealand under a Technical Assistance Project, aims to achieve that within two years.

FSM Surveillance & Fisheries Satellite Monitoring Training

FSM NORMA| Oct. 27, 2017

FSM Surveillance & Fisheries Satellite Monitoring Training

On October 9, 2017, staff from the FSM Department of Justice (DOJ) Maritime Surveillance Wing and the National Oceanic Resource Management Authority (NORMA) gathered at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Annex Building for Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) training. The week-long training, conducted by experts from the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) based in Honiara, Solomon Islands, allowed FSM’s maritime enforcement officers and fisheries compliance staff to upgrade their skills on use of the Regional Satellite Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). The VMS is one of the key MCS tools utilized by FFA members to monitor fishing vessels in their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).

The training was officially opened by NORMA Executive Director, Mr. Eugene Pangelinan, who noted that continual upgrading of systems and skills are essential to an effective fisheries management regime. Mr. Pangelinan highlighted the significant work in fisheries management that has been accomplished over the past decade as a result of the VMS and encouraged participants to absorb as much knowledge as they could from the regional FFA experts as well as FSM’s own in-country experts, VMS Officers Mr. Justino Helgen from NORMA and Mr. Whylik Alfons from DOJ. The training was part of a series of MCS exercises that the FSM requested as part of its Country Service Agreement with FFA and an in-country roll-out of the recently upgraded VMS. Training participants expressed their appreciation for the timeliness and relevance of the training to the FSM, which would aid in carrying out daily MCS tasks, providing policy advice and planning maritime operational activities. The VMS training focused on teaching officers the functionality of various modules on the new VMS Trackwell System and how to operate it to combat, prevent, deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in FSM’s multi-million dollar generating EEZ.