Vermont Adaptation & Risk Index

2026-11-03

1 . 1 . SCOPE AND BACKGROUND : Through this Request for Proposal ( RFP ) the Agency of Natural Resources , Climate Action Office ( hereinafter the “ State ”) is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies that can provide the development of an index that integrates social , environmental , economic , and infrastructure vulnerability and adaptive capacity indicators to support consistent , defensible prioritization of climate resilience investments across Vermont . 1 . 1 . 1 . PROJECT BACKGROUND : The following information on the State , and relevant laws and previous work is provided as project background : Climate Action Office The Agency of Natural Resources Climate Action Office ( CAO ) coordinates and provides significant expertise and capacity on state - led climate initiatives , as well as the monitoring , assessment and tracking of climate adaptation , mitigation , and resilience activities necessary to evaluate progress over time in achieving the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act ( GWSA ) through implementation of the Climate Action Plan . The CAO is a division within the Agency of Natural Resources ( ANR ) Secretary ’ s Office , and is focused on three core areas : • Climate Program Coordination • On - going support of implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act ( GWSA ) • Community and Stakeholder Engagement Global Warming Solutions Act In 2020 , the Vermont Legislature passed the Global Warming Solutions Act ( GWSA ) ( Act 153 as Enacted ), which created legally binding emission reduction requirements . The Act was created in response to concerns around Vermont ’ s changing climate and the magnitude of what must be done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change on Vermont ’ s landscape . The Act requires Vermont to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 26 % below 2005 levels by 2025 , 40 % below 1990 levels by 2030 , and 80 % below by 2050 . In addition to the emission reductions required by the statute , the law requires the consideration of opportunities for long - term carbon sequestration , and strategies for helping Vermont communities prepare for the impacts of climate change . The GWSA also requires the development of a municipal vulnerability index to include factors measuring a municipality ’ s population , average age , employment , and grand list trends ; active public and civic organizations ; and distance from emergency services and shelter . DETAILED REQUIREMENTS / DESIRED OUTCOMES : 2 . 1 . PURPOSE : To fulfill the GWSA statutory requirement of an index that includes factors to measure vulnerability to the impacts of climate change , and to support implementation of the Climate Superfund Act through the development of criteria and procedures for prioritizing climate change adaptation projects , the CAO is advancing this project to develop a Vermont Adaptation & Risk Index . The primary goals of this project include : • Develop a transparent , data - driven index that integrates social , environmental , economic , and infrastructure vulnerability to operationalize climate risk , vulnerability , and adaptive capacity data that support consistent , defensible prioritization of climate resilience investments across Vermont . • Strengthen and connect existing Vermont tools into a coherent system that reduces duplication and improves clarity for users while addressing data gaps and improving usability for decision - makers . • Incorporate future climate risk using a consistent statewide climate modeling framework , enabling agencies to account for projected hazards and long - term climate impacts in resilience planning and investment decisions . • Lay the groundwork for long - term maintenance and institutional adoption of the index across state government . Develop proposed climate resilience project selection criteria that build on existing prioritization and review processes and apply the index to support transparent , equitable , and fiscally responsible project selection with by - in from across Vermont State Agencies . A resilience index must build upon , align with , and complement existing tools while addressing current gaps in statewide project prioritization and investment decision - making . Alignment with existing tools is critical to ensure methodological consistency , reduce duplication , maintain user trust , and support institutional adoption . At the same time , the index must advance beyond existing tools by improving standardization , incorporating additional data , and supporting a broader set of criteria that will prioritize resilience projects and investments . 2 . 1 . 1 . Expected Alignment with Existing State Tools : • Data compatibility and interoperability : Use shared or compatible datasets where feasible to enable cross - tool comparison and integration and ensure the index can be maintained alongside existing state data systems and platforms . • Equity and public health considerations : Incorporate relevant social , demographic , and healthrelated indicators consistent with the VT Department of Health Community Resilience Index and Vermont ’ s Environmental Justice ongoing mapping efforts , ensuring that frontline and disproportionately impacted communities are appropriately reflected . • Usability for State decision - making : Align outputs ( e . g ., municipal scores , sub - indices , or indicator groupings ) with how agencies currently use existing tools in planning , grantmaking , and hazard mitigation processes . 2 . 1 . 2 Areas Where this Index May Differ or Expand : • Purpose and application : The index must be explicitly designed to support project prioritization , funding decisions , and interagency coordination , including application to criteria required or recommended under Act 153 ( 2020 ), Act 122 ( 2024 ), and the Resilience Implementation Strategy . SCOPE OF WORK : The scope of work described herein conveys minimum expectations of the consultant and a general approach to implementing the Vermont Adaptation & Risk Index . The State will consider proposals that offer supplemental deliverables , suggest alternative or creative strategies and / or offer an entirely different and creative approach to implement the project and achieve the goals and outcomes described herein . Task 1 : Project Management & Coordination Contractor will manage the project through structured communication , progress tracking , and coordination with Agency staff . This includes hosting a project kickoff meeting and preparing a detailed project workplan , facilitating bi - weekly check - in meetings with the CAO Resilience & Adaptation Coordinator and other key staff , maintaining active communication channels , presenting draft and final deliverables , and submitting invoices at the end of each project phase . Task 1 Deliverables : 1 . Kickoff meeting completed and workplan approved by CAO Resilience & Adaptation Coordinator . 2 . Standing Team meetings occur as scheduled , with agendas , notes , and action items documented . 3 . Invoices submitted and approved at the conclusion of each phase . Task 2 : Stakeholder Engagement Contractor will develop a stakeholder engagement plan and manage implementation of that plan through engagement with key state , regional , and local stakeholders . Contractor will work with the State team to identify key stakeholders to interview with outcomes to inform both index design and use . Task 2 Deliverables : 1 . Develop a detailed and stakeholder engagement strategy that includes stakeholders identified for interviews or other engagement formats , and a set of questions to support the interview process . Stakeholder engagement strategy will identify key data owners , users , and decision - makers to inform index design . Stakeholder engagement strategy will be informed by interviews conducted during the development of the Municipal Vulnerability Indicators Tool project . 2 . Interviews , listening sessions , and surveys with agency staff , Regional Planning Commissions ( RPCs ), and municipal representatives to understand data needs and applications . Task 3 : Index Design Memo and Presentation Contractor will prepare a memo that includes a recommended approach for the development of the index , based on stakeholder engagement , review of existing indices and other vulnerability tools , and informed by the State Team . Contractor will present on recommended approach and will allow time for Q & A . Following presentation to the State Team , Contractor will deliver a final Index Design Memo that incorporates feedback on approach . Task 3 Deliverables : 1 . Draft Index Design Memo that details at least one approach for development of the index and includes : a . Purpose and use : • Statement of Index ’ s primary purpose ( s ) and users and how it will support project prioritization , funding decisions , and resilience planning across state agencies . b . Overall framework : • The conceptual approach for the index ( e . g ., vulnerability , risk , adaptation ) and how key components are organized . • A simple description or diagram showing how different parts of the index fit together . • Rationale for recommended approach .

Vermont

2026-04-28