Vermont Department of Health

Buyer seeks a vendor to design and implement focus groups with Vermont firearm owners and employees of firearm-related businesses. The purpose is to solicit input on suicide prevention strategies for Vermonters who own or have access to firearms. The project requires developing an engagement plan, hosting focus groups and interviews, and providing recommendations in a final report. Buyer aims to utilize community input to plan public health strategies and reduce suicide deaths among affected communities.

• 4/30/2025 - Questions Due
• 5/7/2025 - Proposal Due Date
• 6/1/2025 - Contract Start Date
• 8/30/2025 - Activities Completion Deadline

• Design focus group sessions to collect input on suicide prevention strategies
• Develop an engagement plan to recruit firearm community participants
• Host at least three focus groups with firearm owners
• Conduct at least three key informant interviews
• Identify individuals from different firearm owner communities
• Include gun shop employees and firing range personnel
• Incorporate individuals who own firearms professionally (law enforcement, military)
• Create questions about community involvement in suicide prevention
• Explore effective communication strategies for the firearm community
• Submit draft Focus Group Design for review and approval
• Submit draft Engagement Plan with timeline for approval
• Complete all activities by August 30, 2025
• Prepare a final report summarizing input collected
• Develop recommendations based on focus group findings
• Apply lethal means safety and evidence-based suicide prevention strategies