“The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to juggle a massive IT modernization to-do list, and a bipartisan group of senators hope new legislation will help them keep better tabs on an agenda that seems to grow larger every few months.”
“Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), along with committee Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), are introducing the VA IT Reform Act.”
“’When veterans aren’t getting their earned benefits as a result of poor planning or IT system failures at VA, we’ve got to hold the department accountable,’ Tester said. ‘This is especially critical as more folks seek care and services from VA as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our bipartisan bill will increase transparency and provide VA with the right tools to deliver 21st century technology systems that work for all veterans.’”
“Specifically, the bill sets procedures for VA to come to Congress early on before launching a major IT projects.”
“VA should inform Congress in advance of major IT projects that cost at least $50 million a year, $200 million to implement or $500 million across the entire scope of the initiative, according to the legislation.”
“The bill also prohibits VA from starting major IT projects until it submits a report to Congress detailing the costs, schedule and performance of each initiative, as well as an estimate of the total acquisition, implementation and life cycle costs, an anticipated implementation schedule with specific milestones and key business and performance objectives…” Read the full article here.
Source: Bipartisan group of senators ask VA to rank and prioritize unfunded IT projects – By Nicole Ogrysko, March 16, 2021. Federal News Network.
