WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fourteen major contracts to transform information technology in the Department of Veterans Affairs have been awarded for an estimated program ceiling of $12 billion. The Transformation Twenty-One Total Technology program, known as T4, will consist of 15 prime contracts, including seven awards reserved for service-disabled Veteran small businesses and Veteran-owned small businesses.
“This five-year program will help the VA transform into a 21st-century organization and enable us to deliver the high-quality healthcare, benefits, and services Veterans have earned,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “In addition, it opens an opportunity for veterans in business to grow and claim a share of VA’s business.”
The VA awarded 14 prime contracts together as a tool to close gaps in acquiring IT services to integrate systems, networks and software. A 15th contract is pending resolution of a protest filed with the Government Accountability Office. The companies selected will have a fair opportunity to compete for work under T4 over five years. The services and products may cover the lifecycle of a computer system, and include program planning and management, systems and software engineering, cyber security, operation and maintenance and support to facilities.
One of VA’s main goals is to provide timely access to benefits and high-quality healthcare to veterans over their lifetimes, from the day they enter military service until the day they are laid to rest. T4 will be a major tool enabling the VA to meet those goals by closing gaps in transforming programs.
The combined contracts will allow the most efficient use of technology to reduce the backlog of benefit claims and deliver real value to America’s taxpayers.
The T4 program will be a single focal point for managing the multiple contracts; give the VA access to the best industry capabilities without the traditional long acquisition lead-time and help the department meet its veteran small-business goals.
Unsuccessful competitors will be notified once the 15th, final award is made. They will be given the opportunity to receive a debriefing about their respective proposals and learn how to improve future submissions.
