Veterans Benefits: Redirected Modernization Shows Promise
AIMD-94-26
Published: Dec 09, 1993. Publicly Released: Dec 22, 1993.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) computer systems and services modernization project, focusing on: (1) the status of the VBA business process redesign and its service improvement goals; (2) the validity of VBA cost estimates; (3) the VBA contention that existing computer equipment failures are frequent and cause service problems; and (4) the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) and the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) agreement to redirect the VBA modernization effort.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | To help ensure the success and financial integrity of the VBA modernization effort, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should direct VBA to replace the existing economic assessment with a new economic analysis that is accurate, complete, and fully supported with auditable documentation. |
Closed – Not Implemented
In July 1994, GAO updated the Department's progress in implementing the June 1993 agreement with OMB to redirect VBA's modernization effort. GAO found that VBA would not conduct a new assessment and that the agreed upon update had not been completed. VA plans to update cost information after it awards the second of its three planned procurements. Further, the Department states that because it did not concur in GAO's conclusion, it was not responding to it. On the basis of this action, GAO believes that this recommendation should be closed.
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Topics
Claims settlementComputer contractsComputer equipment contractsCost analysisCost controlInformation systemsIT acquisitionsLife cycle costsStrategic information systems planningSystems conversionsVeterans benefits