The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to issue a request for proposals by the end of September 2014 to acquire a new medical appointment scheduling system that would contain new management-based scheduling software.
“VA chose a full- and open-competitive strategy to acquire a ‘commercial, off-the-shelf’ scheduling system, †Stephen Warren, the VA’s chief information officer, said Monday.
“We want a system that is user-friendly and tailored specifically for our veterans.â€
The VA plans to release a draft RFP prior to the full RFP, which will require vendors to compile a written proposal and conduct a technical demonstration for scheduling staff.
A contract award could come by the end of the calendar year and vendors will have 30 days after the full RFP’s release to respond, the VA said.
“We want this process to be open to all eligible vendors to make sure the nation’s veterans have the full benefits the innovative marketplace has to offer, †VA Secretary Bob McDonald said.
“When we can put a solid scheduling system in place, this will free up more human resources to focus on direct veterans’ care.”
