The Department of Veterans Affairs is locked in the largest health IT modernization project in federal government history. The VA is transforming its legacy systems, upgrading clinical infrastructure, and expanding telehealth to reach veterans in rural areas. This digital overhaul creates a window of opportunity for vendors with health IT solutions, cybersecurity tools, and clinical workflow software. Unlike typical federal agencies that move at glacial pace, the VA has executive-level urgency driving these changes—the leadership team wants results, which means program managers have authority to move fast and fund solutions that work.
The VA also operates preferential procurement for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOSB) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB). If your company is veteran-owned, you have structural advantage. Beyond that, the VA's fragmented structure creates multiple procurement opportunities. The VHA (Veterans Health Administration) procures clinical systems. The Veterans Benefits Administration buys benefits processing software. VACO (VA Central Office) funds IT modernization at scale. The VA also partners with private healthcare networks to serve veterans, creating procurement for telehealth, data integration, and care coordination tools. This isn't a monolithic buyer—it's a network of programs and priorities where timing and relationship matter enormously.
The VA procures through traditional methods (RFPs, task orders on existing contracts) and non-traditional methods (OTA agreements, direct partnerships). Start by registering in SAM.gov and monitoring VA-specific solicitations on beta.SAM.gov and VA.gov's acquisition website. However, most large VA wins happen through existing contract vehicles. The VA Schedule (similar to GSA Schedule) allows vendors to bid on task orders from an existing contract. Vendors who hold VA Schedule contracts can respond to specific solicitations without competing in open RFP. Getting on the VA Schedule typically takes 3–6 months and requires detailed pricing, past performance, and capability alignment.
T4NG (Telehealth Technology and Total Health Implementation) is the VA's flagship health IT modernization contract. It's large, multi-award, and open to competition for subcontract opportunities. Primes on T4NG actively seek subcontractors in clinical workflow, EHR integration, and telehealth components. Getting on T4NG as a subcontractor is often faster than winning directly from the VA, especially for smaller vendors. The VA also issues RFQs (Requests for Quote) for specific tools or services; these are lower-dollar but faster procurement mechanisms. Finally, the VA has an Innovation Corps program that funds pilots of emerging technology with veteran populations. These pilot programs are low-risk entry points for startups and non-traditional vendors.
T4NG (Telehealth and Total Health) is the centerpiece of VA modernization. It's a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar contract focused on clinical systems, care delivery, and health IT infrastructure. Vendors who understand T4NG's architecture and established integrations have immediate advantage. SDVOSB Contracting is a major program with set-asides across all VA procurement. If you qualify as SDVOSB, you compete in reserved procurements where you face less competition. Office of Connected Care drives telehealth expansion, remote monitoring, and virtual care delivery. This office has its own budget and procurement authority for telehealth software and hardware.
VA Innovation Corps funds pilots of novel technology in actual veteran patient populations. It's a gateway program for companies that don't yet have federal track record. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) operates 172 medical centers and procures clinical equipment, EHR modules, diagnostic systems, and care coordination tools. Veteran Services Benefits Administration (VSBA) needs benefits processing software, claims automation, and eligibility determination systems. Each major office has its own procurement calendar and point of contact. The VA is also modernizing infrastructure for rural care delivery, creating specific opportunities for telehealth and remote diagnostic technology.
First, determine whether your company qualifies as SDVOSB or VOSB. If you're veteran-owned, pursue SDVOSB certification through the VA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. The certification process adds value to every pitch and opens set-aside opportunities. Whether or not you're veteran-owned, map your solution to a specific VA use case. Clinical workflow optimization? VHA. Benefits claims processing? VSBA. Telehealth? Office of Connected Care. This clarity matters because different offices have different priorities and budget cycles. Once you've identified the right office, find the program manager and contact them directly with a technical overview of your solution.
Next, explore T4NG subcontracting opportunities. Study the prime contractors on T4NG, understand their tech stack, and reach out with partnership proposals. Primes are incentivized to bring in best-of-breed technology; if your solution solves a gap or improves their offering, they have motivation to partner. For smaller vendors, the Innovation Corps pilot program is your fastest entry. Download the application guidance, prepare a proposal focused on clinical impact and veteran outcomes, and submit. The VA funds dozens of pilots annually at $100k–$500k per pilot. A successful pilot becomes proof of concept for larger VA deployment. Finally, monitor GSA Schedule opportunities for VA-specific vehicles and task orders. Once on GSA Schedule, you can pursue VA Schedule placement (different vehicle, but faster qualification process).