Submitting OIG:
Report Description:
To promote compatibility with the Department of Defense’s electronic health record system, VA is replacing its aging record system. This requires VA medical facilities to upgrade their physical infrastructure, including electrical and cabling. The OIG determined from its audit that the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) cost estimates for these upgrades were not reliable. VHA’s estimates did not fully meet VA standards for being comprehensive, well-documented, accurate, and credible. The audit team projected that VHA’s June and November 2019 cost estimates were potentially underestimated by as much as $1 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively. This was due in part to facility needs not being well-defined early on. The estimates also omitted escalation and cabling upgrade costs and were based on low estimates at the initial operating sites. Because cost estimates support funding requests, there is risk that funds intended for other medical facility improvements would need to be diverted to cover program shortfalls.
Date Issued:
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Agency Reviewed / Investigated:
Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:
20-03178-116
Component, if applicable:
Office of the Secretary
Location(s):
Agency-Wide
Type of Report:
Audit
Questioned Costs:
$0
Funds for Better Use:
$0
Number of Recommendations:
5
View Document:
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
VAOIG-20-03178-116.pdf | 1.14 MB |
Additional Details Link: