FEDweek IT

The VA has issued a request for proposal for a new medical appointment scheduling system and is seeking management-based scheduling software to replace the legacy system that has been in operation since 1985.

The department hopes to begin using the new commercial, off the shelf – COTS, system within months of awarding the contract, while also continuing to support the existing VistA system, which is also being enhanced following the scheduling scandal. For example, the VA awarded a contract to improve the existing scheduling interface including a calendar view of resources in lieu of the current text-based, multiple-screen view. That update is scheduled for rollout in January.

VA’s acquisition approach for the new Medical Appointment Scheduling System – MASS, remains full and open so that any qualified vendor may compete, the VA said.

VA expects to award the contract by the spring of 2015, after evaluating bids and technical demonstrations. Core capabilities must be deployed to all VA medical facilities within the first two years of the contract, with remaining capabilities to be implemented nationally in a series of incremental enhancements throughout the contract period of performance.