“The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently in the initial stages of a modernization effort central to the agency’s mission. The VA is developing a strategy to completely redesign and modernize its supply chain. The VA Supply Chain manages the flows of all goods, services and information between stakeholders, including within the VA, external suppliers and service providers, all the way to the veteran, who is the ultimate customer.”
“Every service the VA provides will be affected by the modernization effort: prosthetics, pharmacy, IT, medical/surgical supplies, medical equipment, facilities, burial and benefit supplies. It’s a massive yet necessary lift. Based on conversations we’ve had with VA leadership we’re convinced the VA is being comprehensive and thoughtful in its approach.”
“Early takeaways
Some takeaways have become clear during the assessment and functional gap review. Currently there is no consistent, enterprise-wide supply chain at the VA that spans across Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration and National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Frequent localization of the supply chain has fostered numerous independent operators without centralized processes, systems or accountability.”
“This was evident at the start of the pandemic when the VA couldn’t accurately report at the enterprise level on inventory for critical items, such as personal protective equipment. Systems and processes are often not integrated, compounding issues with accountability and process management. And there isn’t a single, consolidated training system in place to foster and maintain internal expertise…”
“Clearly there is significant room for improving the efficiency, efficacy, assurance and cross linkage of the VA supply chain. VA leadership have shared their three main objectives at this time:
- Use an enterprise-wide focus to develop a comprehensive strategy.
- Develop proper metrics to allow evidence-based management of the supply chain.
- Develop a program strategy that includes validation of functional requirements, oversight structure and identifies the best practices/technologies in use today…” Read the full article here.
Source: The importance of VA supply chain modernization – By Gregory Giddens and David Whitmer, April 6, 2022. Federal News Network.
