Veterans Affairs Released AI Services Contract Plan

The agency seeks industry input for a three-year contract to support AI integration for over 500,000 users.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Isometric editorial illustration of a stone plinth holding interconnected copper filaments, representing large-scale infrastructure modernization. — The Department of Veterans Affairs has initiated a request for information to procure third-party artificial intelligence services to modernize operations for 540,000 users. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the federal government accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into public services?

The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a request for information to procure third-party artificial intelligence services. The project aims to provide 540,000 users with AI tools across six rollout waves.

Why it matters

The department intends to use this contract to build an AI-ready workforce and modernize internal workflows. Expanding AI access is a core component of the agency's strategy to improve service delivery for veterans.

The three-year support contract covers architecture, development, integration, and security remediation for 540,000 users. Core enterprise AI products and native vendor services are excluded from the scope.

The players

Department of Veterans Affairs

This federal agency is responsible for providing vital services to U.S. military veterans, including healthcare and benefits administration.

The details

The contract focuses on third-party services like integration and operations, while the agency plans to acquire first-party AI offerings separately. Industry participants are currently being asked to provide feedback on staffing, subcontracting, and a proposed technical challenge evaluation method.

September 22, 2026: The Department of Veterans Affairs released the request for information.
October 7, 2026: Industry responses are due by 10 a.m. Eastern time.
October 2026: The department expects to release the final solicitation.

The Tech Race

The VA's move follows the federal directive established by the Biden Administration's October 2023 Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI. This transition marks a shift from experimental pilot programs toward standardized, enterprise-wide adoption of AI capabilities.

The initiative aims to improve internal workflows and service accessibility for veterans across the country. Users within the VA system can expect future updates to digital tools as the six rollout waves are implemented over the next three years.

The takeaway

This solicitation highlights the ongoing shift toward professionalizing AI integration within large-scale public sector organizations. The department's focus on third-party integration suggests a move toward specialized support models for complex digital infrastructure.