VA Launches Tech Pilot Portfolio to Accelerate Modernization

The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new portfolio of technology pilots designed to accelerate modernization and deliver better outcomes for veterans through improved digital capabilities and enterprise innovation, according to VA officials.

The pilot portfolio, led by the VA’s Office of Information and Technology (OIT), includes initiatives exploring Google Workspace, Oracle Cloud, Google Cloud, the Enterprise Cybersecurity Rationalization Initiative and additional emerging capabilities intended to enhance enterprise collaboration, cloud adoption, cybersecurity and operational performance.

Zack Schwartz, VA OIT’s principal deputy assistant secretary, is overseeing the effort and said the initiative represents a shift toward a more agile and forward-leaning model for technology adoption at VA.

”The VA is moving beyond the status quo,” Schwartz told GovCIO Media & Research. “Our focus is continuous modernization, disciplined execution and bringing the best available technologies forward in a secure and responsible way to deliver better outcomes for veterans.”

Schwartz said the pilots are designed to evaluate modern capabilities against mission needs while ensuring alignment with patient safety, cybersecurity requirements and enterprise governance. The effort establishes a repeatable framework for testing, validating and scaling technology solutions that demonstrate measurable mission impact.

“We want to challenge ourselves to explore what is possible while maintaining the highest standards for security and operational reliability,” he said. “Innovation must be deliberate, measurable and directly tied to improving outcomes for veterans.”

Driving Modernization Through Pilots

The initiative reflects a broader effort across federal agencies to accelerate experimentation and reduce barriers to adopting emerging technologies. Programs such as GSA’s OneGov initiative have expanded government-wide access to enterprise AI tools through partnerships with companies including OpenAI, Microsoft, Google and AWS.

Through similar approaches, agencies are rapidly testing new collaboration and automation platforms. For example, the Transportation Department announced plans to transition its workforce to Google Workspace with Gemini following a rapid deployment pilot.

At VA, officials see technology pilots as a structured pathway to evaluate new capabilities while managing risk and enabling faster enterprise adoption of proven solutions.

Schwartz noted that past implementations across government have often struggled with lengthy adoption cycles that slow innovation. The new model emphasizes rapid testing, clear performance metrics and scalable deployment pathways.

“We are creating a disciplined framework where industry collaborates with VA to test solutions in real-world environments,” he said. “Successful pilots will demonstrate measurable value and readiness for enterprise adoption.”

The initiative builds on recent VA pilot successes, including the ambient AI scribe program launched in October 2025. That project uses AI to generate clinical notes from clinician-patient conversations and is expected to expand nationwide across VA medical facilities in 2026.

A Security-First Approach to Innovation

Schwartz emphasized that modernization efforts will prioritize cybersecurity and patient safety alongside innovation.

“The VA is leaning fully into advanced technology — but never at the expense of security or trust,” he said. “Our expectations are high for any vendor or platform entering the VA ecosystem.”

He added that his experience across federal leadership roles and outside government has reinforced the importance of balancing speed with governance and strong enterprise architecture.

Next Steps

VA officials said pilot performance will be closely monitored through dynamic evaluation processes designed to ensure tools deliver measurable value without creating redundancy or unnecessary complexity.

“Moving forward, this is how we operate,” Schwartz said. “We will continuously partner with industry, pilot new capabilities and rapidly scale what works to accelerate modernization and deliver better outcomes for veterans.”