# VA Expands Proactive Data Use

At the Federal Cloud & Data Forum on October 8, 2026, Department of Veterans Affairs Chief Data Officer Lisa Rosenmerkel described efforts to make VA data more reliable and interoperable and use it proactively to connect veterans with benefits and services. VA is exploring data, AI, and automation to identify benefits veterans may qualify for, reduce repeated information requests, and speed claims processing. The signals identify a strategic demand area, not an announced solicitation: they provide no contract value or procurement timeline.

- Contractors with data integration, interoperability, secure data access, AI, and workflow automation capabilities can align offerings with the needs described, while recognizing that no specific procurement opportunity has been announced.
- The stated goals—more efficient benefits access and claims processing—make reliable cross-program data use a relevant capability area for firms serving VA.
- Businesses should distinguish this strategic direction from an active bid or compliance requirement; the signals provide no solicitation, award, or deadline.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

### Key Quotes
> Why can’t we use the information we have to be more proactive and offer those services and make it just so easy for them to take the benefits and services they earned?
> — Lisa Rosenmerkel, VA Chief Data Officer

### Sources
- [VA CDO Wants Data to be as Reliable as Water, Electricity | GovCIO Media & Research](https://govciomedia.com/va-cdo-wants-data-to-be-as-reliable-as-water-electricity) - GovCIO Media & Research
- [VA Eyes Proactive Data Use to Help Veterans Access Benefits – MeriTalk](https://www.meritalk.com/articles/va-eyes-proactive-data-use-to-help-veterans-access-benefits) - MeriTalk