VA - Information Technology Workforce Certification Cou - MRAS

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in collaboration with the General Services Administration (GSA), is conducting market research to explore opportunities for enhancing its Information Technology (IT) workforce through certification courses. This initiative is spearheaded by the VA's Office of Information & Technology (OIT), specifically the Office of People Science (OPS) under the People Readiness (PR) division. The overarching goal is to ensure that IT services provided to veterans are high-quality, effective, and timely, thereby supporting the VA's mission to deliver comprehensive care to veterans across various points of their healthcare journey.

The VA's PR division aims to create a learning-centric environment that aligns with business strategies and fosters an efficient, veteran-focused workforce. To this end, they are seeking input on designing and implementing comprehensive workforce development programs that integrate work roles with curated learning paths and professional IT certification training. These programs are vital for aligning with strategic initiatives that enhance IT service delivery quality and efficiency for veterans.

The scope of work outlined in the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) includes project management tasks such as developing a contractor project management plan and conducting technical kickoff meetings. Additionally, it involves establishing an IT professional certification program that caters to different proficiency levels within the organization. Optional tasks may include increasing course offerings for Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 IT certifications. The intent is to build upon existing progress made by PR in linking training with work roles through the VA's Talent Management System (TMS), thereby providing a structured framework for career development based on recognized standards like NICE and DCWF.

By defining clear work roles and integrating cybersecurity into all positions, PR supports recruitment, training, retention efforts, and proficiency gap identification within OIT staff. This structured approach ensures that each staff member comprehends their responsibilities and required skills while fostering continuous development within the IT workforce. Ultimately, these efforts aim to enhance VA's capacity to serve veterans effectively while maintaining compliance with relevant federal guidelines and security standards.