"These reports, to me, indicate we could be back in another couple of years with a $25 billion problem."

by Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org

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It looks like we can add another failed information technology project to the VA's long list of blunders.

In a recent edition of the Military Times, Rick Maze writes:

Lawmakers: VA accounting system deserves an F

By Rick Maze - Staff writer

Incredulous lawmakers sat steaming as government auditors gave the Veterans Affairs Department a “B” grade on efforts to correct an accounting system that has almost twice as many unexplained charges today as it did two years ago.

“I would not underestimate the anger my colleagues on both sides feel. I would not underestimate the sense we are really mad,” said Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, who said he would have given VA an “F.”

The problem involves something called “miscellaneous obligations” —purchases made outside of the normal contracting system, usually for items that are needed quickly, such as medical supplies, but sometimes also for bigger items such as vehicles and furniture.

You can read the entire article here ...
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/07/
military_VA_accountingproblems_072810w/

The GAO testimony mentioned in the article can be accessed below.

Department of Veterans Affairs: Long-standing Weaknesses in Miscellaneous Obligation and Financial Reporting Controls GAO-10-939T,  July 28, 2010 Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 15 pages)

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