VA EHR Reboot 2026: Federal EHR Modernization, Deployment Schedule, and What Government Contractors Must Know
The VA EHR Reboot in 2026 marks the restart of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program, also known as the Federal EHR initiative using Oracle Health (formerly Cerner Millennium).
After years of performance challenges, deployment pauses, and oversight scrutiny, the VA is resuming EHR deployments at additional VA medical centers under a revised rollout strategy.
For government contractors supporting VA health IT modernization, the 2026 restart represents both opportunity and elevated execution risk.
This article explains:
The background of the VA EHR modernization effort
Why deployments were paused
What changes in the 2026 reboot
What contractors should understand before go-live
Where to access the 2026 VA EHR deployment schedule
If you are competing in federal health IT contracts, VA IT modernization, systems integration, training, infrastructure, cybersecurity, or program management, this update directly impacts capture and delivery strategy.
Background: VA Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM)
In 2018, the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded a multibillion-dollar contract to modernize its legacy electronic health record system. The selected platform was Cerner Millennium, later acquired by Oracle and now branded as Oracle Health.
The objectives of VA EHR modernization included:
Standardizing clinical workflows
Improving interoperability with the Department of Defense
Replacing legacy VistA systems
Creating a unified Federal EHR environment
The first VA EHR go-live occurred in October 2020 at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington.
Deployments expanded to additional VA medical centers in 2022.
However, the implementation encountered sustained operational challenges including:
Performance degradation
Workflow disruption
System latency
Integration complexity
Hundreds of documented major performance incidents
In April 2023, the VA paused further EHR deployments after rollout to five medical centers to reassess stabilization, governance, and change management processes.
This pause triggered increased oversight attention and a broader evaluation of execution strategy.
VA EHR Reboot 2026: What Is Changing
The 2026 VA EHR restart is not a continuation of the previous rollout model.
VA leadership has described a revised approach emphasizing:
Wave-based regional deployments
Greater standardization of system configuration
Reduced site-specific customization
Improved governance and oversight mechanisms
Faster operational stabilization after go-live
This shift reflects lessons learned from the initial deployment phases between 2020 and 2023.
For contractors, this means the evaluation environment is different in 2026.
Programs that have experienced public scrutiny and deployment pauses typically operate under:
Lower tolerance for ambiguity
Greater emphasis on measurable readiness
Increased focus on post-go-live stabilization
Heightened oversight visibility
Understanding this context is critical when shaping proposals and delivery frameworks.
What the 2026 VA EHR Rollout Means for Government Contractors
The VA EHR modernization program remains one of the most visible federal health IT efforts in the United States.
For government contractors, the 2026 restart affects:
Capture strategy for VA EHR task orders
Proposal positioning for health IT modernization
Staffing models for go-live support
Integration and infrastructure readiness
Training and adoption planning
Incident response and command center design
This is not simply a technical deployment.
It is an enterprise transformation under sustained oversight.
Contractors supporting VA EHR go-lives in 2026 will be evaluated on operational control, stabilization capability, and execution discipline.
To understand how this environment affects proposal competitiveness and performance risk, watch our full breakdown:
👉 How to Win Contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2026 (VA EHR)
The video provides a deeper analysis of:
The evolution of VA EHR modernization
The operational implications of the 2026 reboot
The shifting expectations for contractors supporting Federal EHR deployments
2026 VA EHR Modernization Deployment Schedule and Go-Live Locations
As part of the 2026 restart, VA has outlined a deployment schedule structured around regional waves.
To support planning and capture efforts, we are including a 2026 VA EHR Modernization Deployment Schedule table, detailing:
Planned medical center go-live locations
Regional clustering strategy
Expected sequencing of deployments
Wave timing for 2026
This deployment schedule is particularly relevant for:
Capture managers
Proposal teams
Health IT integrators
Staffing planners
Subcontractors seeking teaming alignment
Reviewing the schedule allows contractors to align pipeline strategy, resource planning, and competitive positioning with anticipated rollout phases.
Final Analysis: VA EHR 2026 Is an Execution Test
The VA Electronic Health Record Modernization program has moved through initial deployment, pause, reassessment, and now reboot.
In 2026, deployments resume under greater scrutiny and with clearer expectations.
For government contractors, the difference between winning and losing may not be technical capability alone. It will likely hinge on how well firms demonstrate disciplined execution, stabilization planning, and operational readiness in a highly visible federal modernization program.
To gain full context:
Watch the complete video analysis of the VA EHR Reboot 2026
Review the 2026 VA EHR deployment schedule and go-live locations
Reassess your capture and delivery strategy accordingly
The VA EHR modernization effort is moving forward again.
Contractors who understand the history, the reboot strategy, and the 2026 deployment environment will be positioned more effectively in this next phase of Federal EHR implementation.
If you want to win government contracts and grow your business, set up a time to chat with our team and see how we can help you win more!
