Department of Veterans Affairs cost assessment and program evaluation

(a) In general Subchapter VI of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 2 and amended by section 3, is further amended by adding at the end the following new section: 8184. Cost assessment and program evaluation (a) Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation There is in the Department a Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, who shall report directly to the Secretary. (b) Responsibilities The responsibilities of the Director are as follows: (1) To develop policies and procedures for cost estimation and analysis of major acquisition programs of the Department. (2) To conduct independent cost estimates and analyses for major acquisition programs to support acquisition decisions, or any other acquisitions as directed by the Secretary. (3) To provide an independent cost estimate to the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition in advance of a decision to proceed with full-scale acquisition for a major acquisition program or any other program as directed by the Director. (4) To evaluate the effectiveness of major acquisition programs in meeting Department objectives. (5) Not less frequently than once each year, to submit to the Secretary and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives an annual report on cost estimation and program evaluation activities, including recommendations to improve acquisition efficiency. Such report shall include a list of all acquisitions where the independent cost estimate for a major acquisition program exceeded the budget request for the program by more than 5 percent. (c) Support and resources The Chief Financial Officer of the Department shall provide to the Secretary such support and resources as may be necessary for the Secretary to ensure the effective establishment and functioning of the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation.. (b) Report on monitoring of operating and support costs for major acquisition programs (1) Report to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once each year thereafter until December 31, 2028, the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a report on systems and methods for tracking and assessing operating and support costs of major acquisition programs (as defined in section 8181 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 2), including recommendations for establishing cost baselines. (2) Transmittal to Congress Not later than 30 days after receiving a report pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives the report received by the Secretary.