Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.

VA Technical Reference Model v 24.11

Release/Decision Help File

Technology/Standard Vendor Release Information

The Vendor Release Information section provides a table that lists all the known releases for the targeted technology/standard. This information is obtained from the technology/standard vendor. The release information table contains the following information:

Column Name Description
Version Lists the version number of the technology/standard (e.g. Release major.minor)
Release Identifies the release date of the specific version of the technology/standard
End of Life Date Identifies the end-of-life date of the specific version of the technology/standard. End of life is when the vendor is no longer making any changes to the technology/standard
Vendor De-support Date Identifies when the vendor will no longer support (e.g., features such as fixing bugs, security patches, etc.) the specific version of the technology [Applies only to Technology entries]
Standard Retract Date Identifies when the Standards Body will no longer support the specific version of the standard [Applies only to Standard entries]

Technology/Standard VA Decision Information

The Current VA Decision Information section presents a table which provides decision information that forecasts the VA IT position regarding different releases of the technology/standard as shown in Figure 1.

Legacy Decision Labels Updated Decision Labels
Approved Authorized
Approved w/ Constraints Authorized w/ Constraints
Unapproved Authorized w/ Constraints (POA&M)
Divest Authorized w/ Constraints (DIVEST)
Prohibited Unauthorized
Planning/Evaluation Constraint Authorized w/ Constraints (PLANNING/EVALUATION)


There are six possible decisions for a version:

  • 'Authorized' indicates the technology/standard has been authorized for use.
  • 'Authorized w/ Constraints' indicates the technology/standard can be used within the specified constraints.
  • 'Authorized w/ Constraints (POA&M)' means the technology or standard can be used only if a VA Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M) review is conducted and signed by the Authorizing Official Designated Representative (AODR) as designated by the Authorizing Official (AO) or designee based upon a recommendation from the POA&M Compliance Enforcement has been granted to a project.
  • 'Authorized w/ Constraints (DIVEST)' means VA has decided to divest itself on the use of the technology/standard. As a result, all projects currently utilizing the technology/standard must plan to eliminate their use of the technology/standard. Additional information on when the entry is projected to become unapproved may be found on the Decision tab for the specific entry.
  • 'Unauthorized' means the technology/standard is not (currently) permitted to be used under any circumstances.
  • 'Authorized w/ Constraints (PLANNING/EVALUATION)' means the period this technology is currently being evaluated, reviewed, and tested in controlled environments. Use of this technology is strictly controlled and not available for use within the general population.
Figure 1: Decision Table Example
Decision Table Example
Click for larger view.

The Decision Table is divided into three sections as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Decision Table Sections
Decision Table Sections
Click for larger view.

How to Use the Decision Table
Using your planned development window, you can determine which release of the technology/standard to use. For example, if your development is scheduled to begin in Q3 of the 2024 calendar year and last for 6 months, there are four versions that are supported in this time frame; 5.x, 6u1-9, 6u10, and 6u11-34 (see Figure 3). In cases where there are multiple versions supported in your release timeline, you are to utilize the latest version that is supported.
Figure 3: Decision Table Usage Example
Decision Table Usage Example
Click for larger view.