Mplus

General Information

Technologies must be operated and maintained in accordance with Federal and Department security and privacy policies and guidelines. More information on the proper use of the TRM can be found on the TRM Proper Use Tab/Section.

Website:	Go to site
Description:	Mplus is a statistical modeling program designed to analyze data. This technology offers various choices of models, estimators, and algorithms in a program that includes an interface and graphical displays of data and analysis results. Mplus allows the analysis of both cross-sectional and longitudinal data, single-level and multilevel data, data that comes from different populations with either observed or unobserved heterogeneity, and data that contains missing values. Analyses can be carried out for observed variables that are continuous, censored, binary, ordered categorical (ordinal), unordered categorical (nominal), counts, or combinations of these variable types. In addition, Mplus has capabilities for Monte Carlo simulation studies, where data can be generated and analyzed according to most of the models included in the program. This technology does not utilize a database as data is saved to the user`s local drive.
Technology/Standard Usage Requirements:	Users must ensure their use of this technology/standard is consistent with VA policies and standards, including, but not limited to, VA Handbooks 6102 and 6500; VA Directives 6004, 6513, and 6517; and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards, including Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). Users must ensure sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. Prior to use of this technology, users should check with their supervisor, Information Security Officer (ISO), Facility Chief Information Officer (CIO), or local Office of Information and Technology (OI&T) representative to ensure that all actions are consistent with current VA policies and procedures prior to implementation.
Section 508 Information:	This technology has been assessed by the Section 508 Office and found non-conformant. The Implementer of this technology has the responsibility to ensure the version deployed is 508-compliant. Section 508 compliance may be reviewed by the Section 508 Office and appropriate remedial action required if necessary. For additional information or assistance regarding Section 508, please contact the Section 508 Office at Section508@va.gov. Please see reference tab for more information concerning product versions.
Decision:	View Decisions

Decision Source:	TRM Mgmt Group
Decision Process:	One-VA TRM v24.6
Decision Date:	06/18/2024 at 16:24:55 UTC
Introduced By:	TRM Request
Vendor Name:	Muthen & Muthen

Vendor Release Information

The Vendor Release table provides the known releases for the TRM Technology, obtained from the vendor (or from the release source).

Version	Release Date	Vendor End of Life Date
7.0	09/27/2012
7.1	05/01/2013
7.2	05/10/2014
7.3	10/01/2014
7.4	11/01/2015
8.0	04/01/2017
8.1	06/05/2018
8.2	11/01/2018
8.3	04/30/2019
8.4	11/19/2019
8.5	11/16/2020
8.6	03/22/2021	11/01/2021
8.7	11/01/2021
8.8	04/26/2022
8.9	02/28/2023
8.10	06/15/2023
8.11	05/03/2024

Current Decision Matrix (06/06/2024)

Users must ensure their use of this technology/standard is consistent with VA policies and standards, including, but not limited to, VA Handbooks 6102 and 6500; VA Directives 6004, 6513, and 6517; and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards, including Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). Users must ensure sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. Prior to use of this technology, users should check with their supervisor, Information Security Officer (ISO), Facility Chief Information Officer (CIO), or local Office of Information and Technology (OI&T) representative to ensure that all actions are consistent with current VA policies and procedures prior to implementation.

The VA Decision Matrix displays the current and future VA IT position regarding different releases of a TRM entry. These decisions are based upon the best information available as of the most current date. The consumer of this information has the responsibility to consult the organizations responsible for the desktop, testing, and/or production environments to ensure that the target version of the technology will be supported. Any major.minor version that is not listed in the VA Decision Matrix is considered unapproved for use.

Legend:

White	Approved: The technology/standard has been approved for use.
Yellow	Approved w/Constraints: The technology/standard can be used within the specified constraints located below the decision matrix in the footnote[1] and on the General tab.
Gray	Unapproved: This technology or standard can be used only if a POA&M review is conducted and signed by the Authorizing Official Designated Representative (AODR) as designated by the Authorizing Official (AO) or designee and based upon a recommendation from the POA&M Compliance Enforcement, has been granted to the project team or organization that wishes to use the technology.
Orange	Divest: 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.
Black	Prohibited: The technology/standard is not (currently) permitted to be used under any circumstances.
Blue	Planning/Evaluation Constraint:The period of time 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. If a customer would like to use this technology, please work with your local or Regional OI&T office and contact the appropriate evaluation office displayed in the notes below the decision matrix. The Local or Regional OI&T office should submit an inquiry to the TRM if they require further assistance or if the evaluating office is not listed in the notes below.

Release/Version Information:

VA decisions for specific versions may include a ‘.x’ wildcard, which denotes a decision that pertains to a range of multiple versions.

For example, a technology approved with a decision for 7.x would cover any version of 7.(Anything) - 7.(Anything). However, a 7.4.x decision would cover any version of 7.4.(Anything), but would not cover any version of 7.5.x or 7.6.x on the TRM.

VA decisions for specific versions may include ‘+’ symbols; which denotes that the decision for the version specified also includes versions greater than what is specified but is not to exceed or affect previous decimal places.

For example, a technology approved with a decision for 12.6.4+ would cover any version that is greater than 12.6.4, but would not exceed the .6 decimal ie: 12.6.401 is ok, 12.6.5 is ok, 12.6.9 is ok, however 12.7.0 or 13.0 is not.

<Past

CY2022

CY2023

CY2024

Future>

Release

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

7.0

Unapproved

7.1

Unapproved

7.2

Unapproved

7.3

Unapproved

7.4

Unapproved

8.0

Unapproved

8.1

Unapproved

8.2

Unapproved

8.3

Unapproved

8.4

Divest
[4, 5, 6]

Unapproved

8.5

Divest
[4, 5, 6]

Unapproved

8.6

Divest
[4, 5, 6]

Divest
[4, 7, 8]

Unapproved

8.7

Approved w/Constraints
[4, 5, 6]

Divest
[4, 5, 6]

Divest
[4, 7, 8]

Divest
[4, 7, 8, 9]

Unapproved

8.8

Unapproved

Approved w/Constraints
[4, 5, 6]

Approved w/Constraints
[4, 7, 8]

Divest
[4, 7, 8, 9]

Divest
[8, 9, 10, 11, 12]

Unapproved

8.9

Unapproved

Approved w/Constraints
[4, 7, 8, 9]

Divest
[8, 9, 10, 11, 12]

8.10

Unapproved

Approved w/Constraints
[8, 9, 10, 11, 12]

Divest
[8, 9, 10, 11, 12]

8.11

Unapproved

Approved w/Constraints
[8, 9, 10, 11, 12]

Decision Constraints


[1]	Projects using this technology must meet Veterans Affairs (VA) Directive 6500 and implement Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS 199) for all laptop devices and National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53 for all desktop devices when VA sensitive information is involved, or additional mitigating controls must be documented in an approved System Security Plan (SSP) to prevent potential disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Personal Health Information (PHI) data. Additionally, projects which interface with external VA partner must have a Memorandum of Understanding and Interconnection Security Agreements (MOU/ISA).

[2]	Veterans Affairs (VA) users must ensure VA sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. All instances of deployment using this technology should be reviewed by the local ISO (Information Security Officer) to ensure compliance with VA Handbook 6500.

[3]	Veterans Affairs (VA) users must ensure VA sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. All instances of deployment using this technology should be reviewed by the local ISO (Information Security Officer) to ensure compliance with VA Handbook 6500.

[4]	If free trialware is utilized, the software must be purchased or removed at the end of the trial period.

[5]	Veterans Affairs (VA) users must ensure VA sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. All instances of deployment using this technology should be reviewed by the local ISO (Information Security Officer) to ensure compliance with VA Handbook 6500.

[6]	Users should check with their supervisor, Information Security Office (ISO) or local OIT representative for permission to download and use this software. Downloaded software must always be scanned for viruses prior to installation to prevent adware or malware. Freeware may only be downloaded directly from the primary site that the creator of the software has advertised for public download and user or development community engagement. Users should note, any attempt by the installation process to install any additional, unrelated software is not approved and the user should take the proper steps to decline those installations.

[7]	Veterans Affairs (VA) users must ensure VA sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. All instances of deployment using this technology should be reviewed by the local ISSO (Information System Security Officer) to ensure compliance with VA Handbook 6500.

[8]	Users should check with their supervisor, Information System Security Officer (ISSO) or local OIT representative for permission to download and use this software. Downloaded software must always be scanned for viruses prior to installation to prevent adware or malware. Freeware may only be downloaded directly from the primary site that the creator of the software has advertised for public download and user or development community engagement. Users should note, any attempt by the installation process to install any additional, unrelated software is not approved and the user should take the proper steps to decline those installations.

[9]	The Federal Information Processing standards (FIPS) 140-2 certification status of this technology was not able to be verified. This technology will require a 3rd party FIPS 140-2 or 140-3 certified solution for any data containing PHI/PII or VA sensitive information, where applicable. More information regarding the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) can be found on the NIST website.

[10]	If free trialware is utilized, the software must be purchased or removed at the end of the trial period. Users must not utilize Bitmap Image File (BMP), as it is a divested technology within the TRM at the time of this writing.

[11]	Veterans Affairs (VA) users must ensure VA sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. All instances of deployment using this technology should be reviewed by the local ISSO (Information System Security Officer) to ensure compliance with both VA Handbook 6500 and VA Directive 6500.

[12]	Due to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) identified security vulnerabilities, extra vigilance should be applied to ensure the versions remain properly patched to mitigate known and future vulnerabilities. The local ISSO (Information System Security Officer) can provide assistance in reviewing the NIST vulnerabilities.

Note:

At the time of writing, version 8.11 is the most current version, released 05/03/2024.

References

The following reference(s) are associated with this entry:
Type	Name	Source	Description
*NOTE: Vendor provided information is subject to the accuracy of the manufacturer.

Technology Components

Note: This list may not be complete. No component, listed or unlisted, may be used outside of the technology in which it is released. The usage decision for a component is found in the Decision and Decision Constraints.
Name	Description
Graphics Module	The graphics module provides graphical displays of observed data and analysis results.
Mplus Base Program	The Mplus Base Program estimates regression, path analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA), structural equation modeling (SEM), growth, and discrete- and continuous-time survival analysis models.
Mplus Base Program and Combination Add-On	The Mplus Base Program and Combination Add-On contains all of the features of the Mplus Base Program and the Mixture and Multilevel Add-Ons. In addition, it includes models that handle both clustered data and latent classes in the same model, for example, two-level regression mixture analysis, two-level mixture confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), and two-level latent class analysis, multilevel growth mixture modeling, and two-level discrete- and continuous-time survival mixture analysis.
Mplus Base Program and Mixture Add-On	The Mplus Base Program and Mixture Add-On contains all of the features of the Mplus Base Program. In addition, it estimates regression mixture models, path analysis mixture models, latent class analysis, latent class analysis with multiple categorical latent variables, log linear models, finite mixture models, Compiler Average Causal Effect (CACE) models, latent class growth analysis, latent transition analysis, hidden Markov models, and discrete- and continuous-time survival mixture analysis.
Mplus Base Program and Multilevel Add-On	The Mplus Base Program and Multilevel Add-On contains all of the features of the Mplus Base Program. In addition, it estimates models for clustered data using multilevel models. These models include multilevel regression analysis, multilevel path analysis, multilevel factor analysis, multilevel structural equation modeling, multilevel growth modeling, and multilevel discrete- and continuous-time survival models.

VA Categories View the VA Categorization Framework

Domain Area	Category	Customer Guidance	Category Locked By ELT Date
Information Management Technologies Business Intelligence and Data Warehouse Platforms	Data Analytics (Statistical Analysis, Prediction, and Modeling)

Operating Systems Supported by the Technology

macOS - Approved w/Constraints
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) - Approved w/Constraints
Windows Client - Approved w/Constraints

Technologies/Standards Relationships

Runtime Dependencies:

No runtime dependencies have been identified.

Comparable Technologies:

Companion Technologies/Supported Standards:

General Analysis

Adoption Benefits

The graphical displays can be edited and exported as a Device Independent Bitmap (DIB), Enhanced Metafile (EMF), or Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) file. In addition, the data for each graphical displace can be saved in an external file for use by another graphics program.
This technology has a comprehensive set of documentation.
This technology may improve productivity for specific staff whose responsibilities include analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal data.

Adoption Risks

There are other approved solutions that provide similar functionality available on the TRM. The use of several similar solutions may increase organization requirements for support and maintenance.
The potential exists to store Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI) and/or VA Sensitive data and proper security standards must be followed in these cases.
This technology has a free trial period, which carries the potential for the disruption of service delivery and inaccurate financial planning.
There is no indication based on either the vendor documentation or the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) that this technology is Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 compliant.
The technology requires the purchase of licenses from vendor, which could potentially lead to vendor lock-in.
There are known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) associated with this technology. Please see <a href = "https://nvd.NIST.gov/vuln/search" target="_blank">https://nvd.NIST.gov/vuln/search</a> for more details.
Bitmap Image File (BMP), an optional dependency of this technology, is in a divested state at the time of writing.

Architectural Benefits

This technology is portable as it runs on multiple TRM-approved operating systems.

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VA Technical Reference Model v 24.7

General Information

Vendor Release Information

Current Decision Matrix (06/06/2024)

Decision Constraints

References

Technology Components

VA Categories View the VA Categorization Framework

Operating Systems Supported by the Technology

Technologies/Standards Relationships

Runtime Dependencies:

Comparable Technologies:

Companion Technologies/Supported Standards:

General Analysis

Adoption Benefits

Adoption Risks

Architectural Benefits

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VA Technical Reference Model v 24.7

General Information

Vendor Release Information

Current Decision Matrix (06/06/2024)

Decision Constraints

References

Technology Components

VA Categories View the VA Categorization Framework

Operating Systems Supported by the Technology

Technologies/Standards Relationships

Runtime Dependencies:

Comparable Technologies:

Companion Technologies/Supported Standards:

General Analysis

Adoption Benefits

Adoption Risks

Architectural Benefits

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