The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched the beta version of Lighthouse Lab, a platform that provides third-party software developers with access to tools to create care management applications, the agency announced March 7.
Lighthouse Lab uses Lighthouse, the VA's application programming interface management platform, to connect developers with relevant data stores at the agency. With this information, VA officials hope developers will create mobile and web applications to support veterans in managing their care and benefits information.
Lighthouse Lab will support the agency's effort to adopt commercial off-the-shelf products, rather than developing its own internal solutions, VA Secretary David Shulkin, MD, said in a March 7 statement. The VA recently released three micro-purchasing request for proposals on the Lighthouse Github repository, and plans to award contracts by the end of March.
The agency plans to issue its next Lighthouse RFP in spring 2018.
"Lighthouse represents VA's commitment to providing a digital experience in line with what veterans are getting from the private sector by rapidly bringing cutting-edge solutions into VA that can help us accommodate our veterans' unique needs," Dr. Shulkin said.