[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4601 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4601

To improve the management and performance of the capital asset programs 
 of the Department of Veterans Affairs so as to better serve veterans, 
   their families, caregivers, and survivors, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 25, 2022

  Mr. Tester introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To improve the management and performance of the capital asset programs 
 of the Department of Veterans Affairs so as to better serve veterans, 
   their families, caregivers, and survivors, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Build, Utilize, 
Invest, Learn, and Deliver for Veterans Act of 2022'' or the ``BUILD 
for Veterans Act of 2022''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
                   TITLE I--CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

Sec. 101. Establishment of offices of capital asset personnel at 
                            medical centers of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 102. Development of performance metrics of capital asset 
                            management by Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs and monitoring for improvement.
Sec. 103. Expansion of membership of the Capital Asset Planning 
                            Committee.
                           TITLE II--REPORTS

Sec. 201. Review of climate resilience of facilities, land, and other 
                            relevant capital assets of the Department 
                            of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 202. Reports on capital asset planning, management, budgeting, 
                            staffing, and performance of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 203. Annual report on completion of disposal and reuse 
                            requirements of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 204. Report on improvements to medical staffing for new medical 
                            facilities of the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 205. Report on improvements to alignment of information technology 
                            funding and activation of medical and other 
                            space of the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 206. Bimonthly report on key capital asset investments, 
                            activities, and performance of the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 207. Reports on projected need for funding for infrastructure and 
                            capital assets of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 208. Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            reports on Department infrastructure 
                            projects.
Sec. 209. Comptroller General report on capital asset program 
                            management and execution by Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 210. Reports on dental and long-term care physical infrastructure 
                            needs of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 211. Report on feasibility and advisability of using a dedicated 
                            budget account for maintenance of capital 
                            assets of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 212. Report on women veterans retrofit initiative.
Sec. 213. Report on physical infrastructure needs of the research and 
                            development facilities of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 214. Review and report on provisions of law relating to Department 
                            of Veterans Affairs construction and 
                            facilities management.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives.
            (2) Capital asset.--The term ``capital asset'' means the 
        physical infrastructure, land, buildings, and other related 
        items under the operation and control of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs, including the information technology and 
        other support systems needed to ensure the physical space can 
        be used to deliver intended services and functions of the 
        Department.

                   TITLE I--CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICES OF CAPITAL ASSET PERSONNEL AT 
              MEDICAL CENTERS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Offices of Capital Asset Personnel.--
            (1) In general.--By not later than 18 months after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall ensure that each medical center of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs has a dedicated office and sufficient staff to 
        conduct--
                    (A) facility planning;
                    (B) long-range capital planning;
                    (C) management of projects and capital assets 
                relating to the execution of major construction 
                projects, minor construction projects, major leases, 
                minor leases, non-recurring maintenance, and related 
                matters at the medical center and facilities of the 
                Department in the catchment area surrounding the 
                medical center;
                    (D) engineering, including matters relating to 
                seismic repairs and projects;
                    (E) maintenance and repair of existing 
                infrastructure;
                    (F) the collection of views of veterans and 
                employees of the Department to understand the capital 
                assets needs of the Department; and
                    (G) other relevant functions relating to capital 
                assets of the Department as determined by the 
                Secretary.
            (2) Tasks.--To the greatest extent possible, the Secretary 
        shall ensure that each of the requirements under paragraph (1) 
        are held by a different individual or group of individuals so 
        as not to overburden a small number of individuals with such 
        requirements.
            (3) Lead official.--The Secretary shall designate one 
        individual as the lead senior official responsible for 
        integration and coordination of, and accountability for, the 
        functions described in subparagraph (A) through (F) of 
        paragraph (1).
            (4) Staffing model.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall maintain a 
                staffing model for the offices under paragraph (1) that 
                ensures a minimum base level of capital asset staffing.
                    (B) Update.--The Secretary shall update the 
                staffing model under subparagraph (A) regularly to 
                ensure it is effective in achieving the goals of this 
                section.
            (5) Treatment of states and territories without a medical 
        center.--In the case of a State or territory of the United 
        States in which the Department does not operate a full-service 
        medical center, the office required under paragraph (1) shall 
        be located at the largest medical facility of the Department in 
        that State or territory, and any reference in this section to a 
        medical center shall be deemed to be a reference to that 
        medical facility.
    (b) Qualifications.--The Secretary shall establish appropriate 
professional certifications, educational background, and other 
qualifications to be required of individuals employed at a position in 
an office described in subsection (a) to manage the duties of such 
position under this section.
    (c) Duties.--
            (1) In general.--The duties of an office described in 
        subsection (a) for a medical center of the Department shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The development, monitoring, and implementation 
                of capital asset objectives for the catchment area 
                surrounding the medical center, including community-
                based outpatient clinics and other sites of care of the 
                Department in that area.
                    (B) The coordination of capital asset management 
                and planning with counterparts at other medical centers 
                of the Department in the region and facility planners 
                for the Veterans Integrated Service Network or Networks 
                in the region.
                    (C) Effective delivery of capital asset projects.
                    (D) Maintenance and repair of existing 
                infrastructure.
                    (E) Constantly monitoring the needs of veterans and 
                employees of the Department as it relates to medical 
                space and services at the medical center and facilities 
                in the catchment area surrounding the medical center to 
                forward plan and identify and submit plans, through 
                processes of the Department, to meet those needs, 
                including by formulating local and regional capital 
                improvement and asset management plans for medical 
                facilities of the Department through the regular 
                collection of--
                            (i) views and expectations of veterans in 
                        that area who are eligible users of health care 
                        and related services provided by the Department 
                        with respect to--
                                    (I) preferences and needs of those 
                                veterans for the care received from 
                                medical facilities of the Department in 
                                that area; and
                                    (II) the need for improvements and 
                                enhancements to infrastructure of the 
                                Department; and
                            (ii) views of relevant medical staff of the 
                        Department at the medical center and facilities 
                        in that catchment area regarding their 
                        preferences and needs for how to deliver health 
                        care to veterans and how those preferences 
                        impact the infrastructure needs of the 
                        Department.
                    (F) Having an understanding of the capital asset 
                policies, procedures, and directives of the Department, 
                including those issued by the central office of the 
                Department, Veterans Integrated Service Networks, the 
                Veterans Health Administration, the Office of 
                Information and Technology, the Office of Management, 
                the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, 
                the Office of General Counsel, or any successor 
                offices, and any other office of the Department with 
                significant responsibility over capital asset 
                management and planning.
                    (G) Implementing locally those policies, 
                procedures, and directives.
                    (H) Providing feedback regarding ways in which 
                those policies, procedures and directives can be 
                improved.
                    (I) Having an understanding of the importance for 
                collaboration and coordination among all relevant 
                offices of the Department, including the Office of 
                Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, the Office of 
                Asset Enterprise Management, the Office of Information 
                and Technology, and other internal stakeholders as 
                required to achieve success in all phases of capital 
                asset management.
            (2) Collection of views and expectations.--
                    (A) In general.--Views and expectations may be 
                collected under paragraph (1)(E) through multiple 
                channels and the process used for such collection shall 
                ensure that the views and expectations collected 
                provide a representative sample of the population from 
                which such views and expectations are collected.
                    (B) Confidentiality.--Any information collected 
                under paragraph (1)(E) shall be collected in a manner 
                that provides an option for submission of views that 
                are anonymous and confidential.
                    (C) Inclusion of diverse viewpoints.--In collecting 
                views and expectations of veterans and medical staff 
                under paragraph (1)(E), an office described in 
                subsection (a) for a medical center of the Department 
                shall ensure that the viewpoints of a diverse 
                population of veterans being served by the medical 
                center and medical staff of the medical center or in 
                the catchment area of the medical center are captured.
    (d) Development of Standard Process To Solicit Views on 
Effectiveness.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a standardized 
        process to regularly solicit feedback from individuals and 
        entities described in paragraph (2) regarding the effectiveness 
        of and ways to improve--
                    (A) the infrastructure and asset management 
                investment processes and procedures of the central 
                office of the Department and Veterans Integrated 
                Service Networks of the Department; and
                    (B) the guidance of the central office and Veterans 
                Integrated Service Networks regarding such processes 
                and procedures to the medical centers, facilities in 
                the catchment area of those medical centers, and 
                Veterans Integrated Service Networks, as appropriate.
            (2) Individuals and entities described.--The individuals 
        and entities described in this paragraph are the following:
                    (A) Each office described in subsection (a) for a 
                medical center of the Department.
                    (B) Medical staff of the Department at facilities 
                in the catchment area of the medical center.
                    (C) Veterans Integrated Service Networks.
                    (D) Staff of offices within the central office of 
                the Department, including the Office of Acquisition, 
                Logistics, and Construction, the Office of Asset 
                Enterprise Management, the Office of Information and 
                Technology, and the Office of Healthcare Environment 
                and Facilities Programs.
            (3) Confidentiality.--Any information collected under 
        paragraph (1) shall be collected in a manner that provides an 
        option for submission of views that are anonymous and 
        confidential.
    (e) Use of Report Findings.--The Secretary shall use the results of 
the report required under section 202 in establishing the offices 
required under subsection (a) and carrying out any other requirements 
of this section.

SEC. 102. DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE METRICS OF CAPITAL ASSET 
              MANAGEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND 
              MONITORING FOR IMPROVEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--
            (1) develop meaningful and measurable goals and metrics--
                    (A) to assess the performance of the capital asset 
                management programs of the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs to allow the Secretary to make sound decisions 
                regarding construction, leasing, acquisition, 
                maintenance, and disposal of capital assets; and
                    (B) that are in alignment with Department strategic 
                plans, budgets, and mission to serve veterans, their 
                families, and caregivers;
            (2) develop an internal dashboard or other tool to monitor 
        progress towards meeting those goals;
            (3) establish and implement internal governance processes 
        to direct necessary improvements to strengthen performance and 
        achievement of those goals; and
            (4) submit to appropriate committees of Congress a report 
        on the development of those goals and metrics in paragraph (1) 
        and the implementation of the internal dashboard or other tool 
        under paragraph (2) and the internal governance process under 
        paragraph (3).
    (b) Internal Dashboard.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
internal dashboard developed under subsection (a)(2) includes 
meaningful and relevant goals with related metrics that--
            (1) would evaluate capital asset management performance of 
        the Department and provide relevant information to guide 
        necessary improvements; and
            (2) are developed consistent with recommendations set forth 
        by the Comptroller General of the United States.
    (c) Consideration of Part Two of Strategic Plan to Improve VA's 
Delivery and Management of Capital Asset.--In developing the internal 
dashboard under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall consider the 
findings in part two of the Strategic Plan to Improve VA's Delivery and 
Management of Capital Asset required under section 202(a)(4).

SEC. 103. EXPANSION OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE CAPITAL ASSET PLANNING 
              COMMITTEE.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, in order to facilitate Federal health infrastructure planning, 
coordination, and investment, the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
and the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall 
modify the membership of the Capital Asset Planning Committee 
established as a subordinate entity of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee established 
under section 320 of title 38, United States Code, to include the 
following:
            (1) Not fewer than one officer or employee of the Indian 
        Health Service.
            (2) Not fewer than one officer or employee of the 
        Department of Health and Human Services who is not an employee 
        of the Indian Health Service.

                           TITLE II--REPORTS

SEC. 201. REVIEW OF CLIMATE RESILIENCE OF FACILITIES, LAND, AND OTHER 
              RELEVANT CAPITAL ASSETS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a 
comprehensive review of the climate resilience of facilities, land, and 
other relevant capital assets under the authority and jurisdiction of 
the Secretary.
    (b) Elements.--
            (1) In general.--The review conducted under subsection (a) 
        shall--
                    (A) provide a comprehensive assessment of existing 
                facilities, land, and other relevant capital assets 
                that may be at risk due to changes in the climate, 
                including potential vulnerabilities related to--
                            (i) proximity to a body of water;
                            (ii) proximity to an area prone to 
                        flooding;
                            (iii) proximity to an area prone to wild 
                        fire;
                            (iv) proximity to an area prone to 
                        tornadoes, hurricanes, or other storms; and
                            (v) such other matters as the Secretary 
                        considers appropriate after consulting with the 
                        United States Global Change Research Program on 
                        the best available observations and forward-
                        looking climate projections by region, 
                        including sea level rise data;
                    (B) include a description of strategies to improve 
                the climate resilience of existing facilities, land, 
                and other relevant capital assets at risk due to 
                changes in the climate, including potential 
                modifications to facility operations and maintenance 
                practices, and the cost of such strategies;
                    (C) include an analysis of the design standards and 
                building codes used by the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs to site, plan, build, lease, renovate, and 
                purchase land, facilities, infrastructure, and other 
                capital assets of the Department and whether those 
                design standards and building codes reflect both 
                observed and forward-looking climate information;
                    (D) include an analysis of the effect of climate 
                change on energy usage, energy sources, and utility 
                systems of the Department and the Department's 
                mitigation strategies;
                    (E) use, in consultation with the United States 
                Global Change Research Program, forward-looking climate 
                information and other projections to anticipate 
                changing environmental conditions during the design 
                life of existing or planned facilities, land, and other 
                capital assets of the Department and make relevant 
                decisions and planning strategies based on this 
                information;
                    (F) after consulting with the United States Global 
                Change Research Program and other relevant Federal and 
                non-Federal entities, include recommendations for best 
                practices, standards, and solutions for future 
                placement, planning, renovation, leasing, purchase, and 
                construction of facilities and land of the Department 
                so as to avoid or mitigate the challenges resulting 
                from placing a facility in an area at risk of being 
                vulnerable to harm from the impacts of changing 
                environmental conditions; and
                    (G) assess how the Department can incorporate 
                climate resilience information into its processes and 
                procedures for capital asset investment decisions.
            (2) Sources of information and projections.--Sources of 
        information and projections used under paragraph (1)(E) may 
        include the Bureau of the Census (for population projections), 
        the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 
        (for land use change projections and climate projections), the 
        United States Geological Survey (for land use change 
        projections), the United States Global Change Research Program 
        and the National Climate Assessment (for climate observations 
        and projections), and such other sources as the Secretary 
        considers reliable in consultation with the United States 
        Global Change Research Program.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing the 
        results of the review conducted under subsection (a) and the 
        actions the Secretary will take in response to the findings of 
        such review.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) Recommendations for legislative and 
                administrative action to mitigate and respond to the 
                findings contained in the review conducted under 
                subsection (a).
                    (B) A description of action to be taken by the 
                Secretary to improve the climate resilience of existing 
                facilities, land, infrastructure and other capital 
                assets under the jurisdiction or control of the 
                Department.
                    (C) A description of changes in policy, directives, 
                and procedures of the Department to mitigate, plan for, 
                and improve resilience of future constructed, leased, 
                or other facilities, land, and other relevant capital 
                assets under the jurisdiction or control of the 
                Department.
                    (D) A description of how the Department will 
                incorporate climate resilience information into its 
                processes and procedures for capital asset investment 
                decisions.
                    (E) A description of changes the Department will 
                make to ensure the facilities, land, and other relevant 
                capital assets of the Department are available to 
                furnish care and services under section 1785 of title 
                38, United States Code, during or following a disaster 
                or emergency.
                    (F) The estimated cost to implement the changes 
                described in the report.
                    (G) The estimate timeline to implement the changes 
                described in the report.
                    (H) Such other matters, recommendations, or 
                requests as the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (3) Updates.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than five years after 
                the date on which the Secretary submits the report 
                under paragraph (1) and not less frequently than once 
                every five years thereafter until the date that is 21 
                years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
                Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
                Congress an update of the report submitted under 
                paragraph (1).
                    (B) Contents.--Each update submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall describe the efforts of the 
                Department since the submittal of the latest report or 
                update, as the case may be, relating to matters covered 
                by the report and such other matters as the Secretary 
                considers appropriate.
    (d) Climate Resilience Defined.--In this section, the term 
``climate resilience'' means--
            (1) anticipating, preparing for, and adapting to changing 
        environmental conditions such as variations in average weather 
        conditions that persist over multiple decades or longer that 
        encompass increases and decreases in temperature, shifts in 
        precipitation, and changing risk of certain types of severe 
        weather events; and
            (2) the ability to withstand, respond to, and recover 
        rapidly from disruptions while ensuring the sustainment of 
        mission-critical operations.

SEC. 202. REPORTS ON CAPITAL ASSET PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, BUDGETING, 
              STAFFING, AND PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) Initial Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
        on the planning, management, budgeting, staffing, and 
        performance by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to 
        capital assets. Such report shall be known as the ``Strategic 
        Plan to Improve VA's Delivery and Management of Capital 
        Assets'' (in this subsection referred to as the ``Report'').
            (2) Structure.--The Report shall consist of not fewer than 
        two parts as set forth in this subsection.
            (3) Part one.--
                    (A) In general.--Part one of the Report shall focus 
                on the human capital needs for the capital asset and 
                related areas workforce of the Department (in this 
                subsection referred to as ``Part One'').
                    (B) Elements.--Part One shall include the 
                following:
                            (i) A description of the steps being taken 
                        by the Department, and the steps that the 
                        Department plans to take during the 10-year 
                        period following the date of the Report, 
                        including a specific timeline, to ensure 
                        sufficient capital asset personnel at the 
                        local, regional, and central office levels of 
                        the Department are available and prepared to--
                                    (I) execute the current level of 
                                capital asset work, including 
                                maintenance, delivery of new 
                                facilities, disposal, and reuse;
                                    (II) handle future capital asset 
                                work described in subclause (I) during 
                                such 10-year period; and
                                    (III) perform any other capital 
                                asset activities as identified by the 
                                Secretary.
                            (ii) A plan that addresses the needed 
                        capital asset workforce of the Department by--
                                    (I) identifying and describing the 
                                staffing needs and status of such 
                                workforce, including--
                                            (aa) the number of 
                                        currently authorized positions;
                                            (bb) the number of filled 
                                        positions of those positions 
                                        authorized;
                                            (cc) the number of unfilled 
                                        positions of those positions 
                                        authorized, including reasons 
                                        why those positions are not 
                                        filled and steps the Department 
                                        is taking to fill those 
                                        positions;
                                            (dd) the number of current 
                                        positions needed above the 
                                        level currently authorized; and
                                            (ee) future needs, 
                                        including expected growth or 
                                        reduction, during the 10-year 
                                        period following the date of 
                                        the Report;
                                    (II) providing the data under 
                                subclause (I) at the Departmental 
                                level, disaggregated by relevant 
                                divisions of the Department and by--
                                            (aa) data for the Veterans 
                                        Health Administration, broken 
                                        out by field, Veterans 
                                        Integrated Service Network, and 
                                        central office, including the 
                                        Office of Healthcare 
                                        Environment and Facilities 
                                        Programs;
                                            (bb) data for the Office of 
                                        Acquisition, Logistics, and 
                                        Construction, broken out by 
                                        field, region, and central 
                                        office;
                                            (cc) data for the National 
                                        Cemetery Administration, broken 
                                        out by field, region, and 
                                        central office;
                                            (dd) data for the Veterans 
                                        Benefits Administration, broken 
                                        out by field, region, and 
                                        central office;
                                            (ee) data for the Office of 
                                        Asset Enterprise Management;
                                            (ff) data for the Office of 
                                        Information and Technology, 
                                        broken out by field, region, 
                                        and central office; and
                                            (gg) data for all other 
                                        offices of the Department not 
                                        covered under items (aa) 
                                        through (ff) that have capital 
                                        asset staff or significant 
                                        capital asset responsibilities 
                                        at the field, regional, or 
                                        central office level; and
                                    (III) including an estimate of the 
                                funding required to accomplish filling 
                                the unfilled and future positions 
                                specified under subclause (I) during 
                                the 10-year period following the date 
                                of the Report.
                            (iii) A description of the efforts taken 
                        and planned to be taken by the Department to 
                        recruit, retain, and develop the existing and 
                        future capital asset workforce of the 
                        Department.
                            (iv) A description of any changes needed to 
                        the qualifications, standards, position 
                        descriptions and other related matters to 
                        ensure the qualification standards of the 
                        workforce--
                                    (I) match the needs of the 
                                Department; and
                                    (II) align where appropriate with 
                                relevant Federal Government and 
                                industry standards and best practices.
                            (v) A description of how the Department 
                        will coordinate the human capital efforts of 
                        the Department across the Veterans Health 
                        Administration, the Office of Acquisition, 
                        Logistics, and Construction, the National 
                        Cemetery Administration, the Veterans Benefits 
                        Administration, the Office of Asset Enterprise 
                        Management, and other entities of the 
                        Department so as to leverage collective 
                        efforts, reduce unnecessary duplication, and 
                        identify opportunities for collaboration and 
                        efficiency.
                            (vi) With respect to a Department-wide 
                        succession plan for leadership and mission-
                        critical occupations in the capital asset 
                        workforce of the Department--
                                    (I) if such a plan is not already 
                                developed, a timeline for the 
                                development of such a plan; and
                                    (II) if such a plan is already 
                                developed, the current implementation 
                                status of such plan.
                            (vii) An assessment of different regional 
                        challenges in rural, suburban, and urban areas 
                        to recruit and retain the necessary capital 
                        asset workforce of the Department and steps to 
                        be taken by the Department in response to such 
                        challenges.
                            (viii) With respect to the report published 
                        by the National Academies of Sciences, 
                        Engineering, and Medicine on December 24, 2019, 
                        entitled ``Facilities Staffing Requirement for 
                        VHA-Resource Planning and Methodology for the 
                        Future''--
                                    (I) a plan and timeline to 
                                implement all recommendations from the 
                                report; and
                                    (II) if the Secretary decides not 
                                to implement a recommendation of the 
                                report, a description of why such 
                                decision was made.
                            (ix) A description of how the Department 
                        will leverage contract support and partnerships 
                        with other Federal agencies, nonprofits, and 
                        other stakeholders to meet the short-, medium-, 
                        and long-term human capital needs for 
                        infrastructure to ensure that the Department 
                        has the experience and workforce needed to 
                        match the current and future projected 
                        infrastructure workload of the Department.
                            (x) A description of any improvements to 
                        training or curriculum of the Department that 
                        are needed to enhance the education of the 
                        capital asset employees of the Department to 
                        ensure they are as proficient as possible in 
                        their jobs.
                            (xi) A description of such legislative or 
                        administrative action as the Secretary 
                        considers necessary.
                            (xii) Such other matters as the Secretary 
                        considers necessary.
                    (C) Staff covered by report.--Part One shall cover 
                all relevant staff required for the entire lifecycle of 
                facilities, land, and other relevant capital assets of 
                the Department, including the following:
                            (i) Individuals who keep facilities clean, 
                        such as janitorial and housekeeping staff and 
                        housekeeping aids.
                            (ii) Individuals who maintain facilities, 
                        such as through repairs and preventative 
                        maintenance.
                            (iii) Groundskeepers.
                            (iv) Planners, engineers, and architects.
                            (v) Project managers.
                            (vi) Individuals with expertise in real 
                        estate, acquisition, leasing, and easements.
                            (vii) Energy or utility experts, including 
                        experts with respect to energy efficiency and 
                        renewable energy.
                            (viii) Individuals who work in--
                                    (I) capital asset management;
                                    (II) healthcare engineering;
                                    (III) environmental management; or
                                    (IV) occupational safety and 
                                health.
                            (ix) Individuals who conduct contracting, 
                        including contracting officers, related to 
                        capital assets locally, regionally, or 
                        nationally for all various types of 
                        construction or infrastructure work, such as 
                        minor construction, major construction, non-
                        recurring maintenance, minor leases, and major 
                        leases.
                            (x) Individuals knowledgeable in relevant 
                        rules and procedures related to property 
                        disposal or transfer, environmental 
                        remediation, historic preservation, and other 
                        similar topics.
                            (xi) Any other position that has a critical 
                        role in the planning, contracting, delivery, 
                        maintenance, upkeep, and disposal of capital 
                        assets.
                            (xii) Any other positions the Secretary 
                        determines relevant.
            (4) Part two.--
                    (A) In general.--Part two of the Report shall cover 
                the methods undertaken by the Department to accomplish 
                changes to improve the planning, execution, and 
                delivery of capital asset projects of the Department, 
                such as maintenance, renovations, land acquisition, or 
                new construction or leasing, including through better 
                planning, project management, cost, and schedule 
                performance (in this subsection referred to as ``Part 
                Two'').
                    (B) Elements.--Part Two shall include the 
                following:
                            (i) A timeline for accomplishing the 
                        changes described in subparagraph (A).
                            (ii) A description of the steps the 
                        Department is taking or will take to shorten 
                        the time it takes from project concept to 
                        completion while controlling costs and budget, 
                        meeting schedule, and achieving established 
                        goals.
                            (iii) A description of what new or modified 
                        contracting or other services, arrangements, 
                        strategies, contract vehicles or mechanisms, 
                        innovations, pilots, and partnerships the 
                        Department is planning to use during the five-
                        year period following the date of the Report, 
                        including--
                                    (I) a timeline of how and when the 
                                Department will test and implement 
                                those approaches; and
                                    (II) a description of any 
                                limitations under current law 
                                (including regulations) that would 
                                prevent or are preventing the 
                                Department from using innovative 
                                contracting vehicles, services, 
                                arrangements, administrative action, or 
                                other agreements and strategies and 
                                what legislative changes are needed to 
                                facilitate use of those approaches, 
                                including a description of whether each 
                                limitation is a limitation for all 
                                Federal agencies or only for the 
                                Department.
                            (iv) A description of the costs incurred or 
                        added to meet Federal or Department standards, 
                        including those for resiliency that are needed 
                        and greater or more stringent than private 
                        industry standards.
                            (v) A description of the steps the 
                        Department has taken or plans to take to 
                        improve capital project delivery by 
                        standardizing facility design, modularizing 
                        facilities components, and taking other steps 
                        to accelerate project delivery while 
                        maintaining flexibility, agility, and quality, 
                        including a timeline for the completion of such 
                        steps.
                            (vi) A description of steps the Department 
                        is taking to make all of its relevant capital 
                        assets energy efficient and climate resilient.
                            (vii) The steps the Secretary will take to 
                        ensure the Office of Information and Technology 
                        and the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and 
                        Construction of the Department, or similar 
                        successor offices, are integrated into all 
                        relevant aspects of the capital asset planning 
                        and implementation process of the Department, 
                        including at the earliest stage of every 
                        capital asset project in the field so as to 
                        improve communication, coordination, and 
                        project scope, cost, and schedule.
                            (viii) A description of any other actions 
                        the Department is taking or will take to 
                        improve its delivery and management of capital 
                        assets.
                            (ix) A description of such legislative or 
                        administrative action as the Secretary 
                        considers necessary to more effectively manage 
                        and deliver needed capital assets of the 
                        Department.
                            (x) Such other matters as the Secretary 
                        considers necessary.
    (b) Subsequent Reports.--Not later than three years after the date 
on which the initial report required by subsection (a) is submitted, 
and once every three years thereafter for a period of six years, the 
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report including--
            (1) a description of any changes with respect to the 
        matters described in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (a) 
        since the previous report was submitted;
            (2) an explanation of plans under the previous report 
        compared to actions taken since that report was submitted; and
            (3) a discussion of the results and performance of the 
        Department since the previous report including in cost savings, 
        faster facility delivery, or reduction in the number of 
        unaddressed priority capital asset improvements.

SEC. 203. ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPLETION OF DISPOSAL AND REUSE 
              REQUIREMENTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Initial Report.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        include with the budget justification materials that are 
        submitted to Congress in support of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs budget for the first fiscal year beginning after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act (as submitted with the budget 
        of the President for such fiscal year under section 1105(a) of 
        title 31, United States Code) a report containing a specific 
        timeline to accomplish the actions required of the Secretary 
        included in the disposal and reuse reports included in the 
        annual budget of the Department of Veterans Affairs submitted 
        by the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United 
        States Code, or similar future reports.
            (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) A description of a specific timeline and plan 
                to sell, reuse, dispose of, demolish, or otherwise 
                manage the property that the Secretary has identified 
                in the reports described in such subsection.
                    (B) A list of any impediments or challenges to 
                carrying out any action described in subparagraph (A), 
                including environmental remediation and preservation 
                mitigation and any assistance need for executive or 
                legislative action to address those impediments or 
                challenges.
                    (C) A discussion of whether disposal and reuse 
                actions do not get completed or initiated because they 
                most compete with urgent direct health care or other 
                more time-sensitive infrastructure needs of the 
                Department.
                    (D) A detailed cost estimate of the funding, 
                including funding type, needed to accomplish all of the 
                actions described in paragraph (1), including the 
                number of fiscal years for which such funding is 
                needed.
                    (E) A discussion of whether the Department would 
                benefit from having a distinct and separate account 
                within the budget of the Department dedicated to the 
                management of the disposal of these assets.
                    (F) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
    (b) Subsequent Reports.--
            (1) In general.--For the first fiscal year after the fiscal 
        year referred to in subsection (a)(1) and each fiscal year 
        thereafter, the Secretary shall include with the budget 
        justification materials that are submitted to Congress in 
        support of the Department budget for that first fiscal (as 
        submitted with the budget of the President for such fiscal year 
        under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code) a report 
        on actions described in such subsection.
            (2) Contents.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) An update to the most recent report under 
                subsection (a) or this subsection, as applicable, with 
                respect to each of subparagraphs (A) through (F) of 
                paragraph (2) of such subsection.
                    (B) Information on how many disposal and reuse 
                actions from the previous year's report were 
                accomplished or not accomplished.
                    (C) Information about what may have inhibited the 
                accomplishment of those actions described in 
                subparagraph (B) that were not accomplished.
                    (D) A description of best practices or lessons 
                learned with respect to actions described in subsection 
                (a)(1).

SEC. 204. REPORT ON IMPROVEMENTS TO MEDICAL STAFFING FOR NEW MEDICAL 
              FACILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on planned actions 
to improve the alignment of staffing of new or expanded medical 
facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall--
            (1) describe the current process for how and when in the 
        construction, leasing, and other relevant capital improvement 
        process staff are hired to fill expanded or new medical space 
        of the Department; and
            (2) assess whether such process requires improvement to 
        ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that new medical space 
        and staffing levels for that space are in complete alignment 
        allowing for full medical staffing at the time of opening of 
        that space, including such legislative or administrative action 
        as the Secretary considers appropriate.

SEC. 205. REPORT ON IMPROVEMENTS TO ALIGNMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
              FUNDING AND ACTIVATION OF MEDICAL AND OTHER SPACE OF THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on any potential 
improvements to the alignment of funding of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs for information technology so as to facilitate more effective 
and efficient activation of medical and other relevant space of the 
Department.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) A description of any current limitations on funding 
        mechanisms, including the timing and sequencing of information 
        technology and health care resources that are needed to 
        purchase, procure, and install information technology equipment 
        and related information technology assets and services needed 
        for the activation of medical and other relevant space of the 
        Department, whether leased, owned, or otherwise under the 
        jurisdiction of the Department.
            (2) Any proposed solutions the Secretary may have to 
        address the limitations described in paragraph (1).
            (3) Any legislative or administrative action required to 
        achieve the solutions described in paragraph (2).
            (4) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.

SEC. 206. BIMONTHLY REPORT ON KEY CAPITAL ASSET INVESTMENTS, 
              ACTIVITIES, AND PERFORMANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than the first March 31 occurring after 
the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once 
every other month thereafter until the eleventh March 31 occurring 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on completed and planned key capital asset investments of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Elements.--
            (1) In general.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) A list of the major construction, minor 
                construction, non-recurring maintenance, major and 
                minor lease projects (including lease renewals, 
                extensions, standstill agreements, and interim leases) 
                and construction or infrastructure management support 
                contracts awarded since the last report submitted under 
                subsection (a) (or in the case of the first report 
                submitted under such subsection, in the last 90 days).
                    (B) For each contract award listed pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A), the following:
                            (i) The contract amount.
                            (ii) A description of the project for which 
                        the contract was awarded.
                            (iii) The location of the project for which 
                        the project was awarded.
                            (iv) An indication of whether the amount of 
                        the contract award, including relevant 
                        increment awards, was more than 10 percent 
                        greater than the estimated cost of the project, 
                        or project increment, or 180 days later than 
                        the planned schedule for the project or project 
                        increment, the reason for such overages and 
                        delays, and actions being taken to address the 
                        overages and delays.
                    (C) A list of major construction, minor 
                construction, non-recurring maintenance, major and 
                minor lease projects (including lease renewals, 
                extensions, standstill agreements, and interim leases) 
                and construction or infrastructure management support 
                contracts the Secretary plans to initiate or award.
                    (D) For each contract award listed pursuant to 
                subparagraph (C), the following:
                            (i) The general month or quarter of 
                        expected award.
                            (ii) Whether the planned action is off- or 
                        on-track as it relates to schedule and cost and 
                        if off-track, an explanation of why and a 
                        description of the corrective actions being 
                        taken.
                    (E) Such observations of best practices, 
                impediments, and accomplishments as the Secretary may 
                find that relate to the capital asset management and 
                performance of the Department, including such needs for 
                legislative or administrative action as the Secretary 
                considers appropriate with respect to such practices, 
                impediments, and accomplishments.
                    (F) Meaningful metrics that show the progress of 
                the Department toward meeting relevant goals of the 
                Department relating to capital asset management.
                    (G) Steps the Department is taking in individual 
                projects that are behind schedule or otherwise 
                underperforming and steps the Department is taking to 
                improve overall capital asset management.
                    (H) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
            (2) Metrics.--Beginning not later than two years after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the metrics described in 
        subsection (b)(1)(F) shall include the metrics developed under 
        section 102(a).
    (c) Matters Relating to Reporting Schedules.--In each report under 
subsection (a), when reporting on schedule for completion, the 
Secretary shall distinguish between the date an award was to occur, the 
date a construction action was to be completed (meaning the space is 
ready for use), and the date veteran patients or other users, including 
employees of the Department, are scheduled to begin using the new 
facility or capital asset.
    (d) Matters Relating to Reporting Costs.--In each report under 
subsection (a), when reporting on costs for capital asset projects of 
the Department, the Secretary may include information regarding Federal 
requirements that may drive cost increases to projects that may not 
exist in the non-Federal construction sector.

SEC. 207. REPORTS ON PROJECTED NEED FOR FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
              CAPITAL ASSETS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Initial Report.--Not later than May 31, 2023, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
a report summarizing the projected amount of funding for infrastructure 
and capital assets that the Department of Veterans Affairs will need 
for the 10 fiscal years that begin immediately following such date.
    (b) Subsequent Reports.--The Secretary shall include in the annual 
budget of the Department submitted by the President under section 
1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, for fiscal year 2025 and each 
fiscal year thereafter a report described in subsection (a) relating to 
the 10 fiscal years that begin immediately following the date on which 
such budget is submitted.
    (c) Elements.--Each report required by this section shall include, 
for each fiscal year covered by the report and for the entire period 
covered by the report, the following:
            (1) The funding needs of the Department disaggregated by 
        funding purpose, including the following:
                    (A) Land acquisition.
                    (B) Operations and maintenance of facilities of the 
                existing capital asset portfolio of the Department to 
                include the minimum level of funding below which 
                facilities could not be appropriately maintained.
                    (C) Operations and maintenance of the planned 
                future capital asset portfolio of the Department.
                    (D) New construction, by type, including major 
                construction, minor construction, and nonrecurring 
                maintenance.
                    (E) Major and minor leasing.
                    (F) Activation of space.
                    (G) Disposal, reuse, and remediation.
                    (H) Staffing to support the planning, delivery, 
                management, and maintenance of the Department's current 
                and future capital asset portfolio.
                    (I) Such other categories as the Secretary deems 
                relevant.
            (2) The funding needs under paragraph (1) disaggregated by 
        component of the Department and type of capital asset 
        investment.
            (3) A description of the cost increases which may or have 
        been incurred because of the delay in adequate funding and 
        forward movement on capital asset projects. Such description 
        may include a discussion of the negative effect of the lack of 
        stable and predictable funding on the ability of the Department 
        to plan, staff, and execute effective capital asset management.
            (4) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate, include matters relating to necessary legislative 
        or administrative action.

SEC. 208. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              REPORTS ON DEPARTMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than three years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and at least twice during the ten-year period 
beginning on the date that is three years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
a report examining the management and performance of relevant capital 
asset projects of the Department that were initiated after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Sample Projects.--The Inspector General shall select meaningful 
and representative samples of categories of projects for review, such 
as major construction, minor construction, nonrecurring maintenance, 
major and minor leases, land acquisition, and disposals.
    (c) Elements.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) may 
include, at the discretion of the Inspector General, the following:
            (1) A comparison of planned versus actual cost, schedule, 
        and scope metrics.
            (2) Improvements or lack thereof to project management at 
        the local, regional, or national levels.
            (3) Observations on key characteristics inhibiting 
        successful delivery of projects or allowing for successful 
        delivery of projects.
            (4) An identification of areas of waste, fraud, and abuse, 
        if any.
            (5) Such other matters as the Inspector General considers 
        appropriate.

SEC. 209. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON CAPITAL ASSET PROGRAM 
              MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTION BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than three years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once every three 
years thereafter until the date that is 12 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
reviewing the progress of the Department of Veterans Affairs toward 
meeting the goals, metrics, and other plans of the Department under 
this Act, including under sections 101, 102, and 202.
    (b) Elements.--Each report required by subsection (a) may include 
the following:
            (1) A review of the performance of the Department related 
        to planning, oversight, management of human capital, 
        contracting, and execution of capital asset projects.
            (2) A review of how the Department is complying with the 
        requirements of this Act.
            (3) Such other topics as the Comptroller General considers 
        appropriate.

SEC. 210. REPORTS ON DENTAL AND LONG-TERM CARE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE 
              NEEDS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress--
            (1) a report, disaggregated by medical center or other 
        relevant health care facility of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, on--
                    (A) the physical infrastructure needed (new 
                facilities, renovations, remodels, leases, etc.) to 
                provide dental services to veterans eligible for such 
                services under the laws administered by the Secretary; 
                and
                    (B) additional physical infrastructure needed to 
                respond to the need for additional capacity to provide 
                dental services if eligibility standards are modified 
                to make a greater number of veterans eligible for such 
                services; and
            (2) a report identifying the physical infrastructure needs 
        of the Department to support current and future anticipated 
        long-term care needs and models of care for veterans, 
        including--
                    (A) infrastructure needed to support the delivery 
                of long-term care for women veterans, veterans with 
                traumatic brain injury, veterans with memory loss, and 
                other population groups with unique needs; and
                    (B) information regarding the plans of the 
                Department to provide such care as it is building 
                capacity but space is not yet available to meet the 
                demand for such care.

SEC. 211. REPORT ON FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY OF USING A DEDICATED 
              BUDGET ACCOUNT FOR MAINTENANCE OF CAPITAL ASSETS OF 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the feasibility 
and advisability of having a dedicated budget account from which the 
Department of Veterans Affairs would draw funds to pay for maintenance, 
preventative maintenance, and repair of the capital assets of the 
Department.
    (b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) The best practices in the Federal Government and 
        private industry relating to planning and budgeting for capital 
        asset maintenance.
            (2) Relevant formulas and percentages that organizations 
        use to set aside resources in advance to pay for needed and 
        expected maintenance costs based on the size, need, and other 
        requirements of the organization.

SEC. 212. REPORT ON WOMEN VETERANS RETROFIT INITIATIVE.

    Section 5102 of the Deborah Sampson Act of 2020 (title V of Public 
Law 116-315; 38 U.S.C. 8110 note) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
        subsection (c):
    ``(c) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of the Build, Utilize, Invest, Learn, and Deliver for 
Veterans Act of 2022, and annually thereafter for 10 years, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
of the Senate, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report containing--
            ``(1) an identification of the funding provided to the 
        Department for retrofitting prioritized under subsection (a) 
        for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which the 
        report is submitted;
            ``(2) a list of projects conducted with such funding, 
        including--
                    ``(A) amounts obligated for each such project;
                    ``(B) the locations of each such project;
                    ``(C) a short description of each such project; and
                    ``(D) the status of each such project; and
            ``(3) a list of projects for retrofitting prioritized under 
        subsection (a) that remain unfunded and the estimated funding 
        required for those projects to be completed, on a project by 
        project basis.''.

SEC. 213. REPORT ON PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF THE RESEARCH AND 
              DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to Congress a report on the physical infrastructure needs of the 
research and development facilities of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
    (b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) Recommendations for new facilities, renovations of 
        existing facilities, leasing of facilities and any other such 
        facilities the Department is in need of or currently uses to 
        perform its research and development function.
            (2) Detailed information on the information technology 
        resources the Department requires in order to make the research 
        and development facilities of the Department functional and 
        high performing in the short, medium, and long term, and those 
        needed to enable employees of the Department to perform their 
        research and development in an effective and efficient manner.
    (c) Considerations.--In preparing the report required by subsection 
(a), the Secretary may consider the following:
            (1) The findings of the 2012 final report of the Research 
        Infrastructure Program of the Department.
            (2) Current and updated data providing the most accurate 
        and holistic presentation of the physical infrastructure needs 
        of the research and development program of the Department, 
        including with respect to information technology.

SEC. 214. REVIEW AND REPORT ON PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO DEPARTMENT 
              OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES 
              MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Review.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall review section 
312A of title 38, United States Code, and determine whether the 
provisions of such section, including the qualifications and 
responsibilities of the Director of Construction and Facilities 
Management set forth in subsections (b) an (c) of such section, 
respectively, are meaningful, relevant, and reflect the current 
operational needs, organization structure, and all other requirements 
for the effective and efficient management of construction and 
facilities management.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
regarding whether provisions of section 312A of title 38, United States 
Code, or other provisions of such title relating to construction and 
facilities management should be revised to align more closely with 
current and future operational needs of the Department.
    (c) Contents.--The report required by subsection (b) shall include 
the following:
            (1) An assessment of whether other offices, 
        administrations, or entities of the Department should be 
        directed to take over certain functions currently assigned to 
        Director of Construction and Facilities Management pursuant to 
        statute so as to match operational realties and needs, improve 
        efficiencies, streamline management and lines of authority and 
        responsibility, or other reasons that would be beneficial to 
        the capital asset management and planning and delivery of the 
        Department.
            (2) An assessment of whether functions of other entities of 
        the Department should be assumed by the Director of 
        Construction and Facilities management to match operational 
        realities and needs, improve efficiencies, streamline 
        management and lines of authority and responsibility, or other 
        reasons that would be beneficial to the capital asset 
        management and planning and delivery of the Department.
            (3) Identification of whether any new offices, structures, 
        or reporting structures should be created or modified in the 
        Department to improve operational effectiveness for capital 
        asset management.
            (4) Specific reasons for the changes that are recommend in 
        the report or if no changes are necessary, a justification for 
        not making any changes.
            (5) Identification of such legislative or administrative 
        action as the Secretary determines necessary to implement the 
        changes necessary to improve capital asset management at the 
        Department.
                                 <all>