CLEAR Pilot Briefing Zack Schwartz Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Office of Information and Technology VSO Communicators October 6, 2026 What We Are Doing Two connected capabilities being piloted together across six sites, giving
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Presentation Transcript
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CLEAR Pilot Briefing Zack Schwartz Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Office of Information and Technology VSO Communicators October 6, 2026<br>
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What We Are Doing Two connected capabilities being piloted together across six sites, giving Veterans easier, faster, higher-assurance access to VA.gov 1. In-Person: CLEAR Kiosks + Ambassadors
CLEAR kiosks installed at six VAMC locations
On-site CLEAR Ambassadors provide live, in-person assistance during enrollment
Designed for Veterans who prefer hands-on help completing identity verification 2. On VA.gov: Passwordless Sign-in
CLEAR added as an authentication option on VA.gov
Veterans can also create a CLEAR account directly on VA.gov; no in-person visit is required
Lets verified Veterans sign in using biometrics instead of a username and password
Login.gov and ID.me remain fully available 2 Two paths, one outcome: Veterans can verify in person at a kiosk Ambassador support, or self-enroll on VA.gov. Either way, they end up with a verified biometric identity for faster, simpler sign-in going forward. Pilot runs from 7 October – 31 December 2026 across six VAMCs plus VA Central Office
Veteran identity and biometric data remain VA property at all times.
Participation is voluntary and free; fallback to Login.gov and ID.me is always available.<br>
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What This is...and Isn’t We ARE Testing Optional digital verification and VA.gov account linking
On-site enrollment at six VAMCs
First-time success rate, support ticket reduction
Access via VA-issued iPads and Veterans’ own smartphones We Are NOT Replacing Login.gov or ID.me
Making enrollment mandatory for care or benefits
Transferring ownership of identity or biometric data
Delivering clinical care or collecting extra PHI 3 Remote proofing and multi-factor authentication still block Veterans lacking devices, broadband, or digital comfort.<br>
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Pilot Sites – Leadership Points of Contact VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, Brookyln Campus
Director: Timothy Graham
Area Mgr: Oscar Mei Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center
Director: Vamsee Potluri
Area Mgr: Russ Daniels VA Palo alto Health Care System (Palo Alto Division)
Director: Jean J. Gurga
Area Mgr: Andre Abella 4 Atlanta VA Medical Center
Director: Kai Mentzer
Area Mgr: William Brock Orlando VA Medical Center (Lake Nona)
Director: Timothy Cooke
Area Mgr: Jay Boane San Juan VA Medical Center (VA Caribbean HCS)
Director: Antonio Sánchez
Area Mgr: Marcial Delgado<br>
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Timeline & Phases 5 Planning – Through late September: Complete Privacy Impact Assessment, address security and Authority to Operate requirements, confirm site leads, finalize space requirements, develop scripts, plan and deliver training, and establish baseline metrics.
Site Readiness & Soft Launch – Install kiosks, conduct dry runs, deploy signage, coordinate VSO and Hill outreach, validate readiness, make go/no-go decision.
Live Operations – 7 Oct—31 Dec 2026: Operate at six sites plus VA Central Office, provide on-site Ambassador support, monitor performance, track Veteran feedback and metrics, ensure ongoing security and compliance.
Evaluation & Closeout – Conduct after-action review, analyze results against baseline, deliver assessment report, provide recommendation to scale, integrate, or terminate.<br>
