U.S. VA: $5.1M for AI (Reflex AI) for the Veterans Crisis Line — a federal contract via ThunderCat Technology (USAspending)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) procured a brand-name AI, "Reflex AI," for the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), including technical and functional support. Recipient: ThunderCat Technology, LLC; value $5.1M ($5,100,000). An example of AI used in a non-defense, life-relevant public service.
Contract key facts
- RecipientTHUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC
- Contract value$5,100,000 (≈$5.1M)
- Awarding agencyDepartment of Veterans Affairs
- Awarding sub-agencyDepartment of Veterans Affairs
- Award typeDELIVERY ORDER
- Period of performance2024-12-16 〜 2025-12-15
- Contract ID (PIID)36C10B25F0039
Contract scope (original)
PROCUREMENT OF BRAND NAME REFLEX ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) FOR THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE (VCL) TO INCLUDE TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL SUPPORT.
Key points
- The VA procures a brand-name AI ("Reflex AI") for the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL)
- Includes technical and functional support; delivery order via ThunderCat Technology
- Value $5.1M ($5,100,000); December 2024 – December 2025
- An example of AI introduced into a life-relevant public service (non-defense)
- The 222 federal spending records this site holds as of 2026-09-01 form 198 recipient-and-office pairs, of which 20 repeat.
1The Veterans Crisis Line as the setting
The Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) is a hotline that veterans and their families can contact in a crisis. This contract procures a specific brand-name AI product (Reflex AI) with technical and functional support.
2What the scope actually states
The scope states only the procurement and support; it does not describe exactly which processes the AI is used for, so we do not assert them. It is an example of AI being introduced into a public service that directly affects people's lives.
3Twenty pairings repeat
Counting the 222 federal spending records this site holds as of 2026-09-01 as pairings of recipient and awarding office gives 198 pairs, of which 20 carry more than one record.
Nine in ten are one-off relationships. The 20 that repeat are cases of one office awarding the same firm again, behind which sit continuing development or a move into maintenance. Contracts that look isolated in a list show the shape of a continuing relationship once counted as pairs.
Why it matters
A real example of AI introduced into a non-defense, life-relevant public service (veterans support). For readers in govtech, public-facing AI, and adjacent healthcare areas, a useful read on U.S. government demand areas.
FAQ
What is the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL)?
What exactly is the AI used for?
Sources (primary)
This article is an independent organization based on the U.S. official spending data below. Verify the exact, latest details with the official source.
- USAspending (award details)
- Contract ID (PIID)：36C10B25F0039