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NASPO Pulse

National Association of State Procurement Officials

Welcome to the NASPO Pulse Podcast, your source for exploring emerging public procurement issues. Join us as we engage in insightful conversations with procurement professionals, partners, and industry leaders.

Discover a diverse range of perspectives and opinions on various topics that are shaping the procurement landscape. Whether you're a state procurement official or interested in the field, this podcast provides essential insights to keep you informed. Tune in for the conversations that matter in the realm of procurement.

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20 episodes
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Avg 29 min
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S7 · E11
September 14 · 21 min
AI as Your Procurement Teammate: Jennifer Lyons (MA) on Human-AI Collaborations
AI is showing up in procurement workflows whether we invite it or not, so we wanted a grounded conversation about what actually works and what can backfire. I’m joined by Jennifer Lyons, Deputy General Counsel at the Operational Services Division for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to talk practical AI in public procurement with real examples from the field, not theory. We dig into where AI delivers immediate value, like speeding up repeatable administrative tasks, summarizing complex RFP and RFR documents, and generating better options during policy development. We also talk about how suppliers are using AI to quickly decide whether to respond to a solicitation, and what that means for clarity and competition. We explore how AI can help maintain continuity across supplier issues, surface patterns in supplier performance, and support risk awareness. Jennifer also explains why Massachusetts built tools inside secure environments, including a procurement chatbot used for onboarding and help desk support, plus a contract editor nicknamed 1L that accelerates first-pass redlining. Throughout, we keep coming back to the non-negotiables: transparency, fairness, bias awareness, and the reality that humans remain accountable for accuracy and final decisions. If you’re building an AI policy, planning a pilot, or trying to choose your first “quick win,” this conversation will help you separate safe productivity gains from high-risk automation. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S7 · E10
August 11 · 35 min
Bigger Than Texas: Leading Procurement at Scale
What does it take to manage procurement for one of the largest and most decentralized governments in the country? Texas Chief Procurement Officer Bobby Pounds shares how the state balances consistency with agency autonomy, strengthens supplier participation, and uses vendor performance data to improve procurement outcomes. Along the way, he offers practical leadership lessons—including why procurement leaders should be "coaches, not cops." Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S7 · E9
July 13 · 30 min
How Nebraska Makes Procurement Work Without an E-Procurement System
In this episode of NASPO Pulse, host Julia McIlroy sits down with Nebraska Chief Procurement Officer and General Counsel Michelle Potts to explore how the state balances centralized oversight with agency flexibility across a large state. Michelle shares insights from her unconventional path into public procurement, discusses leading with both legal and procurement perspectives, and explains how Nebraska is supporting local vendors, empowering agencies through training, and navigating challenges like AI, evolving legislation, and limited resources. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S7 · E8
June 23 · 35 min
The Contract Doesn't Fail—The Management Does: Lessons for Modern Procurement
Successful technology contracts depend on much more than well-written terms and conditions. In this episode, NASPO's Director of Legal Education, Megan Smyth, discusses the real challenges of SaaS contract management, including data security, vendor relationships, decentralized purchasing, and strategic risk management. She also explores how states are beginning to use AI to streamline contract reviews while maintaining oversight and compliance in an increasingly complex technology environment. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S7 · E7
June 15 · 27 min
From Ownership to Access: How SaaS is Reshaping Public Procurement
As government agencies increasingly adopt cloud-based technologies, traditional procurement models are evolving. In this episode, NASPO's Director of Legal Education, Megan Smyth explores how SaaS and subscription-based services are changing the way states purchase, manage, and think about technology. From ownership versus access to the hidden risks of click-through agreements, Megan shares practical insights for procurement professionals navigating today's digital landscape. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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May 12 · 20 min
What Every New Chief Procurement Officer Needs to Know About Leadership
We're joined by Samantha Willis, Chief Procurement Officer for the State of West Virginia, to unpack what state purchasing really looks like from the inside and what makes procurement leadership work when the stakes are high, and the days never look the same. Samantha shares how she found her way into government contracts through a love of contract law, negotiation, and problem-solving. We talk about the “gravity” of leading a statewide purchasing division, why leaders need to listen first, and how institutional knowledge from experienced staff turns theory into practice. She also challenges a common trap in government procurement: assuming the rules always mean less flexibility than they actually do, and how careful legal interpretation can open better, still-compliant paths forward. We also get practical about building a strong procurement team and attracting new talent, focusing on people skills, customer service, and a willingness to learn over perfect resumes. Subscribe for more public procurement leadership stories, share this with a colleague who works in government contracting, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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April 21 · 37 min
Data, Dashboards, and Decisions: New York's New Procurement Model
What if government buying felt fast, fair, and transparent—and actually powered economic growth? We sit down with New York State’s Chief Procurement Officer, Dhanraj Singh, to unpack a bold modernization effort shaped by a clear mandate from elected officials. The goal is bigger than technology: build a people-first procurement ecosystem that cuts cycle times, scales innovation, and delivers better outcomes for residents, agencies, and suppliers. We go inside the pivot from siloed procurement shops to an enterprise approach with shared analytics, standard methods, and a statewide platform. We dig into the pain points that forced change—manual processes, fragmented data, and slow approvals—and the practical steps New York is taking to fix them. From automating repetitive tasks to deploying real-time vendor feedback with Procurated, the team is prioritizing tools that enable good judgment rather than replace it. We also talk about how dashboards and data literacy are improving performance oversight, risk management, and decision speed. At the center of it all is the workforce. New York is investing in skills for contract administration, negotiation, category management, and leadership, while putting change management up front through coaching, assessments, and strategic retreats. The aim is a resilient, energized profession that can respond to crises and raise the bar for public service. We also explore equity and access—making it easier for minority- and women-owned businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses to compete and win—and why success will be measured by how the system feels for people, not by the tools alone. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help more practitioners find these stories. What’s the one change you’d make to modernize procurement where you work? Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S7 · E4
March 16 · 24 min
From Red Tape to Results: Reinventing Public Procurement
What if public procurement felt less like red tape and more like a strategic engine that delivers real outcomes people notice? We sit down with Colorado’s Chief Procurement Officer, Sherri Maxwell, for a candid look at how a decentralized state is aligning strategy, data, and people to build a smarter buying ecosystem that actually works in the field. Sherri traces her path from buying wheel chocks to leading statewide change, revealing how frontline experience fuels her obsession with continuous improvement. We unpack Colorado’s shift away from “set it and forget it” contracts toward surgical, data-driven strategic sourcing backed by rigorous market research and real performance feedback. You’ll hear how honest vendor partnerships, clear expectations, and constant touch points turn contracts into living tools that deliver. We also dig into the homegrown Procurement Insights program—bite-sized analytics that help agencies spot spending patterns, shorten solicitation timelines, and fix recurring compliance snags. Instead of policing, her team consults: if errors cluster, they ask why and address training or template gaps. Add in a modern learning stack—on-demand courses, certifications, and statewide contract management training with support from the Procurement Professionals Alliance—and you get a workforce that speaks a common language and acts with confidence after the ink dries. Subscribe, share with a colleague who cares about better government buying, and leave us a review with one change you want to see in public procurement. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S7 · E3
February 17 · 36 min
Competitive Negotiations: A Playbook for High-Risk Public Procurements
With Delbert Singleton Jr. and Stacy Adams, we dive into South Carolina’s competitive negotiations model—a source selection method designed for high-stakes buys like ERP, digital services, and cloud—where the team establishes a competitive range and negotiates in parallel with multiple finalists. By moving beyond apples-to-apples checklists, we explore how trade‑offs, enhancements, and smarter risk allocation can surface more value than a traditional RFP ever could. We walk through the full arc: building an acquisition team, doing real market research, crafting a different kind of solicitation, and running an initial evaluation that focuses on capability and value potential. Then comes the critical shift—setting a tight competitive range (often three), negotiating detailed terms with each finalist, and conducting a second, final evaluation on the negotiated contracts. You’ll hear why suppliers appreciate the chance to clarify issues and propose better solutions, how the process remains transparent and criteria-led, and where a selection executive provides oversight to catch bias and keep the record defensible. Along the way, we talk code changes, protest realities, and the kinds of outcomes this method unlocks: lower risk, better terms, and modern functionality that evolves as fast as the market. We also reflect on the human side of procurement—from museum exhibits that communities can touch to emergency logistics that keep people safe—showing why process integrity and public impact go hand in hand. If you care about getting complex procurements right, hit play and join the conversation. Subscribe, share with a colleague who handles major acquisitions, and leave a review with your biggest procurement challenge—we may tackle it next. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S7 · E1
January 20 · 34 min
Procurement Legislation 101: How to Prepare Before It Slows You Down
In part one of our discussion with Sherry Neas, Division Director of Shared Services for North Dakota’s OMB, we walk through a practical framework for pre-session preparation, stakeholder alignment, and testimony that actually moves the needle. We start with the pre-legislative rhythm: weekly collaboration with higher ed, monthly sessions with state agencies, and a quarterly procurement advisory council that surfaces policy gaps early. Sherry explains how to decide what belongs in statute versus guidelines, why governments express authority matters, and how opening a law invites amendments you need to anticipate. Then we dive into testimony craft—writing with busy legislators in mind, using concrete examples, pausing for questions, and closing with a crisp call to action. We talk media training, committee protocol, and choosing speakers who want the podium and can handle rapid-fire questions. Once the session heats up, systems and teamwork take over. Sherry details a bill tracking workflow, cross-division assignments, and the necessity of freeing someone’s time to focus on legislative work. We get into internal approvals—how subject matter experts, legal counsel, leadership, and the governor’s office align positions with policy, resources, and fiscal notes. When stakeholders disagree, she shows how to prevent surprises by briefing sponsors and chairs early, proposing amendments, and keeping associations in the loop. And when controversy sends a bill to conference committee, Sherry treats it like a complex RFP: listen first, map concerns, iterate toward solutions, and support the carrier with clear talking points. If you’re a procurement leader navigating legislative season, this conversation offers a repeatable playbook: begin with the end in mind, engage stakeholders early, testify with clarity, and build relationships through respect and helpfulness. Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review telling us your best tip for surviving the session storm. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S7 · E2
January 20 · 25 min
How to Prepare for Procurement Legislation Without Costly Delays (Advanced Strategies)
In part two of our discussion with Sherry Neas from North Dakota, we lay out a practical playbook that starts with a precise legislative summary, aligns interpretations with partners like risk management and the AG, and then moves through manuals, training, website updates, and template revisions that vendors can actually follow. We talk about capacity like operators do: splitting the team so daily buying continues while a focused group drives implementation on deadline. Sherry shares how to use bill tracking tools to catch amendments that change scope at the last minute, and how to communicate updates to counties, cities, schools, and vendors in plain language. We also dig into sponsor relationships and why a short, proactive email confirming a policy launch or contract award earns lasting trust at the capitol. When vendors escalate, transparency about protests and resolution processes turns conflict into clarity. If you care about public procurement, legislative implementation, vendor communication, and building leaders who think in laws and deliver in practice, this one’s for you. Listen, share with your team, and leave a review telling us your best post-session habit. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S6 · E8
Dec 15, 2025 · 27 min
The Simmer Strategy: How Michigan Transformed Its Procurement Approach
Forget everything you thought you knew about government procurement transformation. Michigan's innovative approach proves that sustainable improvement isn't about massive overhauls—it's about maintaining what Chief Procurement Officer Jared Ambrosier calls "a constant low simmer" of innovation. In this fascinating conversation, Ambrosier and Supplier Relations Manager Will Camp reveal how Michigan's procurement office has evolved from executing a directive-driven transformation to cultivating an organic culture of continuous refinement. Rather than exhausting staff with comprehensive changes, they maintain a portfolio of 10-15 improvement projects simultaneously, each addressing specific pain points or opportunities. Their annual visioning process provides structure, while daily openness to new ideas keeps innovation flowing from all levels of the organization. For procurement professionals looking to create lasting improvements, Michigan's leaders offer this wisdom: focus on changes that benefit staff quality of work/life, not just leadership priorities. Understand the "why" behind each initiative. And perhaps most importantly, recognize that improvement isn't a destination—it's an ongoing journey that requires constant adaptation, especially as emerging technologies like AI create new opportunities for efficiency. From helicopter purchases to horse urine testing for race tracks, this episode showcases both the fascinating variety and the strategic sophistication of modern public procurement. Subscribe now for more insights that will transform how you think about government purchasing! Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S6 · E9
Dec 15, 2025 · 24 min
No Reds, No Regrets: Turning Procurement into a Friendly Race
What if you could cut overdue bids by more than half without buying a new e-procurement system? We sit down with Stacia Dawson and Michael Stroud from Missouri’s Division of Purchasing to unpack a practical playbook for turnaround time management that anyone can adopt. Their approach blends simple tooling—Smartsheet for structured data and Tableau for clear visuals—with tight weekly reviews that turn insights into action. We walk through the foundations: setting phase-based goals, logging actual dates with consistency, and using a stoplight status to keep focus on what’s at risk. Stacia shares how the team moved beyond giant spreadsheets and guesswork to a living dashboard that sorts work from oldest to newest, reveals bottlenecks fast, and makes it easy to intervene. Michael explains why low-code tools were the right fit: low cost, fast to implement, and flexible enough to evolve as the team learned. The result? A 62% reduction in overdue bids, faster cycle times, and a shared understanding of what drives delays. If you’re looking to modernize public procurement with limited resources, this story shows exactly where to start: one sheet, a few well-chosen fields, simple color rules, and a weekly cadence that makes data matter. Subscribe for more practical procurement strategies, share this episode with your team, and tell us: which metric would you track first to unlock faster, fairer awards? Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S6 · E7
Nov 17, 2025 · 42 min
AI for Government: How Public Procurement Can Adopt It Without Getting Burned
The promise of AI in government is huge, but so are the stakes. We sit down with Dr. Cari Miller and Dr. Gisele Waters, co-founders of the AI Procurement Lab and leaders behind IEEE 3119, the first standard dedicated to procuring AI and automated decision systems. Together we break down how public buyers can make smarter, safer choices—turning values like transparency and human oversight into concrete policies, contract clauses, and day‑to‑day practices that actually hold up under pressure. We start with practical first steps: form a truly cross‑functional procurement team, define a real problem, and assess data readiness. You’ll hear why “getting ready to get ready” is a smart move, using small, low‑risk pilots to clean data and build capability before rolling out bigger tools. We share cautionary case studies, including a clever pothole detection project on trash trucks that drifted into unintended surveillance, and we explain how scope, safeguards, and community accountability prevent harm while preserving benefits. From there, we get specific on AI policy versus contracts: how to require model provenance, audit rights, incident reporting, redress processes, and exit strategies that avoid vendor lock‑in. We talk SPI and the hidden risk of metadata, why human‑in‑the‑loop matters for public trust, and how change management helps teams see AI as a useful tool rather than a threat. By the end, you’ll have a roadmap for responsible AI procurement that blends governance, ethics, and measurable outcomes. If you found this valuable, follow the show, share it with a colleague in public procurement, and leave a review to help more listeners discover these tools and ideas. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S6 · E5
Oct 22, 2025 · 24 min
Radios in Fish Tanks: Testing the Durability of Procurement Solutions
Modernization sits at the heart of Florida's procurement transformation. Jesse Marks, Florida's Chief Procurement Officer, shares her fascinating 18-year journey from part-time administrative assistant to CPO, revealing how the relationship-building and clear writing skills from journalism perfectly translated to crafting thoughtful procurements and saving taxpayer dollars. Marks details how her team leverages AI technology, cloud-based solutions, and automated reporting systems to increase efficiency while maintaining transparency. The cloud-based platform they've implemented provides real-time updates on active solicitations and contracts, eliminating the guesswork and bottlenecks that once plagued their process. Rather than making decisions in a vacuum, Florida's approach emphasizes data-driven strategies and stakeholder buy-in. Ready to transform your own procurement approach? Subscribe to NASPO's Pulse for more insights from public procurement leaders across the nation, and discover how relationship-building, technology, and professional development can elevate your procurement outcomes. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S6 · E6
Oct 22, 2025 · 16 min
From Chaos to Category Management: How Oklahoma Rebuilt Procurement for Speed, Trust, and Compliance
The myth says procurement is the holdup. We put that belief under a bright light with Oklahoma’s Chief Procurement Officer, Amanda Otis, and trace exactly how a team moves from jungle to clarity—no playbook, tight resources, and high expectations. Amanda shares how a legal mind mapped undocumented processes, separated statutory “musts” from inherited habits, and rebuilt the office around category management so expertise links directly to spend and supplier markets. We get into the nuts and bolts: using PeopleSoft for e-procurement and sourcing without piling on complexity, leaning on AI to distill 500-page documents into crisp briefs (with human review), and adopting OneNote to tame the flood of work that email and spreadsheets couldn’t handle. Trust becomes the center of gravity. Amanda explains why fast acknowledgments, reliable follow-through, and monthly “Central Purchasing Listens” sessions turned an “ivory tower” into a responsive service partner. Skeptics on the team weren’t ignored; they were invited into experiments with a simple promise—try it, measure it, change it if it fails within six months. Join us for a straight-talking playbook on modern public procurement: category management, transparent metrics, trust-building, and structured innovation that actually ships. If this episode sparks ideas for your team, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review with your favorite takeaway so more practitioners can find it. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S6 · E3
Oct 21, 2025 · 39 min
From Freeways to Fire Retardant: California's Procurement Evolution
What happens when a state with the world's fourth-largest economy revolutionizes how it buys everything from office supplies to life-saving fire retardant? Angela Shell, California's Chief Procurement Officer, takes us behind the scenes of procurement modernization in the Golden State. Through data transparency initiatives, California has transformed how government agencies make purchasing decisions. Their enterprise procurement system captures every state purchase—revealing everything from multi-million dollar contracts to that time someone accidentally ordered "a million packages of ketchup." This wealth of information drives smarter buying decisions and allows unprecedented public visibility into government spending through dashboards anyone can access. Whether you're a government buyer, supplier, or simply curious about how your tax dollars are spent, this conversation offers fascinating insights into procurement's evolution and its critical role in public service. Subscribe to NASPO's Pulse for more conversations at the forefront of government innovation. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S6 · E4
Oct 21, 2025 · 31 min
Modern Needs, Modern Codes: South Carolina's Procurement Evolution
What happens when public procurement codes fail to keep pace with modern needs? Delbert Singleton and Stacy Adams from South Carolina's Division of Procurement Services reveal how their state successfully modernized its procurement rules through thoughtful, strategic updates. With candid insights from their combined years of experience, our guests share how they've navigated four major code revisions since 1994. Listen as Delbert and Stacy describe their comprehensive process of consulting stakeholders, researching other states' practices, and carefully weighing competing needs while maintaining procurement integrity. Whether you're a procurement leader looking to update outdated processes or simply interested in how government purchasing evolves to meet changing needs, this episode provides an invaluable roadmap for thoughtful, effective procurement reform. Listen now to part one of our two-part episode with South Carolina to learn how your organization can balance innovation with accountability in public procurement. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S6 · E1
Sep 16, 2025 · 23 min
Procurement Powers Everything: From Police Cars to School Lunches
What happens when procurement goes right? Most citizens never notice. Behind every police car, school lunch, government building, and public service lies the intricate, largely invisible work of public procurement professionals who ensure taxpayer dollars create maximum value for communities. Discover how procurement professionals quietly shape the quality of public services while driving innovation, equity, and sustainability in government operations. Peter Korolyk, Director of Government Support Services for Delaware, takes us behind the curtain to reveal how procurement decisions ripple through every aspect of government operations. With 15+ years in state government and prior experience in private sector purchasing, Korolyk offers a unique perspective on what makes public procurement both challenging and rewarding. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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S6 · E2
Sep 16, 2025 · 29 min
Continuous Improvement: In Service of Others
What happens when you combine theater, legal expertise, and a passion for public service? Gene Burk, Connecticut's Director of Procurement Programs and Services, brings his unique background to transform how government procurement serves citizens. Burk's refreshingly simple method for measuring success—"Ask"—highlights his commitment to continuous improvement through stakeholder engagement. By organizing his team to proactively seek feedback and understand real-world needs, procurement becomes a strategic partner rather than a bureaucratic hurdle. This approach extends to supplier relationships too, recognizing that creating positive experiences for vendors ultimately benefits citizens through better contracts and service delivery. Subscribe to NASPO's Pulse podcast for more insights from innovative leaders who are reimagining public procurement as a strategic enabler of government services. Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO! naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
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