North Central Texas Council of Governments Engages with Civic Marketplace to Transform Public Sector Procurement

Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 15, 2024
Location: Arlington, Texas

We’re excited to announce an important milestone for our company and community! Read on to learn about our latest developments and how we’re working to transform our industry.

Civic Marketplace, Inc is pleased to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). This collaboration, working directly with local governments, is poised to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of procurement processes for local governments across the nation.

"We are eager to embark on this exciting journey with Civic Marketplace," said Mike Eastland, Executive Director of NCTCOG. "This collaboration is about more than just contracts and technology; it's about working directly with our member governments to create a vibrant, interactive ecosystem that empowers them to operate more efficiently and effectively."

Civic Marketplace, co-founded by Ron Holifield and Al Hleileh, has developed an innovative platform designed to simplify and streamline procurement processes, making it easier for local governments to access the best tools and resources available. This collaboration will enable the TXShare Cooperative Purchasing Program of the NCTCOG to expand its membership base and enhance its cooperative contract portfolio with cutting-edge technology solutions tailored to meet the unique and varied needs of local and state governments.

Key Benefits of the Collaboration:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Civic Marketplace's AI-powered search and user-friendly interface will make it easier than ever for TXShare members to find, evaluate, and implement the contracts and tools they need.
• Greater Transparency: The platform's transparent scorecarding and compliance features will ensure that procurement activities meet the highest standards of integrity, legal compliance, and transparency.
• Support for Local Businesses: The collaboration will provide expanded opportunities for small, minority, and women-owned businesses.

"Through this collaborative effort, we will not be merely adapting to change; we will be leading it," added Eastland. "Our combined expertise and resources, working with local governments, will unlock unprecedented opportunities for innovation and growth, setting a new standard of excellence in public sector procurement."

Civic Marketplace has spent the last two years co-designing its platform with local governments to ensure it meets the specific needs and challenges faced by procurement professionals. By integrating cutting-edge technology with best practices and legal compliance, Civic Marketplace is poised to reshape the landscape of public sector procurement.

Local government procurement is often a complex and time-intensive process. Compliance requirements, outdated systems, and limited access to underutilized businesses create bottlenecks that strain procurement officers and extend project timelines. Feedback has shown that the typical procurement process takes substantial staff time and resulting labor costs. Factoring in the average number of solicitations by entity, with over 20,000 municipalities nationwide, the direct impact to a municipality’s bottom line is significant. Civic Marketplace has a key guiding objective of improving efficiency and opening doors for local and diverse businesses.

Marcheta Gillespie, President of NIGP Consulting - the Institute for Public Procurement, the foremost authority in public procurement, emphasized the significance of integrating best practices, compliance, and innovative search technology in procurement.

"Today more than ever, it's critical for public procurement professionals and agencies to leverage procurement best practices and best-in-class solutions. This drives efficiencies and measurable results," she noted. "The holistic approach taken by CivicMarketplace focuses on streamlining the procurement process but also elevates transparency and accountability, which ultimately will benefit the communities we all serve."

"Our singular mission is to empower local governments to make faster, easier, and more transparent purchasing decisions," said Ron Holifield, President of Civic Marketplace. "This collaboration will ultimately lead to more efficient public services, resulting in positive and dramatic outcomes for residents across the nation."

"We are excited about the future this collaboration heralds," said Al Hleileh, CEO of Civic Marketplace. "By combining our innovative platform with NCTCOG's deep understanding and expertise in local government, we are setting the stage for transformative changes that will directly benefit communities and their residents as we build the future of government procurement."

For more information about the collaboration and how it will benefit TXShare members, visit https://txshare.org/ or contact Jon Blackman at JBlackman@nctcog.org.

For more information about Civic Marketplace and its innovative platform, visit www.civicmarketplace.com or contact Jordan Schupbach at jordan@civicmarketplace.com.

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About North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is a voluntary association of, by and for local governments, established to assist in regional planning. NCTCOG's purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions. Local governments and non-profit entities across all 50 states are eligible to participate in the TXShare program at no cost. Simply fill out our Interlocal Agreement, and any organization may take advantage of the TXShare contracts, as well as any future contracts to come.  Typical turnaround time for an Interlocal Agreement to be executed is one business day. You can begin using the TXShare awarded contracts as soon as your Interlocal Agreement is returned, and again - there is never a cost to your organization to use the contracts.

About Civic Marketplace

Civic Marketplace is a venture-backed technology company transforming public sector procurement through cutting-edge innovation. Our platform streamlines and accelerates procurement processes, offering local governments a user-friendly, fully compliant solution. Designed for simplicity, Civic Marketplace makes procurement straightforward. We are committed to transparency, efficiency, and supporting diverse suppliers, including historically underutilized businesses, to foster local economic growth and drive innovation. By providing access to a network of reliable, pre-approved vendors, the platform ensures legal compliance and quality assurance for every contract. Discover how we are reshaping procurement at www.civicmarketplace.com.

Join the Civic Marketplace Community

• Agencies: Ready to streamline your procurement processes and access the best tools and resources? Sign up here to join Civic Marketplace and transform your procurement experience.
• Vendors: Want to connect with local governments and expand your business opportunities? Sign up here to become part of the Civic Marketplace vendor network.