Professionals Share The Top Seven Public Procurement Challenges Today

Procurement professionals are the invisible engine that drive our communities forward. The job touches nearly every aspect of government work, from keeping roads smooth to building tomorrow’s infrastructure. Yet, there are many obstacles that make the profession difficult. We asked leaders from around the US to share what they thought were the procurement profession’s top seven biggest challenges. Here's what they had to say. 

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1 - Staffing and Skills Gaps

“Public sector procurement faces numerous challenges today, but this creates tremendous opportunities for improvement and innovation. One major challenge is entities across the US are struggling to find skilled and experienced people and resources to fill vacancies and help with increased workloads. 

Smaller entities are particularly challenged to find ways to support their internal customers with the best solutions for their needs, given they often don't have dedicated, certified, and experienced procurement professionals. These entities are often unaware of the best practices, resources and advances in public sector procurement that could greatly improve their level of service to their communities. Luckily, we have a tremendous procurement professional community that is highly engaged and committed to supporting one another in any way they can.”

– Marcheta Gillespie, President, NIGP Code and Consulting

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2 - Preparing the Next Generation of Procurement Professionals

“The biggest procurement issue today is how we communicate the importance of public procurement to the next generation. While this profession is blessed to have so many wonderful certification programs to build the path for a great procurement position, we need practitioners who can provide priceless context and pull in the next round of all-stars. For it isn't the letters after our names that will make a difference in our communities, but the way that we are able to connect the dots for all of our teams to ensure best practices and best value for the taxpayer dollar.”

– Christina Semeraro, Town Procurement Officer, Town of Southwest Ranches, Florida

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3 - Rapid Change

“There are a thousand different answers to that question, and all are valid. Doing more with less. Obtaining staff is harder. More and more regulations. Harder to find interested vendors. New technologies every day. But if I had to sum it up in one thought, it would be staying on top of the constantly evolving changes in the public procurement world. While our profession has always been one of constant change, the pace of that change is now so fast it is difficult to stay on top of it.”

– Terry McKee, Director of Procurement, Knoxville's Community Development Corporation

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4 - Lack of Inclusion in Decision-Making

“One of the biggest challenges facing procurement professionals today is the lack of respect and influence within organizations, which limits procurement’s role in strategic decision-making and diminishes its potential impact. Without a seat at the table early on, we often miss opportunities for strategic sourcing and effective vendor evaluation, which are crucial for delivering true value.

Alongside this, a lack of client planning is a significant hurdle. When internal teams don’t engage early, it leads to rushed procurements that compromise strategic sourcing and vendor evaluation.”

– Chris Smith, Contract Specialist, The County of Fairfax, Virginia 

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5 - Compliance and Risk Management 

“In today’s rapidly evolving procurement landscape, one of the most pressing challenges is managing vendor compliance and risk complexities. As organizations increasingly rely on diverse networks of suppliers spanning multiple industries and regional markets, ensuring compliance becomes an intricate balancing act. 

From cybersecurity vulnerabilities to unforeseen supply chain disruptions, the potential risks are as varied as they are significant. The need for oversight and due diligence is often at odds with the pressure to operate swiftly and efficiently. As a result, procurement leaders need to invest in technology and process automation. A step for change will be leveraging AI in the future to augment (not supplant) current processes to navigate these needs and protect their organizations from emerging threats. In addition, having an opportunity to purchase more locally will benefit economic development and lessen supply chain risk.”

– Al Hleileh, CEO, Civic Marketplace

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6 - Strategic Alignment, Lack of Competition, etc.

“City local governments face procurement challenges due to a lack of strategic alignment, where purchasing decisions aren't coordinated with long-term goals. Contract compliance burdens arise from complex regulations and the need to monitor vendor performance, increasing administrative time and costs. Additionally, limited suppliers and competition restrict the availability of quality services and goods, often leading to higher prices. Budget restraints further complicate procurement, limiting the ability to secure necessary resources while balancing fiscal responsibility and community needs.  All these issues collectively hinder efficient and effective procurement processes.”

– Rosanne Lemus, Purchasing Manager, The City of Allen, Texas

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7 - Outdated Technology

"Procurement professionals are some of the most dedicated and hardworking individuals in the public sector, ensuring critical services reach our communities. However, the tools they have at their disposal often lack the technology and modern approach needed to streamline the complexities of their work. In order to elevate the procurement profession to the place it belongs, those offices need to be offered innovative solutions that simplify processes, reduce inefficiencies, and empower these professionals to focus on delivering greater impact for their organizations and the people they serve."

– Jordan Schupbach, Director of Communication and Product Marketing, Civic Marketplace