Public procurement is entering a new era—one where data isn't just collected, it's activated. In this recap of our VCON session, Al Hleileh and Marcheta Gillespie explore how procurement professionals can transform raw data into real-world outcomes, build trust through transparency, and lead with insight—no PhD or million-dollar toolset required.
Let’s be honest: data in public procurement isn’t just spreadsheets and dashboards-it’s the new currency of trust, strategy, and service. Last week, over 150 of you joined us for a conversation that felt less like a conference breakout and more like a community revival. We talked data, but more importantly, we talked people, purpose, and the potential power we have when we link insights with action.
Bridging Data & Decision: Delivering Procurement Results That Matter – Full Webinar Replay
So let’s recap the real talk.
Why Data Matters-More Than Ever
From the jump, it was clear: this wasn’t just about tools or tech. This was about public servants trying to make sense of increasingly complex demands-with limited resources and growing expectations. It’s about being asked, sometimes daily, “What’s the value of procurement?” and needing more than anecdotes to answer.
We saw it in the chat: total spend, supplier scorecards, diversity spend, certificates of insurance, KPIs-everyone brought their own lens. And that’s the point. Data looks different depending on where you sit: the procurement desk, the political dais, or the supplier’s office.
As Marcheta put it best, “We’re not here to be tactical. We’re here to be strategic.” And to do that? You’ve got to move from collecting data to interpreting it, and from interpreting it to making better decisions.
From Raw Numbers to Real Change
We know how easy it is to drown in data-especially when your systems don’t talk, your contracts are coded in four formats, and every internal stakeholder needs something slightly different. We’ve been there.
Whether it’s mapping out MWBE performance or finding ou-—thanks to a clever AI assistant—that you’ve missed a million-dollar rebate opportunity (true story), the right data at the right time can shift how your agency operates.
Let’s take it even further: good data practices don’t just build better reports-they build better trust. Because when you can show exactly where the money went, why it was spent, and who it helped, you’re not just accountable. You’re transparent.
Stories That Stick
One of our favorite moments? When a procurement officer from Delray Beach, Florida shared how she personally caught a $36,000 fraud attempt-by double-checking an email and making a call. That’s not just vigilance. That’s integrity powered by instinct and data.
Or the city that transitioned from line-item budgets to priority-based budgeting, bringing residents into the fold via town halls, storytelling, and clear, visualized outcomes. That’s data in action. That’s democracy at work.
The Analytics Lifecycle (It’s Not Just for Techies)
For those just getting started, here’s the truth: you don’t need a PhD or a million-dollar software suite. What you need is clarity on what problem you’re solving.
That’s the heart of the analytics lifecycle:
- Start with the problem.
- Collect what you can (and know what you’re missing).
- Standardize and clean your data.
- Analyze, interpret, and share.
- Act. Learn. Improve. Repeat.
It doesn’t matter if your toolkit is an Excel spreadsheet or an AI engine. What matters is that you’re aligning your analytics with real outcome-—more savings, better vendor relationships, reduced risk, and stronger community outcomes.
From Quick Wins to Long-Term Impact
For every challenge we raised-supplier performance, spend analysis, risk modeling, fraud detection-we also spotlighted opportunities:
- Use analytics to coordinate IT spend across departments and drive savings.
- Create performance scorecards that go beyond gut-checks.
- Spot trends and act early, whether it's pricing shocks or delivery issues.
- Tell your story with dashboards, visualizations, or even just well-framed emails.
And we’re not just talking tech. We’re talking culture. Governance. Standards. Cross-functional buy-in. Because if data lives in silos, so will solutions.
Best Practices? Start Here.
- Start small, but start today. One data set. One use case. One win.
- Build trust. Relationships matter. Find your allies in finance, IT, legal.
- Standardize your definitions. If you can’t name it consistently, you can’t report on it meaningfully.
- Be human. Data is not just numbers. It’s stories. It’s people. It's lives impacted.
Stay curious. Whether you're brand new or a 20-year vet, learning is your superpower.
Final Word: You Belong Here
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: data isn’t someone else’s job. It’s yours. Whether you're pushing your first PO or advising your city manager, you deserve the tools-and the trust-to lead with insight.
And you’re not alone. This community is full of passionate, purpose-driven professionals who are building something better together.
If you ever wonder where to start, reach out. We’re here. The future of procurement is already happening. And it starts with you.
📄 Download the PDF Presentation Here
Marcheta Gillespie
President, NIGP Code and Consulting
Marcheta@nigp.org
Al Hleileh
CEO, Civic Marketplace
al@civicmarketplace.com
A heartfelt thank you and credit to NIGP and the organizers of NIGP VCON for the opportunity to participate in the Data Analytics and AI in Public Procurement session. We’re grateful to be part of a forward-thinking community that’s exploring how technology can unlock smarter, more equitable government purchasing.
Looking forward to continued conversations and collaborations that drive innovation in public service.
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