2026 Public Procurement Survey

Public Procurement at a Defining Moment

Public procurement is under increasing pressure. Rising costs, expanding compliance demands, and rapid technological advances are reshaping expectations, often without additional staff or budget.

SOVRA’s 2026 Public Procurement Survey analyzes how agencies across the United States and Canada are responding. Based on insights from 131 senior public procurement professionals, this report highlights where modernization is progressing and where it continues to fall short.

What You’ll Learn

Most agencies recognize that modernization is critical. Yet partial approaches remain the norm, leaving teams constrained by disconnected systems and limited visibility.

This report outlines what’s working, where gaps persist, and how agencies can move toward more connected, data-driven procurement operations.
Inside the report:

• Why partial modernization remains common—and the risks it creates
• How AI and automation are expected to reshape procurement despite uneven readiness
• Where supplier risk management practices lag
• How connected systems strengthen visibility, compliance, and collaboration
• Why procurement’s strategic role continues to expand

Procurement teams are taking on broader strategic roles, while many still rely on fragmented systems and partial modernization.

Key Findings at a Glance

• 60.31% of agencies are only partially modernized
• 48.85% do not formally assess supplier risk
• 16.07% feel very prepared to adopt AI
• Cost remains the dominant supplier selection factor

These findings provide a practical snapshot of where public procurement stands today and where targeted action can drive measurable improvement.