This Week in Procurement | Podcast on RSS.com

This Week in Procurement

This Week in Procurement

by Abby Souffrant

Entrepreneurship

5 Government Software Opportunities You Should Be Pursuing Right Now | TWIP 20

Government agencies are accelerating digital modernization efforts, creating new opportunities for software vendors that understand how to position themselves early in the procurement process. In this episode of This Week in Procurement, host Abby Souffrant explores five active software opportunities across state and local government agencies while unpacking one of the most important trends shaping public sector purchasing: vendor consolidation. You'll learn why agencies are moving away from fragmented systems and spreadsheets, what buyers are looking for in modern software platforms, and how successful vendors are differentiating themselves by selling outcomes instead of features. In this episode: • Wisconsin: Paratransit Management Software Opportunity • Illinois: Workforce Development CRM Platform • Connecticut: ACA Compliance and Consulting Software • Tennessee: Venue and Event Management Platform • Ohio: Golf Course Management and Revenue Management Software Abby also shares regional procurement insights from across the country and answers a common question from vendors who are responding to solicitations but struggling to win awards. Key Takeaways: ✓ Why integrated platforms are replacing legacy systems ✓ The growing demand for cloud-based government software ✓ How to engage before the RFP is released ✓ The role of RFIs, planning meetings, and relationship building ✓ Why government buyers prioritize measurable outcomes over features Whether you're a SaaS provider, GovTech company, consultant, systems integrator, or technology reseller, this episode provides actionable insights to help you identify opportunities and improve your government contracting strategy. Subscribe for weekly procurement intelligence, SLED market updates, and practical strategies to help your organization win more government contracts. Under Contract Academy

Health is Wealth | TWIP Ep 19

Health is wealth and this week, government buyers are investing in healthcare, clinical services, therapy, counseling, and medical supply vendors who can help communities get healthier, safer, and better supported. In this episode of This Week in Procurement, host Abby Souffrant provides a weekly outlook on state, local, and education government contracting opportunities. This week’s featured opportunities include neurological and psychiatric evaluations for school districts, personal care hygiene products in Louisiana, oxygen and respiratory therapy services in Colorado, occupational therapy staffing in New Jersey, and therapy and counseling services connected to child welfare in California. Abby also breaks down why healthcare vendors must move beyond selling sessions, staffing, or supplies — and start selling measurable outcomes. Winning vendors are the ones who can define a clear clinical lane, show proof through audit-ready documentation, and align their proposals with mandates like IDEA, Medicaid, compliance, and service delivery requirements. You’ll also hear regional market signals from May 8–May 14, including more than 31,000 new opportunities nationwide and major trends in modernization, public safety, cybersecurity, workforce stability, infrastructure resilience, telehealth, and trauma-informed care. In this week’s Dear Abby segment, Abby answers a viewer question about whether to bid on an out-of-state clinical contract and shares a three-step bid or no-bid checklist: verify license and footprint reality, match your evidence and experience to the project, and assess whether the opportunity fits your staffing capacity and strategic niche. Featured contracts include: New Jersey — Neurological and Psychiatric Evaluations Louisiana — Personal Care Hygiene Products Colorado — Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Services New Jersey — Occupational Therapy Staffing California — Therapy and Counseling Services Ready to grow through government contracting? Join the Under Contract Academy for guided support, execution strategy, and access to the opportunities discussed in this episode. https://www.skool.com/undercontract/about Subscribe to This Week in Procurement for weekly government contracting insights, active opportunities, and practical strategies to help you win in your lane.

Leadership & Executive Coaching | This Week in Procurement Episode 17

For the first time, host Abby Souffrant dedicates an entire episode to one fast-growing government contracting category: leadership and executive coaching. This episode is for executive coaches, leadership consultants, training providers, organizational development firms, workforce development experts, and professional services vendors who are ready to stop sitting on the sidelines and start competing for government contracts with confidence. This exclusive industry-led episode takes listeners inside the public-sector demand for leadership development, executive coaching, training, organizational transformation, and workforce readiness. With more than 31,000 new state, local, and education contracting opportunities reviewed this week, Abby narrows the focus to the contracts that matter most for coaches, consultants, training firms, and organizational development experts ready to grow in the government marketplace. In this episode, Abby spotlights five high-value leadership and executive coaching opportunities across Virginia, Ohio, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Florida — with contract values ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. But this is not just a list of open bids. Abby breaks down what these buyers are really asking for, why leadership development is becoming a serious public-sector investment, and how vendors can move beyond generic “coaching services” to position themselves as strategic partners in measurable organizational change. Listeners will learn how to frame their offers around: Leadership outcomes, not just coaching hours. Buyer confidence, not just credentials. Structured systems, not one-off sessions. Proof of transformation, not polished language. This episode also uncovers key regional trends shaping the leadership and executive coaching market, from East Coast agencies formalizing leadership systems to Southern buyers investing in talent pipelines, Midwest organizations seeking stronger national visibility, and West Coast institutions prioritizing culturally responsive, mission-aligned leadership. In the Dear Abby segment, Abby answers a critical question for vendors: how do you engage buyers without overwhelming them? Her answer is simple but powerful — reduce risk, lead with outcomes, walk them through your process, and show proof that you can deliver. This is the first exclusive industry-led episode of This Week in Procurement and leadership is taking center stage.

Pitch Denied | This Week in Procurement Ep 16

Stop submitting bids you aren't positioned to win. On This Week in Procurement, host Abby Souffrant breaks down the latest in state, local, and education government contracting to help you see the signals before the awards are made. Every week, we go beyond pricing and capability to analyze the top opportunities hitting the market. From multi-million dollar infrastructure projects in Oregon to specialized marketing services in Arkansas. What you’ll get in each episode: The Top 5 Opportunities: A deep dive into current high-value contracts, their budgets, and the specific firms that are the "best fit" to win. The Signal vs. The Noise: Understand why agencies are buying now, whether it's a focus on economic development, recreation upgrades, or critical facility maintenance. Regional Market Maps: A breakdown of contracting trends across the East Coast, South, Midwest, and West Coast. Strategic Advice: Learn how to stop being a "vendor" and start becoming a long-term partner by bringing proof and measurable stability to government agencies. Stop burning out on volume and start winning with focus. Join us to find the clarity and selectivity you need to succeed in government contracting.

Contracts for Reels are Real | TWIP Ep 15

📣 Episode Highlights: The "Reels" Revolution: We explore how California is leading a shift toward mobile-first citizen engagement by contracting for platform-native, short-form video content. Regional Market Engines: Discover why the South is currently the nation's undisputed volume leader and how California alone accounts for 70% of West Coast activity. Winning Through Outcomes: Learn the "Tip of the Week" on how to secure renewals by pitching measurable community impact—like health metrics and engagement rates—over simple activities. Procurement Readiness: In our "Dear Abby" segment, we break down the foundational documentation you need to start bidding, from EINs to identifying your NAICS codes. State Portal Training: Get a first look at our upcoming free training series designed to help you register for state procurement portals, starting with California. 📣 Whether you specialize in creative services, wellness programming, or leadership development, this episode reveals where the funding is moving and how your business can capture it.

TWIP 14 | High Value Contracts on the Rise

Stop waiting on the sidelines for budget certainty and start winning. This Week in Procurement is your essential weekly outlook on state, local, and education (SLED) government contracting opportunities. Hosted by Abby Souffrant, this episode breaks down the massive surge of 28,888 new opportunities nationwide between April 3rd and April 9th, 2026. In this episode, we cover: The Top 5 Opportunities of the Week: High-value contracts ranging from security system maintenance in Massachusetts to a $4.1 million amphitheater project in Texas and geotechnical engineering in Washington. National Market Trends: Why facility management (30% of new contracts) and compliance services (26% of new contracts) are currently dominating the market. Regional Breakdowns: Strategic insights into active markets across the East Coast, South, Midwest, and West Coast—including dominant activity in Texas and California. Strategy & Advice: In our "Dear Abby" segment, we discuss how to stop "hiding behind your computer" and instead build the vendor relationships and execution plans necessary to win. Whether you are a general contractor, a consultant, or a nonprofit leader, learn how to position your firm as the "least risky" choice for agencies buying outcomes. Join the Academy to access all the links for this week's opportunities and more. https://www.skool.com/undercontract/about

TWIP 13 | Stop Bidding on RFPs

In this episode, we unpack why “more RFPs = more wins” is one of the most expensive myths in SLED growth and what to do instead. We walk through a practical lens you can use to decide which opportunities deserve your time and which ones you should let go. In this episode, we dive into: The Top 5 Live Opportunities: We highlight high-value contracts across the U.S., including marketing services in Georgia ($623K), capacity building in Los Angeles ($300K), and a massive vehicle registration system in Alaska. Regional Market Trends: Why New York and Texas are dominating the volume right now, and how the Midwest is bridging the gap between healthcare delivery and IT modernization. The "Use It or Lose It" Season: Understanding the current surge in facilities maintenance, janitorial services, and professional legal services as agencies enter execution mode. Winning Through Relationships: Our "Tip of the Week" explains why government contracts are won through trust and early positioning with stakeholders, not just by submitting a bid. Expert Advice (Dear Abby): A deep dive into how to choose the right agency by evaluating risk and proving stability rather than just pitching capabilities. Are you ready to scale?Don't let the market move without you. Free Resource: Take the 5-minute Government Contracting Readiness Assessment to see where your firm stands. https://form.jotform.com/260323708054047 Go Deeper: Join the Academy for expert support in positioning your firm before the next solicitation drops. https://www.skool.com/undercontract/about

This Week in Procurement: Ep 12 | 30K+ Contracts

📣Welcome to another episode of This Week in Procurement, your weekly guide to state, local, and education (SLED) government contracting. This week, host Abby Souffrant breaks down record-breaking opportunities across the nation, highlighting over 30,000 new solicitations released between March 20th and March 26th. From environmental consulting in Washington to large-scale infrastructure in Florida, the window to get in front of buyers is wide open. Abby also provides a crucial tip for winning proposals: lead with your "win theme" to capture the attention of overworked contracting officers. Timestamps: 📣 00:55 – Washington: Recycling and Waste Station Program ($50,250) 📣 01:41 – Washington: Marketing, Information, Education, and Research ($500k–$800k) 📣 02:35 – New York: Landscape Architecture Design Service ($4M) 📣 03:32 – New York: Laboratory Testing Services ($230,000) 📣 04:30 – Florida: Employer of Record Staffing Service ($3.6M) 📣 05:18 – Tip of the Week: Winning proposal structures. 📣 06:28 – National Map: A record-breaking 30,000 new opportunities 📣 07:08 – East Coast Regional Outlook: IT and compliance in NY and NJ 📣 07:59 – South Regional Outlook: Infrastructure and healthcare in TX and FL 📣 08:43 – Midwest Regional Outlook: Maintenance and IT stabilization in MI and MO 📣 09:34 – West Coast Regional Outlook: Digital tools and environmental planning in CA and WA 📣 10:28 – Dear Abby: SLED vs. Federal procurement misunderstandings. If you want access to these contracts, join us in the Academy: https://www.skool.com/undercontract/about

This Week in Procurement: Ep 11 | $3.6M Media, AI Pilots, & More!

This Week in Procurement: AI Pilots, Multi-Million Dollar Media, and Regional Trends Host Abby Souffrant explores five standout government contracting opportunities across the United States. This episode breaks down active solicitations in artificial intelligence, child care, media, branded merchandise, and real estate valuation, while providing a nationwide analysis of procurement trends for March 13th through the 19th. Episode Highlights Targeted AI in Maryland: A look at a specialized AI service contract perfect for boutique tech firms and consultants. Sustained Services in Oregon: Discussion on a long-term child care program management contract in Portland. Big Budgets in California: Details on a $3.6 million media consulting engagement for PR and communication agencies. Consolidated Branding in Colorado: Exploring an ongoing procurement relationship for branded apparel and merchandise. Specialized Expertise in New York: How local appraisers can leverage geographic advantages for real estate market valuations in Little Falls. National Procurement Map: An analysis of 28,000 new opportunities released nationwide, highlighting top categories like software and facility maintenance. Regional Trends: Deep dives into the buying patterns of the East Coast, South, Midwest, and West Coast. Dear Abby: A guide on how to determine if a contract is worth bidding or a potential time waster. Timestamps 00:00 – Coming up on This Week in Procurement 00:39 – Opportunity 1: Maryland AI Service Contract ($25k–$50k) 01:21 – Opportunity 2: Portland, OR Child Care Service Contract 02:05 – Opportunity 3: California Media Consulting Service ($3.6M) 02:54 – Opportunity 4: Colorado Branded Merchandise & Apparel 03:43 – Opportunity 5: Little Falls, NY Real Estate Valuation 04:24 – Tip of the Week: The Importance of Strategy 04:39 – National Market Overview: 28,000 New Opportunities 05:34 – East Coast Regional Analysis 06:24 – Southern Region Trends: Growth and Outsourcing 07:08 – Midwest Regional Analysis: Operational Stability 07:59 – West Coast Regional Analysis: High Volume & Complexity 09:11 – Dear Abby: Evaluating Contract Worthiness 10:20 – Readiness Assessment and Academy Information

This Week in Procurement | Ep 10: Why Smart Vendors are Bidding in "Underdog" States

Most vendors are chasing the same crowded contracts in the same big states. Meanwhile, government agencies in places like Connecticut, Maine, and Idaho are posting high-value opportunities with almost zero competition. In this episode of This Week in Procurement™, host Abby Souffrant breaks down 28K+ new solicitations released this week. We dive deep into five active contracts, ranging from $45K remote legal work to a $2M election infrastructure deal and reveal why your "positioning" matters more than your "price" when it comes to winning. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The Data Pulse: Why software and pre-procurement (MRB) contracts are surging right now. The "Underdog" Advantage: Why you should look at states like Oregon, Nebraska, and Maine to build your past performance faster. Outcome vs. Service: The simple framing shift that makes buyers feel "safe" saying yes to your proposal. 🔗 Resources & Links Readiness Assessment: Find out if you're actually ready to bid. Under Contract Academy: Get access to the contracts in this episode and more! The Substack Briefing: Get these insights in your inbox every Friday. Connect with Abby: LinkedIn YouTube Disclaimer: Always verify solicitation details directly with the issuing agency before submitting. Data is sourced from public portals and summarized for intelligence purposes only.

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