Summary
Explore how GovTech software for public procurement empowers agencies to overcome budget uncertainty, streamline sourcing, contracting, and invoicing, and drive better outcomes for the public sector.
GovTech Software for Public Procurement: Navigating Budget Uncertainty and Technology Adoption
2026 is right around the corner and public procurement teams are searching more than ever for ways to continue purchasing the goods and services their communities need. With procurement teams facing unprecedented budget uncertainty and climbing costs, they’re struggling to maintain their current pace. While the flow of essential goods and services must continue, procurement teams are being challenged to press forward without overburdening staff or undercutting the community.
According to J.P. Morgan, global inflation is projected to increase to 3.4%. While this isn’t as high as the 7% peak in 2021, it is still higher than pre-pandemic inflation rate levels and is continuing to cause concern.
The phrase “doing more with less” may feel like it has been exhausted, but it still resonates strongly. While procurement teams are told to “maximize efficiency” and “create synergies”, what’s really on many minds is finding procurement processes that allows teams to leave work on time rather than spending extra hours of the day crunching numbers and trying to make puzzle pieces fit together. That’s why teams are turning to a method of help that doesn’t involve adding more staff, doesn’t grow tired, stop working at 5 p.m., or need rest breaks. That method is technology.
Does Technology Really Help Procurement Teams?
For years, the world has been talking about technology. “Buy [this next big thing] and your quality of life will increase by X%.” Commercials constantly promote the next generation of phones or the newest AI tool on the market. And though many people are tired of being told how AI can supposedly make life effortless, there are some opportunities to enhance the mundane areas of work without going all-in on AI. In fact, AI and automation tools can be used to speed up day-to-day procurement tasks that often take hours, which in turn frees up time for more useful and community impacting work.
The goal is not to replace the human mind or create a world like that of WALL-E, but rather the opposite. At Euna Solutions, we want to help public sector teams spend less of their day stressing over tight budgets and more of their day working on deep, thought-provoking strategies that move the needle forward.
What Features Should Procurement Managers Look for in GovTech Software to Prepare for 2026 Budget Constraints?
Rather than spending hours trying to make a square peg fit a round hole on a budget spreadsheet, we want to help you purchase with confidence that you are compliant, on-contract, and at-budget.
But the question is: what features should you actually look for in GovTech software?
A microchip that memorizes everything about you so you can have your own personal AI assistant following you around all day? Yeah, we’re not going that far. Just like you, we prefer to take a practical approach that slowly integrates technology into life where needed, without overstepping.
A few ways we do that are through:
- Centralized Sourcing: Agencies can see 5-10% cost savings simply by increasing visibility and encouraging stronger supplier participation.
- Better Contracting: Agencies report up to 2x faster contract cycle times when processes have better document management and integrated task management.
- Dispersed Shopping: Agencies average 2-5% cost savings on purchases when approvals, workflows, and vendor data are streamlined in a marketplace.
- Automated Invoicing: Agencies report 85% fewer late payments when their invoicing process automates validation and digital approvals are in place.
When sourcing, contracting, purchasing, and invoicing work together in a connected system, procurement becomes faster, more transparent, and significantly more cost-effective.
Proof in Practice: How Chicago Public Schools Saved $1.7M with Euna Procurement
Chicago Public Schools (CPS), a large urban district, has a mission to provide a high-quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Behind the scenes, the procurement team works hard to provide the goods and services the district needs to accomplish this mission in the most effective way, including implementing procurement solutions into their everyday workflow.
By conducting all solicitations through Euna Procurement, CPS manages an impressive average of 566 solicitation projects annually. Additionally, their integration of selected suppliers into their marketplace solution ensures that staff can seamlessly purchase off approved contracts without confusion or compliance concerns.
- 2.8M pages of paper saved since 2021
- 2.5X faster evaluation time
- $437K saved in one year with AI-Powered Savings Advisor
- $1.7M overall savings using AI-Powered Savings Advisor
- 630 suppliers integrated into their Marketplace
Your Action Plan: Building a Bulletproof Business Case for Procurement Tech
Before you can actually buy the software, you must gain buy-in from your stakeholders, and that often involves building a solid business case.
When building a business case to buy eProcurement software, you want to make sure all your bases are covered, which involves:
- Identifying Your Stakeholders
- Learning What Messaging Resonates Most
- Outlining Process Improvements
- Quantifying the Benefits and Forecast the Impact
For example, you might want to introduce the concept that procurement software can help you achieve cost savings in 2026.
Your stakeholder may be a finance leader or procurement director, so your value based messaging should focus on:
- Increased Competition: Tap into the largest and fastest growing supplier network to increase competition and drive down pricing while securing quality goods and services.
- Optimized Spend: Maximize every dollar spent with an AI-Powered Savings Advisor that optimizes shopping carts for maximum savings in real-time.
- Reduced Overhead: By leveraging software to maximize staff impact and productivity, agencies can reduce the fees of paper based & manual processes.
To tie it all together, show a forecasted ROI impact of implementing this software.
Download our full guide to Building a Business Case for eProcurement for more specific examples, tangible statistics, and a sample basic cost justification you can customize for your own proposal.
Mistakes to Avoid: The Hidden Costs of Delaying Modernization
When budgets are stagnant (like they are right now), it’s natural to pause on big decisions. However, waiting too long to update procurement processes and technology often costs more in the long run. Let’s take a look at three of the most common traps procurement teams fall into and how you can avoid them as you work on modernizing your processes.
Mistake #1: Treating Procurement as a Cost Center
Some people see procurement teams as just a department that spends money, and they don’t see the potential for those teams to drive value. What many don’t realize is that procurement teams have access to powerful data about government spending. With the right tool set, that data can be used to forecast trends, negotiate better contracts, and even help leadership plan smarter budgets. The ripple effect this has across the agency and the community is great. Staying stuck in the “cost center” mindset is a missed opportunity for procurement to become a true strategic partner.
Mistake #2: Underestimating Compliance Risk
Audits have become more rigorous, and compliance has never been more important. Manual processes that worked in the past may no longer suffice in a modern world where fines, project delays, or reputational damage loom. The good news is that automation doesn’t just make compliance easier; it makes compliance consistent, allowing you to focus on high-value tasks instead of paperwork.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the Power of Data
We’ve talked a lot about data, and for good reason. Good decisions are data-based, but how practical is it to analyze data with your current process? If you data lives in spreadsheets, emails, or legacy systems, it’s nearly impossible to see the full picture. That means you may be missing clear opportunities to consolidate spend, catch cost leaks, or benchmark supplier performance. The right procurement technology removes all these barriers, though, helping you identify savings, justify spend, and plan with confidence.
Conclusion
The looming budget cuts and the “do more with less” mindset don’t have to feel as daunting as they once did. While those challenges are still present, teams are now more equipped with the tools and resources they need to combat the challenges, especially with the rise of practical, AI-powered processes.
Again, we’re not suggesting you install a personal robot that watches you all day long (unless that’s your thing). But embracing some AI-powered solutions in your workday can help you move forward and thrive in a world that’s constantly changing and asking more from the individual.
Key Takeaways
- Budget Pressures: Public procurement faces ongoing budget uncertainty and inflation challenges.
- Technology Value: GovTech software for public procurement streamlines sourcing, contracting, shopping, and invoicing.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Automated tools enable better analysis, compliance, and spend optimization.
- Business Case Importance: Building a strong case for procurement tech is vital for stakeholder buy-in.
- Avoiding Delays: Postponing modernization increases long-term costs and risks.
FAQ
What is GovTech software for public procurement?
GovTech software for public procurement refers to digital tools and platforms that help government agencies manage sourcing, contracting, purchasing, and invoicing more efficiently.
How does GovTech software help with budget uncertainty?
GovTech software enables agencies to optimize spend, increase transparency, and automate manual tasks, making it easier to manage limited budgets and improve purchasing outcomes.
What features should I look for in GovTech solutions?
Look for features such as centralized sourcing, automated invoicing, integrated contract management, and marketplace capabilities to streamline procurement processes.
How can I build a business case for procurement technology?
Identify stakeholders, quantify benefits, outline process improvements, and forecast ROI to create a compelling argument for investment in GovTech software for public procurement.
Why is delaying modernization risky for procurement teams?
Delaying the adoption of GovTech solutions can result in higher long-term costs, increased compliance risks, and missed opportunities for savings and operational improvements.
