On this rare solo episode of Decisions That Matter, host Alex Stonehouse dives into the results of the 2021 Winter Procurement Trends Survey to analyze the current trends in procurement, and the changes in priority since the previous survey from Fall of 2020 according to public procurement leaders from across the country. You can see the results of the newest Winter 2021 survey below.

In February of 2021, our team reached out to procurement officials across state and local governments, higher education, non-profits, and healthcare to survey their status and future outlook as the first quarter of the year wraps up. The results of the survey are in, and we are excited to share our top findings with you below.

Which best describes the type of public sector organization you work for?
City Government (29.9%)
County Government (29.9%)
State Government (19.4%)
Higher Education & K-12 (15.0%)
Utilities & Special Districts (4.5%)
Non-profit (1.5%%)

What are the most important topics your organization is focused on over the next six months?
Showing top 7 responses and change from the previous survey: (% surveyed this quarter) (% change vs. last quarter) (rank change details) (rank change)
New social distancing and remote work policies (46.3%) (+9.1% QoQ) (2nd to 1st) (+1)
Cooperative Purchasing (44.8%) (+7.6% QoQ) (3rd to T-2nd) (+1)
eProcurement (44.8%) (+23.9% QoQ) (6th to T-2nd) (+4)
Staffing Levels and/or Staff Ability (43.3%) (+8.6% QoQ) (5th to 4th)
Savings (40.3%) (+3.1% QoQ) (4th to 5th) (-1)
Procurement office budget/funding (34.3%) (-7.6% QoQ) (1st to 6th) (-5)
MWBEs / HUBs (16.9%) (NR to T-7th) (+1)
Navigating Politics (16.9%) (NR to T-7th) (+1)
Inventory Management and Warehousing (14.9%) (-6.0% QoQ) (7th to NR) (-1)

Which goods and services are most important to you in response to COVID-19?
Showing top 7 responses and change from the previous survey: (% surveyed this quarter) (% change vs. last quarter) (rank change details) (rank change)
Cleaning and disinfectant supplies (77.6%) (-8.4% QoQ) (1st) (No change)
Medical supplies including PPE and First Aid (53.7%) (+4.9% QoQ) (2nd) (No change)
Remote Work Cybersecurity (37.3%) (NR to 3rd) (+4)
Social distancing and separation technology (29.9%) (-0.3% QoQ) (3rd to T-4th) (-1)
Remote work IT hardware (29.9%) (+4.3% QoQ) (4th to T-4th) (No change)
Remote work video technology (26.9%) (+10.6 QoQ) (6th) (No change)
Remote work IT software (23.9%) (+7.6% QoQ) (5th to 7th) (-2)

Do you anticipate a budget shortfall within the next six months?
Yes (37.3%) (-18.5% QoQ)
No (62.7%) (+18.5% QoQ)

Do you anticipate being understaffed within the next six months?
Yes (43.3%) (+3.8% QoQ)
No (56.7%) (-3.8% QoQ)

Have you worked with a new supplier to procure COVID-19-related goods or services since the start of 2020?
Yes (56.7%) (+3.2% QoQ)
No (43.3%) (-3.2% QoQ)

Generally, how would you rate the performance of your existing, pre-COVID suppliers during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Great (25.4%) (+13.8% QoQ)
Good (53.7%) (+2.5 QoQ)
Average (19.4%) (-8.5% QoQ)
Below Average (1.5%) (-7.8% QoQ)
Poor (0%) (No Change)

Thank you again to everyone that participated in the survey! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and insights with us. For more information about suppliers that can help you solve the top concerns outlined above, visit Procurated.com to sign-up and search our review database by commodity or supplier name and find the perfect supplier for your government.