Procurement

Procurement Models Study

This report, conducted by a research team at Arizona State University and generously funded by the Arizona Board of Regents, examines current procurement practices, highlights challenges such as staffing and vendor gaps, and offers actionable strategies to improve efficiency, transparency, and value for taxpayers. It also introduces tools like ROI analysis to help governments make informed, cost-effective decisions.

PROCUREMENT

Counties purchase a wide range of goods and services to keep essential operations running, from road maintenance to public safety equipment.

Learn more about effective procurement practices below.

Download the Executive Summary

Download the Full Report

Watch the Presentation of Findings

Explore the Report

WHAT ARIZONA LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE DOING NOW

Hybrid structures are the norm.
Strategic misalignment limits effectiveness.
Staffing capacity remains limited.
Efficiency pressures shape behavior.
Compliance drives daily practice.
Vendor and technology gaps persist.

USING COOPERATIVE PROCUREMENT IN ARIZONA LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Cooperative procurement is widespread.
Collaboration among governments remains limited but valuable.
Professional networks fill critical gaps.
Outsourcing and shared services offer pragmatic alternatives.

HOW ROI ANALYSIS CAN HELP

Introduces ROI analysis as a tool for evaluating procurement reforms.
Four savings areas: administrative, personnel hour reductions, purchase price reductions, and savings from eliminating inefficiencies.
Explains how to estimate implementation costs using local salary data.
Shows how context affects ROI and decision-making.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Build organizational foundations.
Use data to drive improvement.
Source strategically.
Engage vendors and partners.
Leverage cooperative procurement and peer networks.
Leverage tools and technology.

Creatures of Statute: From Roads to Public Safety: The Hidden Value of Procurement for Arizonans

with Dr. Akheil Singla and Mariah Lindberg

Check out this episode of Creatures of Statute, which unpacks why this work matters, and what it means for communities across Arizona.

Report Chapters

Chapter 1

Executive Summary

What Arizona Local Governments Are Doing Now
Using Cooperative Procurement in Arizona Local Governments
How ROI Analysis Can Help
Recommendations: How to Generate Value for Arizona Residents via Procurement

Chapter 2

Introduction – Generating Value for the People of Arizona through Procurement

Research Activities
Report Structure & Presentation of the Findings
Acknowledgment & Attribution

Chapter 3

Procurement in Arizona Local Governments: Structures, Processes, & Technologies

Structure and Design of Procurement Systems
Staffing and Human Capital: Key Findings
Rules & Codes
Competitive Bidding Processes & Vendor Engagement
Technology, Data & Other Tools in Use
P-Cards

Presentation of Findings

On January 27, 2026 the ASU research team provided a briefing to county and municipal professional staff on the findings of the report. You can access a recording of that meeting here, along with the slide deck available for download.

Download the Briefing Deck