November
Newsletter 2026
eProcurement Modernization Project
Embedded Files
November
Project Status Update
Project Status Update
The eProcurement Modernization Project continues to move forward with project planning and workflow walkthroughs. Building on our recent workshops with state agencies and institutions of higher education (IHEs), the team is continuing to learn more about procurement processes, operational needs, and the different ways organizations conduct purchasing activities across Colorado.
Current discussions include statewide contracts, agency-specific workflows, and work across teams to complete procurement activities. Understanding these processes, including where organizations share common needs and where greater flexibility may be required, is an important part of planning for a statewide procurement solution.
The team continues to collaborate with project partners and stakeholders to better understand existing challenges and identify opportunities for more consistent, efficient, and user-friendly procurement processes. We also encourage stakeholders to take advantage of our new bookable appointments to schedule time directly with the project team, ask questions, share feedback, or discuss their organization's procurement needs.
Procurement Modernization Is a Team Effort
Procurement Modernization Is a Team Effort
A statewide procurement system serves many different people, each with their own responsibilities and perspectives. Procurement professionals, program staff, finance teams, technology teams, agency leadership, and suppliers all interact with procurement processes in different ways.
That's why meaningful stakeholder participation is an important part of procurement modernization.
Through workshops, meetings, and ongoing conversations, the eProcurement Modernization Project team has been learning how agencies and institutions of higher education manage procurement activities, where their needs overlap, and where their processes differ. These discussions help the team understand the practical considerations involved in supporting a broad range of organizations through a statewide system. They also create opportunities for participants to learn from one another and identify common challenges.
Modernization is not simply a technology project. It is an opportunity to examine how people, processes, and tools work together to support public purchasing.
Thank you to everyone who has shared their time, experience, and perspectives with the project team. Your participation continues to play an important role in this work.
Bridging Business Needs & Technology Solutions
Bridging Business Needs & Technology Solutions
When discussing procurement modernization, it's easy to focus on technology. But before a system can effectively support a process, it's important to understand how that process works and what the people using it need to accomplish.
Business and technology perspectives each contribute something different. Business stakeholders bring firsthand knowledge of procurement activities, organizational requirements, and the challenges users encounter. Technology teams bring expertise in systems, technical capabilities, and the considerations involved in supporting business processes through technology.
Neither perspective tells the whole story on its own.
For example, a procurement process that appears straightforward on paper may involve multiple approvals, specialized documentation, or coordination across several teams. Understanding those details helps clarify what a system may need to support. Likewise, understanding available technical capabilities can help stakeholders consider different ways of approaching familiar processes.
Bringing these perspectives together is an important part of procurement modernization. It creates opportunities to identify shared needs, better understand operational differences, and consider how processes and technology can support one another.
As the eProcurement Modernization Project continues discussions with agencies and institutions of higher education, both business and technology perspectives remain valuable to understanding the needs of Colorado's procurement community.
Learning From Other States: Perspectives on Procurement
Learning From Other States: Perspectives on Procurement
States across the country are taking different approaches to modernizing public procurement. While their systems and priorities vary, their experiences highlight several important considerations, from making opportunities easier for suppliers to find to preparing users for new technology.
Washington: Making Procurement Opportunities More Accessible
Washington State uses its Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) to help suppliers find public contracting opportunities. Businesses can register, select commodity codes relevant to their products or services, and receive notifications about future bid opportunities. Washington also publishes information about anticipated purchases, giving suppliers additional visibility into potential contracting opportunities.
Sources: Washington Dept of Enterprise Services: Register for Bid Opportunities & Bid Opportunities
Utah: Supporting Users Through Training and Guidance
Utah's approach highlights the importance of helping people navigate procurement technology. As the state transitioned to its U3P-Bonfire platform in 2025, it provided separate training resources for agency staff and vendors. These include guidance on registration, submitting proposals, evaluating solicitations, and managing procurement activities. Utah's resources illustrate how user support is an important consideration alongside system functionality.
Sources: Utah Division of Purchasing: Training for Agencies, Utah Division of Purchasing: Training for Vendors
South Carolina: Taking a Phased Approach
South Carolina is preparing to launch SCPro, its new statewide procurement portal, in November 2026. Rather than introducing every capability at once, the state has outlined a phased rollout. The first release is scheduled to focus on supplier account management, electronic solicitation responses, and access to active contracts. South Carolina has also published transition guidance and training information to help suppliers prepare.
Sources: South Carolina Division of Procurement Services: SCPro Supplier Information & Supplier Registration
What Can Colorado Learn?
These examples demonstrate that procurement modernization involves more than selecting technology. Supplier access, user readiness, and the sequence of introducing new capabilities all influence how organizations experience change.
As Colorado continues conversations with agencies and institutions of higher education, learning about other states' approaches provides useful perspectives on the opportunities and practical considerations involved in statewide procurement modernization.
eProc Partner Spotlight: Barbara Tiller
eProc Partner Spotlight: Barbara Tiller
This month, we're recognizing Barbara (Barb) Tiller, Supplier Diversity Liaison with the Office of the State Controller at the Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA), for her continued support of the eProcurement Modernization Project.
👥 As an active project partner, Barb has participated in meetings, shared insights from her experience, and helped the team better understand existing procurement workflows and operational considerations. Her perspective and willingness to collaborate have provided valuable input throughout the project.
📰 Another important contribution has been helping expand the project's reach by coordinating communications through the State Purchasing and Contracts Office (SPCO), including newsletter distribution and project announcements. Thanks in part to Barb's efforts, our newsletter has reached an average of 100 additional people per month since SPCO began supporting its distribution! This expanded reach helps keep more stakeholders informed and connected to the project.
💡 Barb also recommended creating our Stay Connected sign-up form, giving interested stakeholders another way to receive project updates, express their interest, and connect with the team. Know someone who would benefit from staying informed about the eProcurement Modernization Project? Please encourage them to sign up and stay connected!
Successful modernization depends on more than implementing new technology. People need opportunities to stay informed, participate, and prepare for change. In fact, research from Prosci shows that initiatives with excellent change management are seven times more likely to meet their objectives than those with poor change management. Barb's contributions support these important efforts by strengthening communication, expanding awareness, and creating more opportunities for stakeholders to stay involved. We appreciate Barb's insight, initiative, and continued partnership!
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