Lexington, KY – The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) is pleased to announce the 2026 George Cronin Awards for Procurement Excellence winners, which were presented at its 2026 Annual Conference Awards dinner on September 30, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Cronin Awards recognize outstanding procurement projects demonstrating innovation, professionalism, and measurable benefits. This year’s finalists were:

• State of Arizona – Advancing Cooperative Reporting: A Data-Driven, Automated Model for State Procurement
• State of Arizona – Flipping the Procurement Classroom: A Blueprint for Scalable State Training Modernization
• State of Michigan – Engage and Retain: Employee Engagement as a Strategic Pillar of Procurement
• State of Michigan – MiProData: From Custom Build to Enterprise Backbone
• State of Washington – Washington’s Bidder Contract Guide: Clear, Transparent Communication to Create Vendor Trust & Public Confidence in State Contracting

After committee review, the 2026 Cronin Award winners are:

• Gold: State of Arizona – Flipping the Procurement Classroom: A Blueprint for Scalable State Training Modernization
• Silver: State of Michigan – Engage and Retain: Employee Engagement as a Strategic Pillar of Procurement
• Bronze: State of Michigan – MiProData: From Custom Build to Enterprise Backbone

For more information about the George Cronin Awards for Procurement Excellence, please visit the Awards tab on the NASPO website. The winning presentations will also be available during the Cronin Webinar Series starting in January 2027. NASPO congratulates these outstanding procurement teams. Their work exemplifies innovation and excellence in public procurement.

About NASPO: NASPO® is a non–profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through the promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies. www.naspo.org

Media Contact:
Kate Davila
Director of Creative Accounts, NASPO
[email protected]