Lexington, KY – The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) is proud to announce the recipient of the Procurement Impact Award, presented at the NASPO Annual Conference on September 30, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Created in partnership with the National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) and the National Governors Association (NGA), the Procurement Impact Award recognizes a project or state initiative that resulted in collaborative efforts between state procurement offices and state departments/agencies.

This year’s winner is the State of Ohio for their project, Building a Lifesaving Infrastructure: Ohio’s Procurement-Driven Overhaul of 988 Services. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine identified the expansion and improvement of 988 as a statewide priority, emphasizing that every Ohioan must be able to reach lifesaving support when it is needed most.

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) facilitated a highly coordinated process involving the DAS Office of Information Technology, the Ohio Governor’s Office, the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, existing Ohio-based 988 call centers, and technical subject-matter experts. This collaboration ensured the solution reflected statewide needs and aligned with Ohio’s broader crisis-care strategy.

This procurement establishes a modernized, accountable, and Ohio-controlled crisis-response infrastructure, through:

• Seamless call, text, and chat routing,
• Secure transfers between 9-8-8 and 9-1-1,
• Real-time operational and performance data,
• Strengthened coordination across the crisis-care continuum, and
• Compliance with state and federal standards.

Together, these improvements create a resilient crisis-response system that enhances public safety, improves equity, and supports thousands of Ohioans each year.

To learn more about this award, please visit the Awards tab on the NASPO website.

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]