Lexington, KY – The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) held its third annual Procurement Case Competition at Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Arizona, on February 5-7, 2026. The event was hosted by the W.P. Carey School of Business’ newly established NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management, following a historic gift from NASPO to elevate the role of public procurement.

This competition aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application while attracting the next generation of procurement professionals. This year, undergraduate students from nine universities nationwide participated in the immersive experience to better understand the complexities, challenges, and decision-making processes in public procurement.

Each team of four students had only 24 hours to research, develop, and present a strategic plan to modernize government operations and increase transparency with the selection and implementation of a new eProcurement system. Teams had to address various aspects, including: budget constraints, technical considerations, change management and training, agency alignment and timeline. All groups delivered inspiring ideas and new perspectives, leaving the judges excited about the talent of the future workforce.

“It’s a privilege to return as a judge for NASPO’s Procurement Case Competition. The students’ problem-solving skills and teamwork continue to raise the bar, and the program provides meaningful early exposure to a profession that needs this kind of talent,” said Sherri Maxwell, NASPO President and Chief Procurement Officer of the State of Colorado. “The dedication and creativity on display make judging both rewarding and humbling, and it’s great to see the program continue to grow each year.”

“Through projects like these, we continue our efforts in elevating the public procurement profession by opening students’ minds to the public sector. Thank you to all participating institutions, our state members for serving as judges, and our NASPO staff for making this event a success,” said Brandi Ann Willard, NASPO Director of Strategic Initiatives.

Competition Results:

• First Place: Arizona State University
• Second Place: Wayne State University
• Third Place: Northeastern University
• Finalist: Auburn University
• Most Effective Speaker: Brooks McCoy, Auburn University

Participating Institutions Included: Arizona State University, Auburn University, Brigham Young University, Iowa State University, New Jersey City University, Northeastern University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wayne State University, Western Washington University.

About NASPO: The National Association of State Procurement Officials (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 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. To learn more, please visit www.naspo.org.

Media Contact:

Kate Davila
Director of Marketing and Communications, NASPO
kdavila@naspo.org