This Week in Procurement

Abby Souffrant

This Week in Procurement™ (TWIP) is a weekly broadcast that breaks down what state, local, and education (SLED) agencies are buying, so small & medium sized businesses can stop guessing and start positioning. Each episode delivers a clear snapshot of active opportunities, buying patterns, and practical next steps you can use immediately. Whether you are brand new to government contracting or ready to grow a consistent pipeline. Expect: Top 5 Contracts of the Week Weekly TipsRegional Forecast TrendsDear AbbyNew episodes weekly.

Episodes

  1. This Week in Procurement | Ep 9: The Great Digital Modernization Surge

    12 MAR

    This Week in Procurement | Ep 9: The Great Digital Modernization Surge

    27,583 new government contracts dropped between February 27th and March 5th. Most vendors didn't see a single one. This week Abby breaks down five live SLED opportunities across EdTech, climate communications, AI evaluation, maternal health, and physical security, plus the regional forecast telling you exactly where the money is moving right now. And if you've ever wondered whether to niche down or stay broad, Dear Abby has a direct answer for you. The contracts aren't waiting. Neither should you. In This Episode: [0:00] Intro — Why every region is buying software and AI right now [0:45] Opportunity #1 — Iowa K-12 PE Curriculum ($10K, fast win for shelf-ready EdTech) [2:00] Opportunity #2 — California Climate Outreach ($430K, 2-year statewide engagement) [3:15] Opportunity #3 — Massachusetts AI Decision Support Tools ($1M, global health scope) [4:30] Opportunity #4 — South Dakota Doula Workforce Program (no posted budget, tribal component) [5:45] Opportunity #5 — New Hampshire Exterior Surveillance Replacement (hard deadline: bids due March 30) [7:00] Tip of the Week — The easiest contract to win is the one you already have [7:30] Nationwide Forecast — 27,924 opportunities and what the regional heatmap is telling us [10:30] Dear Abby — "Should I niche down or stay broad to increase my chances?" Resources Mentioned: Government Contracting Readiness Assessment: https://form.jotform.com/260323708054047Under Contract Academy: https://www.skool.com/undercontract/aboutNew episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss an opportunity.

    12 min
  2. Episode 6 Deep Dive | Top 5 Contracts: Snack Machines, Social Work & Why ChatGPT Won't Win You the Bid

    23 FEB

    Episode 6 Deep Dive | Top 5 Contracts: Snack Machines, Social Work & Why ChatGPT Won't Win You the Bid

    This week, Abby Souffrant of A&L Business Solutions is back in the saddle for a deep-dive pod companion to the This Week in Procurement broadcast and she's not holding back. From a surprising (and slightly controversial) vending machine contract in Oxford, Mississippi, to a brand-new $1.2M family support pilot program out of Washington State, Abby walks through five hand-selected government contracting opportunities across the SLED market (State, Local, Education, and beyond). Abby also gets on her soapbox (in the best way) about why agencies are starting to charge for bid documents, how ChatGPT is creating a wave of copy-paste proposals that get everyone disqualified, and why "proof of concept" will always matter more than passion alone in the government contracting arena. Contracts Covered This Week: 📣 Vending Machine Contract - Oxford, Mississippi | Due: March 19, 2026 | $50 bid doc purchase required📣 Basic Needs Support Pilot Program - Washington State | Up to $240K/vendor | Max $1.2M total | Due: TBD (May 2025–June 2027 term)📣 Beach Safety & Ocean Conditions Dashboard - California | Tech/data play | Proposals due March 20, 2026📣 Public Art Master Plan - New Jersey | Budget: $7,500 | Due: February 28, 2026📣 Life Skills Education Trainer - Ohio | 46-page RFP | Due: March 3, 2026Want access to these RFPs and hundreds more? Join the Under Contract Academy

    36 min

About

This Week in Procurement™ (TWIP) is a weekly broadcast that breaks down what state, local, and education (SLED) agencies are buying, so small & medium sized businesses can stop guessing and start positioning. Each episode delivers a clear snapshot of active opportunities, buying patterns, and practical next steps you can use immediately. Whether you are brand new to government contracting or ready to grow a consistent pipeline. Expect: Top 5 Contracts of the Week Weekly TipsRegional Forecast TrendsDear AbbyNew episodes weekly.