How Sourcing and Contracts Are Improving Government Procurement Efficiency: A Success Story from Multnomah County

In today’s public sector environment, procurement leaders must strike a careful balance — ensuring compliance with an ever-evolving web of federal, state, and local regulations, improving operational efficiency, and maintaining transparency, all while working within constrained budgets and managing legacy systems.

Multnomah County encompasses much of the Portland metro area, and its procurement operations play a vital role in delivering essential public services. To meet growing demands and reduce operational risk, the County is taking a proactive approach to modernization. By implementing JAGGAER’s digital procurement solutions, the County is transforming how it manages sourcing, compliance, and contract workflows across departments.

The Hidden Costs of Manual Procurement Processes

Traditional procurement systems can leave agencies exposed to serious risks:

• Non-compliance with federal, state, and local regulations can lead to fines, failed audits, or loss of public trust.
• Increased audit exposure due to fragmented records or inconsistent documentation.
• Process inefficiencies and approval delays that slow down essential services.
• Lack of visibility across departments, impeding effective tracking of spending and contract status.

These challenges extend far beyond internal operations — they carry significant implications for the communities public agencies serve. Ineffective procurement practices can result in delayed infrastructure improvements, engagement with unqualified or high-risk suppliers, and a diminished ability to respond effectively in times of crisis. Ultimately, the cost of inefficiency or non-compliance is borne by taxpayers, impacting public trust, service delivery, and long-term fiscal responsibility.

Managing Procurement Risk in Government: Why Digital Transformation Matters

Beyond compliance, public agencies must contend with a wide range of risks—political, financial, ethical, operational, and more. To navigate this complexity, many are turning to digital procurement solutions that provide greater visibility, accountability, and control across the sourcing and contract lifecycle.

A Real-World Example: Multnomah County’s Procurement Transformation
By implementing JAGGAER’s Sourcing and Contract solutions, Multnomah County achieved:

1. Improved transparency and policy alignment through centralized documentation.
2. Custom request forms that guide departments through compliant processes.
3. Proactive risk identification early in the sourcing cycle.
4. Faster, more accountable approvals across stakeholders.
5. Continuity and resilience during emergencies, such as COVID-19 disruptions.
   This case exemplifies more than technology adoption—it reflects a strategic approach to building resilient, transparent, and efficient procurement operations within the public sector.

Learn how Multnomah County streamlined procurement workflows, reduced manual effort, accelerated approvals, and strengthened compliance–building a more transparent and resilient public procurement process.