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Deal! Issue 1 (2026): from grid congestion to AI, from China to resilience
The first edition of Deal! in 2026 has been published. This issue explores how procurement professionals are dealing with structural scarcity, geopolitical dependencies, new ethical considerations and increasing pressure on people and organisations. From grid congestion and China to AI, public procurement and mental resilience: Deal! 1 shows how the profession continues to mature.
In his column, Ron Stoop explores how grid congestion is forcing organisations to adopt smart, digital solutions — and why constraints can actually accelerate innovation. At the same time, an in‑depth analysis shows just how significant Europe’s dependence on China still is, and why decoupling is far more complicated in practice than it sounds.
At the intersection of policy and practice, you’ll read how Rijkswaterstaat is recalibrating its procurement strategy, why the Dutch public broadcaster NOS is making its tendering processes simpler and more accessible, and how relative evaluation in public procurement often influences outcomes more than people realise. Nevi also introduces an updated code of conduct for procurement, offering guidance on ethical dilemmas related to sustainability, AI and geopolitics.
The human side of the procurement function also receives attention. Researchers show why mental resilience and creativity are becoming strategic advantages, while Eyes on Costs provides a concrete cost analysis revealing where price pressure really originates. Finally, in his column, Freek Andriesse reflects on the promise of AI and the Solow paradox: technology alone is not enough without experience.
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