The public procurement landscape in the Netherlands is at a tipping point. This is evident from the 2026 Public Sector Procurement Barometer by Nevi and Significant Synergy. Whereas recent years were dominated by a strong focus on sustainability and social value, the emphasis is now visibly shifting towards cost control, performance and risk management.
This shift is driven by increasing budgetary pressure, staff shortages and geopolitical developments. As a result, public organisations are being forced to make sharper choices: where do we prioritise cost, where do we prioritise quality, and where do we prioritise societal impact?
A new balance between ambition and feasibility
The study, which included responses from 499 procurement professionals, shows that organisations are seeking a more realistic balance between ambitions and what is operationally achievable.
Although sustainability and SROI remain important, attention is increasingly shifting towards cost control and performance improvement. At the same time, contract and supplier management continue to be crucial focus areas for further professionalisation.
AI on the rise, but still in development
Another key development is the growing use of AI within procurement processes. Tools such as Copilot and ChatGPT are being applied more frequently, for example in drafting tender documents and analysing data. However, policy, expertise and structural integration are still lagging behind. Public organisations therefore find themselves in a phase of both experimentation and scaling up.
“Public organisations are seeking a more realistic balance between ambition, feasibility and budget.”
Jeroen Hulsman, Director Knowledge & Portfolio
Persistent challenges in people and processes
In addition to technological developments, staffing challenges continue to play a major role. Attracting and retaining procurement professionals remains difficult, while at the same time a new generation is entering the field, offering opportunities for renewal.
Contract and supplier management also require further development, particularly in the areas of strategic supplier management and performance measurement.
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Nevi Public Sector Procurement Barometer 2026
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