At this year’s NIGP Forum, Edge Public Vice President of Public Sector, Gary Link, sat down with Civic Marketplace CEO, Al Hale, to discuss their growing partnership, the role of artificial intelligence, and the future of cooperative procurement.
Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Take Center Stage
The conference highlighted one theme repeatedly: public procurement professionals are hungry for innovation.
“Many purchasing managers are feeling fear and uncertainty about Artificial Intelligence,” Hale noted. “There’s an unknown of the unknown, and that’s where cooperative programs and technical platforms have an important role. We need to educate, onboard, and ensure public sector agencies stay a step ahead—not left behind.”
Edge Public and Civic Marketplace see Artificial Intelligence not as a disruption to fear but as a tool that, when coupled with cooperative contracts, can help public agencies work more efficiently, comply with regulations, and stretch limited resources further.
Cooperative Purchasing as a Necessity
Today, only 10% of public procurement happens through cooperative contracts—compared to 70–80% in healthcare.
“That means 90% of public entities are still running single solicitations,” Hale explained. “For small municipalities, that’s especially challenging. They don’t always have the technical capacity to solicit advanced tools like AI-driven software on their own. Cooperatives solve this by pooling demand, driving efficiency, and saving agencies time and money.”
With staffing shortages, turnover, and shrinking budgets hitting the public sector, both leaders emphasized that cooperatives are no longer just an option—they’re an urgent necessity.
A Partnership Built on People and Progress
Both Edge Public and Civic Marketplace share a people-first philosophy.
“When we met, it was clear we had a meeting of minds,” Link said. “Civic Marketplace’s methodology—progressive, technology-driven, and AI-focus—aligned perfectly with our vision. Add in their strong relationships with organizations like the Alliance for Innovation, and we knew this was the right partner.”
Hale echoed the sentiment:
“We’re trust-first. We combine best-practice procurement, best-of-breed technology, and 100% legal compliance to deliver great outcomes for our members. With Edge Public, we’re excited to bring Buyers Edge Group’s data analytics and supply chain expertise to the public sector.”
A Symbol of Collaboration
One small but symbolic moment underscored the partnership’s spirit. Originally, Edge Public and Civic Marketplace each had separate booths at the conference. Instead, they combined forces, sharing one unified presence.
“That decision showed our collaboration, our strength, and the continuity we’re building together,” Hale said. “We’re not just talking partnership—we’re living it.”
Looking Ahead
Together, Edge Public and Civic Marketplace plan to expand the cooperative marketplace, onboard new suppliers, and ensure agencies across the country have access to innovative solutions backed by trusted contracts.
“We’re excited to write the next chapter together,” Hale said. “This is about transforming procurement, bringing AI and analytics to the forefront, and ensuring our members get the tools and services they need.”
