Let’s Chat: Modernizing Procurement for Government 3.0

In this interview, Wallace Sermons II, the Chief Procurement Officer for the Maryland Department of General Services shares how procurement is evolving beyond cost control to become a strategic driver of government performance. He explains that Government 3.0 is about combining people, technology, and data to make better procurement decisions that focus on outcomes rather than simply purchasing goods and services. 

The conversation explores the importance of building a culture that embraces innovation, collaborating with industry partners, and modernizing processes incrementally instead of attempting large-scale transformation all at once. He also discusses how AI and emerging technologies can improve procurement by automating routine work, identifying trends, and supporting more informed decision-making—all while maintaining human oversight and reducing bias. Through practical examples from Maryland, he demonstrates how data-driven procurement can improve efficiency, shorten procurement timelines, and deliver greater value to citizens.