Procurement plays a critical role in how government agencies serve the public. However, procurement can be viewed as a hurdle instead of a solution. When approached strategically, it becomes one of the most effective tools agencies have to achieve desired results.

In this episode, Stacey is joined by Dustin Lanier of Civic Initiatives to talk about what happens when procurement is treated as a strategic function that can shape better partnerships and smarter investments. They discuss what it takes to build better solicitations, engage vendors more effectively, and create contracts that support long-term goals. Rather than defaulting to rigid compliance or outdated processes, agencies can use procurement to solve real problems, especially when collaboration between procurement offices and program teams is strong.

How NASPO PASS Works

The NASPO Procurement Assistance Support Services (PASS) contract is one way agencies make procurement a more strategic, responsive part of government operations. It offers rapid, reliable access to trusted procurement support across sourcing, policy, grants, and more. Both Public Knowledge® (PK) and Civic Initiatives are vendors on this contract. We provide complementary services to help agencies rethink governance, write better RFPs, and build reusable contract portfolios.

Our partnership brings practical expertise to every stage of the procurement process—from early planning and strategy to vendor selection and contract management. Civic Initiatives contributes deep knowledge of central procurement operations, and PK adds program-side insight and experience. Together, we help clients design procurements that reflect program goals, engage the right partners, and deliver results.

Ready to rethink your next procurement?

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The Igniting Impact Podcast brings together real stories, bold ideas, and practical takeaways from changemakers leading the way in their fields. Each episode explores strategies that are creating real results for families, programs, and communities nationwide.

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Leaders Behind the Mic

Dustin Lanier, Founder and Principal Consultant, Civic Initiatives

Dustin Lanier, a Certified Public Procurement Officer, founded Civic Initiatives in 2010. Civic Initiatives has supported public procurement offices in in over 35 states, with projects in acquisition operations, strategic transformation, and automation success. In the decade prior to Civic Initiatives, Dustin held a variety of leadership roles related to strategic planning and contracting in Texas state government, including the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the State CIO and the Executive Director of the state Council on Competitive Government, a specialized public procurement function.

As a thought leader in the public sector procurement industry, Dustin has conducted educational sessions on numerous topics from strategic procurement to planning for the next generation of the procurement workforce. Mr. Lanier has delivered several keynote addresses for major regional governmental procurement association events around the country.

Dustin graduated from Duke University with degrees in Public Policy Studies and Latin American Studies and is a husband and father of three sons residing in Austin, TX.

Stacey Moss, President and CEO, Public Knowledge®

Stacey is the President and CEO of Public Knowledge®. She has over 25 years of experience in government, education, and nonprofit organizations. Stacey is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Child Welfare Law Specialist (CWLS). She is an expert in training development, leadership coaching, organizational change management, and program development. Stacey has delivered over 200 training sessions on topics like child welfare, procurement, and leadership. She has managed more than 50 projects and portfolios.

Stacey holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Wyoming. She is recognized for her work in child welfare law, program management, and community engagement.

About the Podcast

Launched in 2023, the Igniting Impact Podcast highlights our client’s and partner’s important work. We hope that this podcast drives impactful conversations that foster connections and progress in the field.  One of our core values at Public Knowledge® is Impact. We created this podcast around this fundamental principle because it is essential to our work. Impact to us means, “We approach every engagement with our energy focused on identifying the right goals, outcomes, and strategies. And we each have a personal responsibility to make a positive impact on our projects and our world.”