The state, local, and education (SLED) market has never been more complex, competitive, or fast-moving. The opportunity here is unprecedented, as IT spend is expected to reach over $200 billion by 2030. Vendors who thrive now are those who see opportunities before they’re published, understand buyer intent before the RFP drops, and align messaging to decision-makers before their competitors.
That’s why 2025 marks a turning point for Industry Navigator, the only sales intelligence platform built exclusively for SLED. Powered by the Center for Digital Government, this year’s updates have turned Navigator from an intelligence platform into a strategy and growth engine — equipping sales and marketing teams to move from reactive pursuit to proactive dominance.
The 2025 Breakthroughs: What’s New Inside Navigator
1. Chat with RFP — AI Meets Procurement
It’s the update everyone’s talking about: Chat with RFP, an AI-powered feature that lets users converse directly with bid documents. Ask questions like:
- “What are the submission deadlines?”
- “Are there disqualifying requirements?”
- “How are proposals scored?”
2. Integrated Industry Masterclass — Sales Enablement Built In
Sales training and intelligence finally live on the same platform.
The Industry Masterclass — a 12-module resource built by former CIOs and procurement chiefs — is now embedded directly in Navigator and free for members.
Whether you're new to the SLED selling process or looking to learn from proven experts, this resource is an invaluable guide to help elevate your success.
Your team can now move seamlessly from identifying opportunities to understanding how government actually buys — funding cycles, procurement rules, and the political realities that define every deal.
3. Industry partnerships - Improving Navigator
In 2025, e.Republic strengthened its Industry Navigator platform through groundbreaking partnerships with two of the most trusted names in public-sector intelligence.
Our exclusive collaboration with Cloverleaf AI delivers developing opportunity signals through cutting-edge AI analysis of public meetings, giving users unprecedented foresight into emerging government priorities. Meanwhile, our integration with Grants Office LLC, the nation’s leader in grant intelligence, empowers users to identify and act on grant-aligned opportunities—all within the Navigator platform.
These enhancements reflect our commitment to aligning with the gold standards of data and insight to equip our members with a singular, streamlined source of actionable SLED market intelligence.
And we’re just getting started: even more strategic partnerships are on the horizon for 2026, ensuring Navigator continues to lead the market in both depth and innovation.
4. Vendor Payment Data — The Transparency Advantage
For years, govtech sellers have asked: “Who’s winning — and how?”
Navigator now delivers answers through a new Vendor Payments database, providing unprecedented visibility. Track spending patterns, benchmark competitors, and identify where new vendors are emerging — all from verified financial data.
With our expanded coverage — major localities and 33 states, we have over 15 million IT-related transactions — we are giving Navigator members an unmatched view of how agencies are allocating funds and to whom.
5. Enhanced Budget Reports — Your Early-Opportunity Engine
Budget reports shouldn’t just sit on a shelf — they should surface opportunities before your competitors even know they exist. Navigator’s enhanced budget reports scan data from all 50 states, do the analysis for you, and deliver insights in a standardized, easy-to-use format that’s ready the moment you need it.
Each report includes:
- Clear agency-level summaries and functional breakdowns
- Developing Opportunity callouts that highlight where new or shifting funds may lead to upcoming RFPs
- Near-real-time updates shortly after budgets are enacted
- An Excel file that lets you filter, sort, and integrate state budget data directly into your CRM or other tools.
2026 Sneak Peek: What’s Next
The next evolution of Navigator is all about the experience.
In 2026, we will continue to innovate and redefine how users discover, learn, and act inside the platform.
AI-Powered Search & Discovery (Q1 2026)
Navigator’s upcoming AI-powered search will enable natural, conversational exploration across critical elements, such as procurements, contracts, contacts, and news — not just RFPs.
Ask questions like:
“Show me upcoming cybersecurity opportunities in Texas.”
“Which agencies increased cloud spending this fiscal year?”
This global search capability will unify more than a decade of Navigator’s data (procurements, contracts, contacts, and news) under a single AI layer — giving users the ability to uncover insights in real time, and summarize what matters most.
It’s the next step toward a fully conversational Navigator, where strategy starts with a single question.
The Stakes Have Changed
The SLED buying process isn’t slowing down — but your intelligence can speed up.
The govtech market is consolidating, procurement cycles are tightening, and relationship-building now begins with fluency in market and account intelligence.
Industry Navigator’s 2025 enhancements are setting the pace to ensure procurement can be the new frontline of growth for companies offering solutions to the state, local, and education markets.
If you sell to SLED, this drives your playbook.
👉 Try Industry Navigator today — and turn data into deals before your competitors even log in.
