Maverick spend, sometimes Rogue Spending, Non-compliant Purchasing, Off-contract Buying, Ad-hoc Purchasing or Independent Sourcing, refers to the practice of purchasing goods or services outside of the established procurement policies, procedures, and controls of an organization. This can include purchases made without proper authorization, outside of approved supplier contracts, or without the use of preferred suppliers.

Maverick spend can lead to a range of negative outcomes for an organization, including higher costs, reduced process efficiency, decreased compliance, and increased risk. When purchases are made outside of the established procurement process, it can be difficult for procurement professionals to manage supplier performance effectively, negotiate favorable pricing, or identify opportunities for cost savings.

To address maverick spend, organizations typically implement policies and procedures to promote compliance with procurement policies, and specialized software to help monitor and manage procurement activities. This can include the use of spend analytics, supplier management systems, and e-procurement platforms to streamline the procurement process and improve visibility into purchasing activities.

By reducing maverick spend and increasing compliance with procurement policies, organizations can improve their financial performance, reduce waste and inefficiency, and better manage risk.

An invitation to tender (ITT) is a formal invitation to suppliers or vendors to submit a bid for the provision of goods, services, or works. An ITT typically outlines the requirements and specifications of the project, the evaluation criteria, and the submission process for interested parties.

Organizations issue an ITT when they want to procure goods, services or works through a competitive bidding process. The ITT process ensures that the organization can evaluate bids from multiple suppliers and select the best offer based on price, quality, and other factors.

The ITT typically includes information on the scope of work, technical specifications, delivery requirements, and any other relevant details. Interested parties must submit their proposals by a specified deadline, and the organization evaluates the bids based on the criteria outlined in the ITT. The organization may then negotiate with one or more suppliers before selecting the successful bidder and awarding the contract.

An ITT is a common tool used in public procurement and is often required by law or regulation. However, it may also be used by private sector organizations to ensure that they receive competitive bids and select the best supplier for their needs.