IT ALSO DETAILS RECOMMENDED COVERAGE FOR A PURCHASING MANUAL FOR THE CENTRAL PURCHASING AUTHORITY AND TO USING AGENCIES, AND A MANUAL FOR VENDORS WHO SEEK OR WHO DO BUSINESS WITH STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THIS REPORT IS A RESULT OF A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE PURCHASING OFFICIALS TO IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN PURCHASING PROGRAMS AGAINST IMPROPER, UNLAWFUL, OR WASTEFUL PRACTICES. IT IS DIVIDED INTO 17 MAJOR SECTIONS DEALING WITH ACQUISITION, QUALITY ASSURANCE, DISPOSITION OF GOODS, COOPERATIVE PURCHASING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND A REVIEW OF PURCHASING MANUALS. AN APPENDIX CONTAINS 'PROFILES' OF STATE AND LOCAL PURCHASING OPERATIONS, A GLOSSARY OF PUBLIC PURCHASING TERMS, A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND A DISCUSSION OF THE SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY. STATE PROFILES INCLUDE THE COST OF EACH STATE'S PURCHASING PROGRAM, THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS IN THE AGENCY, BASIS FOR SELECTING THE PURCHASING OFFICER, ACCUMULATED PROFESSIONAL YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, BONDING REQUIREMENTS, AND REQUIREMENTS FOR BIDDING LISTS. THE TABLE ALSO GIVES THE DOLLAR VALUE OF CONTRACTS AWARDED BY STATE PURCHASING DEPARTMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1972. TABLES IN THE APPENDIX ALSO GIVE SUCH INFORMATION AS THE CITIES AND COUNTIES WHICH HAVE CENTRALIZED PURCHASING OPERATIONS, THE GOVERNMENTS WHICH ENGAGE IN 'COOPERATIVE' PURCHASING WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS, AND SALARY RANGES FOR CITY AND COUNTY PURCHASING PERSONNEL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...ELW