Final answer:
A purchasing order is not used to obtain competitive bids from vendors. It is a document issued by a buyer to a vendor to initiate a purchase.
Step-by-step explanation:
A purchasing order is not used to obtain competitive bids from vendors. A purchasing order is a document issued by a buyer to a vendor to initiate a purchase. It specifies the details of the purchase such as the products or services to be purchased, quantities, prices, and delivery dates. Competitive bidding is typically done through a process called a request for proposal (RFP) or a request for quotation (RFQ), where potential vendors submit their bids or quotes to compete for the buyer's business.