What is the primary purpose of establishing a quality assurance surveillance plan in contracts?

The primary purpose of establishing a quality assurance surveillance plan in contracts is to evaluate contractor performance. This plan is designed to systematically assess how well the contractor is meeting the contractual requirements and to ensure that the deliverables adhere to specified standards of quality. By implementing such a plan, organizations can monitor ongoing performance, identify issues early, and take corrective actions if necessary, ensuring that the project remains on track and that quality is maintained throughout the contract period.

The other options focus on aspects of contract management but do not capture the essence of the quality assurance surveillance plan. For instance, outlining payment terms and defining project scope are administrative aspects that do not directly address the evaluation of quality or performance. Setting deadlines is critical for project management but does not relate to the assessment of how well the contractor executes their work or meets quality standards. Thus, evaluating contractor performance is the central role of the quality assurance surveillance plan.