According to the PMBOK® Guide, the process referred to as Administer Procurements (now commonly termed Control Procurements in the most recent editions) is the process of managing procurement relationships, monitoring contract performance, making changes and corrections as appropriate, and closing out contracts.

Authorizing Contractor Work: This is a core function of contract administration. It involves ensuring that the seller ' s work is started at the appropriate time as defined by the project schedule and contract terms. This often involves a work authorization system to ensure that work is done by the right organization, at the right time, and in the right proper sequence.

Key Activities in this Process:

Performance Reporting: Evaluating the seller ' s performance to ensure they are meeting contractual obligations.

Payment Systems: Processing invoices and making payments to the contractor.

Change Control: Managing any requested changes to the contract or the scope of work provided by the seller.

Inspections and Audits: Verifying that the contractor ' s deliverables meet the required quality standards.

The Goal: The primary focus is ensuring that both the buyer and the seller meet their respective contractual obligations.

Comparison with other options:

A. Negotiating the contract: This is a tool and technique used in the Conduct Procurements process (Executing phase), which occurs before a contract is signed and administered.

C. Developing the statement of work: This is an activity performed during the Plan Procurement Management process (Planning phase) to define the portion of the project scope to be included within the related contract.

D. Establishing evaluation criteria: This is also part of the Plan Procurement Management process. These criteria are used later to rate or score seller proposals during the Conduct Procurements process.