Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 90 Part 1.djvu/517

 PUBLIC LAW 94-282—MAY 11, 1976

90 STAT. 467

(c) In carrying out his functions under this Act, the Director is authorized to— (1) appoint such officers and employees as he may deem necessary to perform the functions now or hereafter vested in him and to prescribe their duties; (2) obtain services as authorized by section 3109 of title 5 of the United States Code, at rates not to exceed the rate prescribed for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule by section 5332 of title 5 of the United States Code; and 5 USC 5332 note. (3) enter into contracts and other arrangements for studies, analyses, and other services with public agencies and with private persons, organizations, or institutions, and make such payments as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act without legal consideration, without performance bonds, and without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5). COORDINATION' W I T H OTHER

ORGANIZATIONS

SEC. 208. (a) In exercising his functions under this Act, the 42 USC 6617. Director shall— (1) work in close consultation and cooperation with the Domestic Council, the National Security Council, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Council of Economic Advisers, the Office of Management and Budget, the National Science Board, and the Federal departments and agencies; (2) utilize the services of consultants, establish such advisory panels, and, to the extent practicable, consult with State and local governmental agencies, with appropriate professional groups, and with such representatives of industry, the universities, agriculture, labor, consumers, conservation organizations, and such other public interest groups, organizations, and individuals as he deems advisable; (3) hold such hearings in various parts of the Nation as he Hearings, deems necessary, to determine the views of the agencies, groups, and organizations referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection and of the general public, concerning national needs and trends in science and technology; and (4) utilize with their consent to the fullest extent possible the services, personnel, equipment, facilities, and information (includingxstatistical information) of public and private agencies and organizations, and individuals, in order to avoid duplication of effort and expense, and may transfer funds made available pursuant to this Act to other Federal agencies as reimbursement for the utilization of such personnel, services, facilities, equipment, and information. (b) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the Executive Branch of the Government, including any independent agency, is authorized to furnish the Director such information as the Director deems necessary to carry out his functions under this Act. (c) Upon request, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is authorized to assist the Director with respect to carrying out his activities conducted under paragraph (5) of section 205(a) of this Act.

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