Administrative provisions

(a) Staff The Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as the Commission considers appropriate. (b) Applicability of certain civil service laws The personnel of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of basic pay of any employee of the Commission may not exceed the rate of basic pay established for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title. (c) Experts and consultants The Commission may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay established for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title. (d) Administrative support services The Commission may enter into agreements with the Administrator of General Services for procurement of financial and administrative services necessary for the discharge of the duties of the Commission. Payment for such services shall be made by reimbursement from funds of the Commission in such amounts as may be agreed upon by the Chairman of the Commission and the Administrator. (e) Contracts The Commission may— (1) procure supplies, services, and property by contract in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts; and (2) enter into contracts with departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government, State agencies, and private firms, institutions, and agencies, for the conduct of research or surveys, the preparation of reports, and other activities necessary for the discharge of the duties of the Commission, to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts.