Powers and authorities

(a) Authorities under chapter 4 of title 5, United States Code (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), in carrying out the duties specified in section 7, the Special Inspector General shall have the authorities provided under section 406 of title 5, United States Code, including the authorities under subsection (e) of such section. (2) Limitation The Special Inspector General is not authorized to audit or investigate the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)). (b) Audit standards The Special Inspector General shall carry out the duties specified in section 7(a) in accordance with section 404(b)(1) of title 5, United States Code. (c) Expedited hiring authority (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Special Inspector General may exercise any authority provided to the head of a temporary organization under section 3161 of title 5, United States Code, without regard to whether the Office qualifies as a temporary organization under subsection (a) of such section. (2) Limitations With respect to the exercise of authority under subsection (b) of section 3161 of title 5, United States Code, as authorized under paragraph (1)— (A) the Special Inspector General may not make any appointment under that subsection on or after the later of— (i) the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act; or (ii) the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Special Inspector General is confirmed by the Senate; (B) paragraph (2) of that subsection (relating to periods of appointments) shall not apply; and (C) no period of an appointment made under that subsection may extend after the date on which the Office terminates under section 13. (3) Reemployment of annuitants (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), if an annuitant receiving an annuity from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund becomes employed in a position in the Office— (i) the annuity of that annuitant shall continue; and (ii) such reemployed annuitant shall not be considered to be an employee for the purposes of chapter 83 or 84 of title 5, United States Code. (B) Limitations Subparagraph (A) shall apply to— (i) not more than 25 employees of the Office at any particular time, as designated by the Special Inspector General; and (ii) pay periods beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.