113 STAT. 94 PUBLIC LAW 106-31—MAY 21, 1999 (i) may contract with nongovernmental organizations having expertise in carrying out the activities described in subsection (a) for the purpose of carrying out the administrative functions of the program (other than the awarding of grants); and (ii) may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations (or, in the case of the Librarian of Congress, any requirement for competition in hiring), appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the administering agency to perform its duties under this section. (B) WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING.— The Librarian of Congress, after consultation with the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, may enter into contracts under subparagraph (A)(i) to carry out the pilot program during fiscal year 1999 without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes or any other requirement for competitive contracting or the providing of notice of contracting opportunities. (c) USE OF FUNDS. — Grants aweirded under subsection (b) sheJl be used to pay— (1) the costs and expenses incurred by each program participant in traveling between Russia and the United States and in traveling within the United States; (2) the costs of providing lodging in the United States to each program peirticipant, whether in public accommodations or in private homes; and (3) such additional administrative expenses incurred by organizations in c£UTying out the program as the head of the administering agency may prescribe. (d) APPLICATION. — (1) IN GENERAL.— Each organization in the United States desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the head of the administering agency at such time, in such mginner, and accompanied by such information as such head may reasonably require. (2) CONTENTS. — Each application submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall— (A) describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought; (B) include the number of program participants to be supported; (C) describe the qualifications of the individuals who wiH be participating in the program; and (D) provide such additional assurances as the head of the administering agency determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section. (3) WAIVER.— The Librarieui of Congress may waive the requirement of this subsection in carrying out the pilot program during fiscal year 1999. Establishment. (e) ADVISORY BOARD.— (1) IN GENERAL.— T here is established a Russian Leadership Program Advisory Board which shall advise the head of the administering agency as to the ceinying out of the permanent program during fiscal years 2000 and thereaftier.
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