((a)) ** Service as Chairman of Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology and as member of Domestic Council** The Director shall, in addition to the other duties and functions set forth in this subchapter—

((1)) serve as Chairman of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology established under subchapter IV; and

((2)) serve as a member of the Domestic Council.

((b)) ** Advice to National Security Council** For the purpose of assuring the optimum contribution of science and technology to the national security, the Director, at the request of the National Security Council, shall advise the National Security Council in such matters concerning science and technology as relate to national security.

((c)) ** Officers and employees; services; contracts; payments** In carrying out his functions under this chapter, 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 at rates not to exceed the rate prescribed for grade GS–18 of the General Schedule by ; and

((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 chapter without legal consideration, without performance bonds, and without regard to .