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H.R. 2606 (113th): Stabilization and Reconstruction Integration Act of 2013


The text of the bill below is as of Jun 28, 2013 (Introduced). The bill was not enacted into law.


I

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2606

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 28, 2013

introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To establish the United States Office for Contingency Operations, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stabilization and Reconstruction Integration Act of 2013 .

(b)

Table of contents

The table of contents is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

Sec. 3. Findings and purposes.

Sec. 4. Effective date.

Title I—United States Office for Contingency Operations

Sec. 101. Establishment of the United States Office for Contingency Operations.

Sec. 102. Responsibilities of the Director, Deputy Director, Inspector General, and other offices.

Sec. 103. Personnel system.

Title II—Preparing and Executing Stability and Reconstruction Operations

Sec. 201. Sole control.

Sec. 202. Relation to Department of State and United States Agency for International Development.

Sec. 203. Relation to Department of Defense combatant commands performing military missions.

Sec. 204. Stabilization Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Sec. 205. Stabilization and Reconstruction Fund.

Sec. 206. Sense of Congress.

Title III—Responsibilities of the Inspector General

Sec. 301. Inspector General.

Title IV—Responsibilities of Other Agencies

Sec. 401. Responsibilities of other Federal agencies for monitoring and evaluation requirements.

Title V—Authorization of Appropriations

Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 502. Offset.

2.

Definitions

In this Act, the following definitions apply:

(1)

Appropriate congressional committees

The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A)

the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and

(B)

the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

(2)

Director

The term Director means the Director of the United States Office for Contingency Operations.

(3)

Functions

The term functions includes authorities, powers, rights, privileges, immunities, programs, projects, activities, duties, and responsibilities.

(4)

Imminent stabilization and reconstruction operation

The term imminent stabilization and reconstruction operation means a condition in a foreign country which the Director believes may require in the immediate future a response from the United States and with respect to which preparation for a stabilization and reconstruction operation is necessary.

(5)

Intelligence community

The term intelligence community has the meaning given such term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3003(4) ).

(6)

Office

The term Office means the United States Office for Contingency Operations.

(7)

Personnel

The term personnel means officers and employees of an executive agency, except that such term does not include members of the Armed Forces.

(8)

Stabilization and reconstruction emergency

The term stabilization and reconstruction emergency is a stabilization and reconstruction operation which is the subject of a Presidential declaration pursuant to section 102.

(9)

Stabilization and reconstruction operation

The term stabilization and reconstruction operation

(A)

means a circumstance in which a combination of security, reconstruction, relief, and development services, including assistance for the development of military and security forces and the provision of infrastructure and essential services (including services that might be provided under the authority of chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2346 et seq. ; relating to the Economic Support Fund)), should, in the national interest of the United States, be provided on the territory of an unstable foreign country;

(B)

does not include a circumstance in which such services should be provided primarily due to a natural disaster; and

(C)

does not include intelligence activities.

(10)

Covered contract

The term covered contract means a contract entered into by any Federal department or agency with any public or private sector entity in any geographic area with regard to a stabilization or reconstruction operation or where the Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations is exercising its special audit or investigative authority for the performance of any of the following:

(A)

To build or rebuild physical infrastructure of such area.

(B)

To establish or reestablish a political or governmental institution of such area.

(C)

To provide products or services to the local population of such area.

(11)

United States

The term United States, when used in a geographic sense, means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, any possession of the United States, and any waters within the jurisdiction of the United States.

3.

Findings and purposes

(a)

Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

Responsibilities for overseas stability and reconstruction operations are divided among several Federal agencies. As a result, lines of responsibility and accountability are not well-defined.

(2)

Despite the establishment of the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization within the Department of State, the reaffirmation of the Coordinator’s mandate by the National Security Presidential Directive 44, its codification in title XVI of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 ( Public Law 110–417 ), the issuance of the Department of Defense Directive 3000.05, and the creation of the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization by the Department of State, serious imbalances and insufficient interagency coordination remain.

(3)

The United States has not effectively or efficiently managed stabilization and reconstruction operations during recent decades.

(4)

Based on recent history, the United States will likely continue to find its involvement necessary in stabilization and reconstruction operations in foreign countries in the wake of violence.

(5)

The United States has not adequately applied the lessons of its recent experiences in stabilization and reconstruction operations, and despite efforts to improve its performance is not yet organized institutionally to respond appropriately to the need to perform stabilization and reconstruction operations in foreign countries.

(6)

The failure to implement the lessons learned of past stabilization and reconstruction operations will lead to further inefficiencies, resulting in greater human and financial costs.

(b)

Purposes

The purposes of this Act are to—

(1)

protect the national security interests of the United States by providing an effective means to plan for and execute stabilization and reconstruction operations in foreign countries;

(2)

provide for unity of command, and thus achieve unity of effort, in the planning and execution of stabilization and reconstruction operations;

(3)

provide accountability for resources dedicated to stabilization and reconstruction operations;

(4)

maximize the efficient use of resources, which would lead to budget savings, eliminated redundancy in functions, and improvement in the management of stabilization and reconstruction operations; and

(5)

establish an entity to plan for stabilization and reconstruction operations across relevant Federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the United States Agency for International Development, and, when directed by the President, coordinate and execute such operations, eventually returning responsibility for such operations to other Federal departments and agencies of the United States Government as the situation at issue becomes normalized.

4.

Effective date

This Act shall take effect on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

I

United States Office for Contingency Operations

101.

Establishment of the United States Office for Contingency Operations

There is established as an independent entity in the executive branch the United States Office for Contingency Operations.

102.

Responsibilities of the Director, Deputy Director, Inspector General, and other offices

(a)

Director

(1)

In general

The Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall be—

(A)

appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; and

(B)

compensated at the rate of basic pay for level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code.

(2)

Supervision

(A)

In general

The Director shall report directly to, and be under the general supervision of, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense. Such supervision may not be delegated.

(B)

Policy oversight

The Director shall function under the policy oversight of the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. On a day-to-day basis, the Director shall report to and take policy direction from the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and shall keep the Assistant fully and continually informed of the activities of the Director and the Office.

(3)

Functions

The functions of the Director shall include the following:

(A)

Monitoring, in coordination with relevant offices and bureaus of the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the United States Agency for International Development, political and economic instability worldwide in order to anticipate the need for mobilizing United States and international assistance for the stabilization and reconstruction of a country or region that is at risk of, in, or in transition from, conflict or civil strife.

(B)

Assessing the various types of stabilization and reconstruction crises that could occur, and cataloging and monitoring the military and non-military resources, capabilities, and functions of Federal agencies that are available to address such crises.

(C)

Pre-intervention assessment and planning, and post-intervention evaluation of strategies to achieve United States interests and objectives through such activities as demobilization, disarmament, capacity building, rebuilding of civil society, policing and security sector reform, and monitoring and strengthening respect for human rights that commonly arise in stabilization and reconstruction crises.

(D)

Developing, in coordination with all relevant Federal departments and agencies, stabilization plans and procedures to mobilize and deploy civilian and military personnel to conduct stabilization and reconstruction operations.

(E)

Coordinating with counterparts in foreign governments and international and nongovernmental organizations on stabilization and reconstruction operations to improve effectiveness and avoid duplication.

(F)

Aiding the President, as the President may request, in preparing such rules and regulations as the President prescribes, for the planning, coordination, and execution of stabilization and reconstruction operations.

(G)

Advising the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, as the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense may request, on any matters pertaining to the planning, coordination, and execution of stabilization and reconstruction operations.

(H)

Planning and conducting, in cooperation with the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, the Secretary of Defense, and commanders of unified combatant commands and specified combatant commands established under section 161 of title 10, United States Code, a series of exercises to test and evaluate doctrine relating to stabilization and reconstruction operations and procedures to be used in such operations.

(I)

Executing, administering, and enforcing laws, rules, and regulations relating to the preparation, coordination, and execution of stabilization and reconstruction operations.

(J)

Administering such funds as may be appropriated or otherwise made available for the preparation, coordination, and execution of stabilization and reconstruction operations.

(K)

Planning for the use of contractors who will be involved in stabilization and reconstruction operations.

(L)

Prescribing standards and policies for project and financial reporting for all Federal agencies involved in stabilization and reconstruction operations under the direction of the Office to ensure that all activities undertaken by such agencies are appropriately tracked and accounted for.

(M)

Establishing an interagency training, preparation, and evaluation framework for all personnel deployed, or who may be deployed, in support of stabilization and reconstruction operations. Such training and preparation shall be developed and administered in partnership with such universities, colleges, or other institutions (whether public, private, or governmental) as the Director may determine and which agree to participate.

(4)

Responsibilities of Director for assessment, monitoring and evaluation requirements

(A)

Assessment

The Director shall, to the greatest extent practicable, draw upon all sources of information and intelligence within the Government to develop a common understanding of the causes of conflict and the salient impediments to stabilization as a guide to planning.

(B)

Monitoring

The Director shall establish, in coordination with the Federal agencies involved in a stabilization and reconstruction operation, measures for determining whether the programs and activities that are being implemented are achieving United States objectives.

(C)

Evaluations

The Director shall plan and conduct evaluations of the impact of stabilization and reconstruction operations carried out by the Office.

(D)

Funding

The Director shall have the authority to direct up to five percent of the amount of program expenditures for assessment, monitoring, and evaluation purposes.

(E)

Reports

(i)

In general

Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal-year quarter, the Director shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report summarizing all stabilization and reconstruction operations that are taking place under the supervision of the Director during the period of each such quarter and, to the extent possible, the period from the end of each such quarter to the time of the submission of each such report. Each such report shall include, for the period covered by each such report, a detailed statement of all obligations, expenditures, and revenues associated with such stabilization and reconstruction operations, including the following:

(I)

Obligations and expenditures of appropriated funds.

(II)

A project-by-project and program-by-program accounting of the costs incurred to date for the stabilization and reconstruction operations that are taking place, together with the estimate of any Federal department or agency that is undertaking a project in or for the stabilization and reconstruction of such country, as applicable, of the costs to complete each such project and program.

(III)

Revenues attributable to or consisting of funds provided by foreign countries or international organizations, and any obligations or expenditures of such revenues.

(IV)

Revenues attributable to or consisting of foreign assets seized or frozen, and any obligations or expenditures of such revenues.

(V)

An analysis on the impact of stabilization and reconstruction operations overseen by the Office, including an analysis of civil-military coordination with respect to the Office.

(ii)

Form

Each report under this subparagraph may include a classified annex if the Director determines such is appropriate.

(iii)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to authorize the public disclosure of information that is specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other provision of law, specifically required by Executive order to be protected from disclosure in the interest of national defense or national security or in the conduct of foreign affairs, or a part of an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution.

(b)

Deputy Director

(1)

In general

There shall be within the Office a Deputy Director, who shall be—

(A)

appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; and

(B)

compensated at the rate of basic pay for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.

(2)

Functions

The Deputy Director shall perform such functions as the Director may from time to time prescribe, and shall act as Director during the absence or disability of the Director or in the event of a vacancy in the Office of the Director.

(c)

Functions of the President

(1)

Declaration

The President may, if the President finds that the circumstances and national security interests of the United States so require, declare that a stabilization and reconstruction emergency exists and shall determine the geographic extent and the date of the commencement of such emergency. The President may amend the declaration as circumstances warrant.

(2)

Termination

If the President determines that a stabilization and reconstruction emergency declared under paragraph (1) is or will no longer be in existence, the President may terminate, immediately or prospectively, a prior declaration that such an emergency exists.

(3)

Publication in Federal Register

Declarations under this subsection shall be published in the Federal Register.

(d)

Authorities of Office following presidential declaration

If the President declares a stabilization and reconstruction emergency pursuant to subsection (c), the President may delegate to the Director the authority to coordinate all Federal efforts with respect to such emergency, including the authority to direct any Federal agency to support such efforts, with or without reimbursement.

103.

Personnel system

(a)

Personnel

(1)

In general

The Director may select, appoint, and employ such personnel as may be necessary for carrying out the duties of the Office, subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the excepted service, and the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, and may exercise the authorities of subsections (b) through (i) of section 3161 of title 5, United States Code (to the same extent and in the same manner as such authorities may be exercised by an organization described in subsection (a) of such section). In exercising the employment authorities under subsection (b) of such section 3161, paragraph (2) of such subsection (relating to periods of appointments) shall not apply.

(2)

Subdivisions of Office; delegation of functions

The Director may establish bureaus, offices, divisions, and other units within the Office. The Director may from time to time make provision for the performance of any function of the Director by any officer or employee, or bureau, office, division, or other unit of the Office.

(3)

Reemployment authorities

The provisions of section 9902(g) of title 5, United States Code, shall apply with respect to the Office. For purposes of the preceding sentence, such provisions shall be applied—

(A)

by substituting the United States Office for Contingency Operations for the Department of Defense each place it appears;

(B)

in paragraph (2)(A), by substituting the Stabilization and Reconstruction Integration Act of 2013 for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 ( Public Law 108–136 ) ; and

(C)

in paragraph (4), by substituting the Director of the United States Office for Contingency Operations for the Secretary.

(b)

Interim officers

(1)

In general

The President may authorize any persons who, immediately prior to the effective date of this Act, held positions in the executive branch to act as Director, Deputy Director, and Inspector General of the Office until such positions are for the first time filled in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(2)

Compensation

The President may authorize any such person described in paragraph (1) to receive the compensation attached to the position in the Office in respect of which such person so serves, in lieu of other compensation from the United States.

(c)

Contracting services

(1)

In general

The Director may obtain services of experts and consultants as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code.

(2)

Assistance

To the extent and in such amounts as may be provided in advance by appropriations Acts, the Inspector General of the Office may enter into contracts and other arrangements for audits, studies, analyses, and other services with public agencies and with private persons, and make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the Inspector General.

(d)

Incentivizing expertise in personnel tasked for stabilization and reconstruction operations

(1)

Study

The Director shall commission a study to measure the effectiveness of personnel in stabilization and reconstruction operations. Such study shall seek to identify the most appropriate qualifications for such personnel and incentive strategies for Federal agencies to effectively recruit and deploy employees to support stabilization and reconstruction operations.

(2)

Veterans preference

The Office shall apply preferences to promote the employment of veterans and the use of veteran-owned businesses.

(3)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that, in the selection and appointment of any individual for a position both within the Office and other Federal agencies in support of stabilization and reconstruction operations, due consideration should be given to such individual’s expertise in such operations and interagency experience and qualifications.

II

Preparing and Executing Stability and Reconstruction Operations

201.

Sole control

The Director shall be responsible for activities relating to a stabilization and reconstruction operation conducted during a stabilization and reconstruction emergency declared by the President.

202.

Relation to Department of State and United States Agency for International Development

(a)

Coordination

(1)

In general

The Director shall, to the greatest degree practicable, coordinate with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development regarding the Office’s plans for relief and reconstruction activities conducted during stabilization and reconstruction operations. The Director shall give the greatest possible weight to the views of the Secretary and the Administrator on matters within their jurisdiction. During a declaration under section 102 of a stabilization and reconstruction emergency, the Director shall work closely with the Secretary and the Administrator in planning, executing, and transitioning operations relevant to the respective jurisdictions of the Secretary and the Administrator, as the case may be.

(2)

In-country

During a stabilization and reconstruction emergency, the Director shall work closely with the Chief of Mission for the country in which such emergency exists, or with the most senior Department of State or Agency for International Development officials responsible for such country, to ensure that the actions of the Office and the Federal agencies involved support the attainment of United States interests and objectives and do not conflict with the foreign or development policies of the United States.

(b)

Detailing

The heads of Federal departments and agencies (other than the Secretary of Defense) shall provide for the detail on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis of such civilian personnel as may be agreed between such heads and the Director for the purposes of carrying out this Act. The heads of such departments and agencies shall provide for appropriate recognition and career progress for individuals who are so detailed upon their return from such details.

203.

Relation to Department of Defense combatant commands performing military missions

(a)

Coordination with secretary of defense and combatant commands

The Director shall coordinate with the Secretary of Defense and commanders of unified and specified combatant commands established under section 161 of title 10, United States Code, regarding the plans or activities of the Office for stabilization and reconstruction operations.

(b)

Staff coordination

The Director shall detail personnel of the Office to serve on the staff of a unified or specified combatant command to assist in planning when a contingency operation (as such term is defined in section 101(a)(13) of title 10, United States Code) will involve likely Armed Forces interaction with non-combatant populations, so that plans for a stabilization and reconstruction operation related to a military operation—

(1)

complement the work of military planners; and

(2)

as provided in subsection (c), ease interaction between civilian direct-hire employees and contractors in support of such stabilization and reconstruction operation and the Armed Forces.

(c)

Limitations

(1)

Director

The authority of the Director shall not extend to small-scale programs (other than economic development programs of more than a de minimis amount) designated by the Secretary of Defense as necessary to promote a safe operating environment for the Armed Forces or other friendly forces.

(2)

Military order

Nothing in this Act shall be construed as permitting the Director or any of the personnel of the Office (other than a member of the Armed Forces assigned to the Office under subsection (e)) to issue a military order.

(d)

Support

(1)

Assistance required

The commanders of unified and specified combatant commands shall provide assistance, to the greatest degree practicable, to the Director and the personnel of the Office as they carry out their responsibilities.

(2)

Personnel

The Secretary of Defense shall provide for the detail or assignment, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, to the staff of the Office of such Department of Defense personnel as the Secretary and the Director determine necessary to carry out the duties of the Office.

204.

Stabilization Federal Acquisition Regulation

(a)

In general

The Director, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall prescribe a Stabilization Federal Acquisition Regulation. Such Regulation shall apply, under such circumstances as the Director prescribes, in lieu of the Federal Acquisition Regulation with respect to contracts intended for use in or with respect to stabilization and reconstruction emergencies or in imminent or potential stabilization and reconstruction operations.

(b)

Preference to certain contracts

It is the sense of Congress that the Stabilization Federal Acquisition Regulation required under subsection (a) should include provisions requiring a Federal agency to give a preference to contracts that appropriately, efficiently, and sustainably implement programs and projects undertaken in support of a stabilization and reconstruction operation.

(c)

Deadline

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall prescribe the Stabilization Federal Acquisition Regulation required under subsection (a). If the Director does not prescribe such Regulation by such time, the Director shall submit to Congress a statement explaining why the deadline was not met.

205.

Stabilization and Reconstruction Fund

(a)

In general

There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the Stabilization and Reconstruction Emergency Reserve Fund, to be administered by the Director at the direction of the President and with the consent of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense

(1)

to prepare for an imminent stabilization and reconstruction operation;

(2)

for the conduct of a stabilization and reconstruction operation;

(3)

for the operations of the Office as such operations relate to paragraphs (1) and (2); and

(4)

for any other purpose which the Director considers essential with respect to such paragraphs.

(b)

Congressional notification

(1)

Presidential direction

At the time the President directs the Director to carry out or support an activity described in subsection (a), the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a written notification of such direction.

(2)

Activities in a country

Not less than 15 days before carrying out or supporting an activity described in subsection (a), the Director shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees information related to the budget, implementation timeline (including milestones), and transition strategy with respect to such activity and the stabilization or reconstruction operation at issue.

(c)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to the appropriated to the fund established under subsection (a) such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes specified in such subsection. Such sums—

(1)

shall be available until expended;

(2)

shall not be made available for obligation or expenditure until the President declares a stabilization and reconstruction emergency pursuant to section 102; and

(3)

shall be in addition to any other funds made available for such purposes.

206.

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that, to the extent possible, the Director and staff of the Office should partner with the country in which a stabilization and reconstruction operation is taking place, other foreign government partners, international organizations, and local nongovernmental organizations throughout the planning, implementation, and particularly during the transition stages of such operation to facilitate long-term capacity building and sustainability of initiatives.

III

Responsibilities of the Inspector General

301.

Inspector General

(a)

In general

There shall be within the Office an Office of the Inspector General, the head of which shall be the Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations (in this Act referred to as the Inspector General), who shall be appointed as provided in section 3(a) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).

(b)

Technical amendments and additional authorities

The Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—

(1)

in section 8J, by striking 8E or 8F and inserting 8E, 8F, or 8N;

(2)

in section 8L(c), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(4)

The Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations.

;

(3)

by inserting after section 8M the following new section:

8N.

Special provisions concerning the Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations

(a)

Special audit and investigative authority

(1)

In general

When directed by the President, or otherwise provided by law, and in addition to the other duties and responsibilities specified in this Act, the Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations shall, with regard to the reconstruction and stabilization operations under the supervision of the Director of the United States Office for Contingency Operations, have audit and investigative authority over all accounts, spending, programs, projects, and activities undertaken with respect to such operations by Federal agencies without regard to the agency carrying out such operations.

(2)

Administrative operations

In any case in which the Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations is exercising or preparing to exercise special audit and investigative authority under this subsection, the head of any Federal department or agency undertaking or preparing to undertake the activities described in paragraph (1) shall provide the Inspector General with appropriate and adequate office space within the offices of such department or agency or at appropriate locations overseas of such department or agency, together with such equipment, office supplies, and communications facilities and services as may be necessary for the operation of such offices, and shall provide necessary maintenance services for such offices and the equipment and facilities located therein.

(b)

Additional duties

(1)

In general

It shall be the duty of the Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations to conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations of the treatment, handling, and expenditure of amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for activities to be carried out by or under the direction or supervision of the Director of the United States Office for Contingency Operations, or for activities subject to the special audit and investigative authority of such Inspector General under subsection (a), and of the programs, operations, and contracts carried out utilizing such funds, including—

(A)

the oversight and accounting of the obligation and expenditure of such funds;

(B)

the monitoring and review of activities funded by such funds;

(C)

the monitoring and review of contracts funded by such funds;

(D)

the monitoring and review of the transfer of such funds and associated information between and among Federal departments, agencies, and entities, and private and nongovernmental entities; and

(E)

the maintenance of records on the use of such funds to facilitate future audits and investigations of the use of such funds.

(2)

Systems, procedures, and controls

The Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations shall establish, maintain, and oversee such systems, procedures, and controls as such Inspector General considers appropriate to discharge the duties described in paragraph (1).

(c)

Personnel authority

(1)

In general

The Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations may select, appoint, and employ such officers and employees as may be necessary for carrying out the functions, powers, and duties of the Office, subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the excepted service, and the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.

(2)

Employment authority

The Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations may exercise the authorities of subsections (b) through (i) of section 3161 of title 5, United States Code (without regard to subsection (a) of such section). In exercising the employment authorities under subsection (b) of section 3161 of title 5, United States Code, paragraph (2) of such subsection (b) (relating to periods of appointments) shall not apply.

(3)

Exemption

Section 6(a)(7) shall not apply with respect to the Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations.

(4)

Reports

In addition to reports otherwise required to be submitted under section 5 of this Act, the Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations may issue periodic reports of a similar nature with respect to activities subject to the special audit and investigative authority of such Inspector General under subsection (a).

(5)

Form of submission

Each report under this subsection may include a classified annex if the Inspector General of the United States Office for Contingency Operations considers such necessary.

(6)

Disclosure of certain information

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the public disclosure of information that is—

(A)

specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other provision of law;

(B)

specifically required by Executive order to be protected from disclosure in the interest of national defense or national security or in the conduct of foreign affairs; or

(C)

a part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

; and

(4)

in section 12

(A)

in paragraph (1), by inserting , or the United States Office for Contingency Operations after the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency ; and

(B)

in paragraph (2), by inserting the United States Office for Contingency Operations, after the Federal Housing Finance Agency,.

IV

Responsibilities of Other Agencies

401.

Responsibilities of other Federal agencies for monitoring and evaluation requirements

The head of any Federal agency under the authority of the Director in support of a stabilization and reconstruction operation pursuant to section 102 shall submit to the Director

(1)

on-going evaluations of the impact of agency activities on such operation, using the measures developed by the Director in consultation with the agencies involved, including an assessment of interagency coordination in support of such operation;

(2)

any information the Director requests, including reports, evaluations, analyses, or assessments, to permit the Director to satisfy the quarterly reporting requirement under section 102(a)(4)(E); and

(3)

an identification, within each such agency, of all current and former employees skilled in crisis response, including employees employed by contract, and information regarding each such agency’s authority mechanisms to reassign or reemploy such employees and mobilize rapidly associated resources in response to such operation.

V

Authorization of Appropriations

501.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 to carry out this Act for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2016. Amounts so authorized to be appropriated are—

(1)

authorized to remain available until expended; and

(2)

shall be in addition to amounts available in the Stabilization and Reconstruction Fund under section 205.

502.

Offset

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, under such regulations as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe, the Secretary of State and the head of each other Federal department or agency that administers United States foreign assistance, in consultation with the appropriate congressional committees, shall—

(1)

eliminate such initiatives, positions, and programs within the Department of State or such other department or agency that are not otherwise required by law as the Secretary or the head of such other department or agency determines to be necessary to entirely offset any and all costs incurred to carry out the provisions of this Act with respect to the Department of State or such other department or agency;

(2)

ensure no net increases in personnel are added to carry out the provisions of this Act, with any new full- or part-time employees or equivalents offset by eliminating an equivalent number of existing staff; and

(3)

report to Congress not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the actions taken to ensure compliance with paragraphs (1) and (2), including the specific initiatives, positions, and programs within the Department of State or such other department or agency that have been eliminated to ensure that the costs of carrying out this Act will be offset.