42 U.S.C. § 247d–7e — Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

**(a) Definitions** In this section: (1) **BARDA** — The term “BARDA” means the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. (2) **Fund** — The term “Fund” means the Biodefense Medical Countermeasure Development Fund established under subsection (d). (3) **Other transactions** — The term “other transactions” means transactions, other than procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. (4) **Qualified countermeasure** — The term “qualified countermeasure” has the meaning given such term in [section 247d–6a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d-6a&num=0&edition=prelim). (5) **Qualified pandemic or epidemic product** — The term “qualified pandemic or epidemic product” has the meaning given the term in [section 247d–6d of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d-6d&num=0&edition=prelim). (6) **Advanced research and development** (A) *In general* — The term “advanced research and development” means, with respect to a product that is or may become a qualified countermeasure or a qualified pandemic or epidemic product, activities that predominantly— (i) are conducted after basic research and preclinical development of the product; and (ii) are related to manufacturing the product on a commercial scale and in a form that satisfies the regulatory requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [[21 U.S.C. 301](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section301&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.] or under [section 262 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section262&num=0&edition=prelim). (B) *Activities included* — The term under subparagraph (A) includes— (i) testing of the product to determine whether the product may be approved, cleared, or licensed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [[21 U.S.C. 301](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section301&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.] or under [section 262 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section262&num=0&edition=prelim) for a use that is or may be the basis for such product becoming a qualified countermeasure or qualified pandemic or epidemic product, or to help obtain such approval, clearance, or license; (ii) design and development of tests or models, including animal models, for such testing; (iii) activities to facilitate manufacture of the product on a commercial scale with consistently high quality, as well as to improve and make available new technologies to increase manufacturing surge capacity; (iv) activities to support, maintain, and improve domestic manufacturing surge capacity and capabilities, as appropriate, including through the utilization of advanced manufacturing and platform technologies, to increase the availability of products that are or may become qualified countermeasures or qualified pandemic or epidemic products; (v) activities to improve the shelf-life of the product or technologies for administering the product; and (vi) such other activities as are part of the advanced stages of testing, refinement, improvement, manufacturing, or preparation of the product for such use and as are specified by the Secretary. (7) **Security countermeasure** — The term “security countermeasure” has the meaning given such term in [section 247d–6b of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d-6b&num=0&edition=prelim). (8) **Research tool** — The term “research tool” means a device, technology, biological material (including a cell line or an antibody), reagent, animal model, computer system, computer software, or analytical technique that is developed to assist in the discovery, development, or manufacture of qualified countermeasures or qualified pandemic or epidemic products. (9) **Program manager** — The term “program manager” means an individual appointed to carry out functions under this section and authorized to provide project oversight and management of strategic initiatives. (10) **Person** — The term “person” includes an individual, partnership, corporation, association, entity, or public or private corporation, and a Federal, State, or local government agency or department. **(b) Strategic plan for countermeasure research, development, and procurement** (1) **In general** — Not later than 6 months after December 19, 2006, the Secretary shall develop and make public a strategic plan to integrate biodefense and emerging infectious disease requirements with the advanced research and development, strategic initiatives for innovation, support for domestic manufacturing surge capacity and capabilities, and the procurement of qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products. The Secretary shall carry out such activities as may be practicable to disseminate the information contained in such plan to persons who may have the capacity to substantially contribute to the activities described in such strategic plan. The Secretary shall update and incorporate such plan as part of the National Health Security Strategy described in [section 300hh–1 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section300hh-1&num=0&edition=prelim). (2) **Content** — The strategic plan under paragraph (1) shall guide— (A) research and development, conducted or supported by the Department of Health and Human Services, of qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products against possible biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear agents and to emerging infectious diseases; (B) innovation in technologies that may assist advanced research and development of qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products (such research and development referred to in this section as “countermeasure and product advanced research and development”); (C) activities to support, maintain, and improve domestic manufacturing surge capacity and capabilities, as appropriate, including through the utilization of advanced manufacturing and platform technologies, to increase the availability of products that are or may become qualified countermeasures or qualified pandemic or epidemic products; and (D) procurement of such qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products by such Department. **(c) Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority** (1) **Establishment** — There is established within the Department of Health and Human Services the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. (2) **In general** — Based upon the strategic plan described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall coordinate the acceleration of countermeasure and product advanced research and development by— (A) facilitating collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services and other Federal agencies, relevant industries, academia, and other persons, with respect to such advanced research and development; (B) promoting countermeasure and product advanced research and development, including through the establishment and maintenance of domestic manufacturing surge capacity and capabilities, consistent with subsection (a)(6)(B)(iv); (C) facilitating contacts between interested persons and the offices or employees authorized by the Secretary to advise such persons regarding requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [[21 U.S.C. 301](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section301&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.] and under [section 262 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section262&num=0&edition=prelim); and (D) promoting innovation to reduce the time and cost of countermeasure and product advanced research and development. (3) **Director** — The BARDA shall be headed by a Director (referred to in this section as the “Director”) who shall be appointed by the Secretary and to whom the Secretary shall delegate such functions and authorities as necessary to implement this section, including the execution of procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements pursuant to this section. (4) **Duties** (A) *Collaboration* — To carry out the purpose described in paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary shall— (i) facilitate and increase the expeditious and direct communication between the Department of Health and Human Services and relevant persons with respect to countermeasure and product advanced research and development, including by— (I) facilitating such communication regarding the processes for procuring such advanced research and development with respect to qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products of interest; (II) soliciting information about and data from research on potential qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products and related technologies; (III) facilitating such communication, as appropriate, regarding manufacturing surge capacity and capabilities with respect to qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products to prepare for, or respond to, a public health emergency or potential public health emergency; and (IV) facilitating such communication, as appropriate and in a manner that does not compromise national security, with respect to potential eligibility for the material threat medical countermeasure priority review voucher program under section 565A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [[21 U.S.C. 360bbb–4a](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section360bbb–4a&num=0&edition=prelim)]; (ii) at least annually— (I) convene meetings with representatives from relevant industries, academia, other Federal agencies, international agencies as appropriate, and other interested persons; (II) sponsor opportunities to demonstrate the operation and effectiveness of relevant biodefense countermeasure technologies; and (III) convene such working groups on countermeasure and product advanced research and development as the Secretary may determine are necessary to carry out this section; (iii) communicate regularly with entities in receipt of an award pursuant to subparagraph (B)(v), and facilitate communication between such entities and other entities in receipt of an award pursuant to subparagraph (B)(iv), as appropriate, for purposes of planning and response regarding the availability of countermeasures and the maintenance of domestic manufacturing surge capacity and capabilities, including any planned uses of such capacity and capabilities in the near- and mid-term, and identification of any significant challenges related to the long-term maintenance of such capacity and capabilities; and (iv) carry out the activities described in [section 247d–7f of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d-7f&num=0&edition=prelim). (B) *Support advanced research and development* — To carry out the purpose described in paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary shall— (i) conduct ongoing searches for, and support calls for, potential qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products; (ii) direct and coordinate the countermeasure and product advanced research and development activities of the Department of Health and Human Services; (iii) establish strategic initiatives to accelerate countermeasure and product advanced research and development (which may include advanced research and development for purposes of fulfilling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [[21 U.S.C. 301](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section301&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.] or [section 262 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section262&num=0&edition=prelim)) and innovation in such areas as the Secretary may identify as priority unmet need areas; (iv) award contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and enter into other transactions, for countermeasure and product advanced research and development; and (v) award contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements and enter into other transactions to support, maintain, and improve domestic manufacturing surge capacity and capabilities, including through supporting flexible or advanced manufacturing, to ensure that additional capacity is available to rapidly manufacture products that are or may become qualified countermeasures or qualified pandemic or epidemic products in the event of a public health emergency declaration or significant potential for a public health emergency. (C) *Facilitating advice* — To carry out the purpose described in paragraph (2)(C) the Secretary shall— (i) connect interested persons with the offices or employees authorized by the Secretary to advise such persons regarding the regulatory requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [[21 U.S.C. 301](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section301&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.] and under [section 262 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section262&num=0&edition=prelim) related to the approval, clearance, or licensure of qualified countermeasures or qualified pandemic or epidemic products; (ii) with respect to persons performing countermeasure and product advanced research and development funded under this section, enable such offices or employees to provide to the extent practicable such advice in a manner that is ongoing and that is otherwise designed to facilitate expeditious development of qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products that may achieve such approval, clearance, or licensure; and (iii) consult with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, pursuant to section 565(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [[21 U.S.C. 360bbb–4(b)(2)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section360bbb–4/b/2&num=0&edition=prelim)], to ensure that facilities performing manufacturing, pursuant to an award under subparagraph (B)(v), are in compliance with applicable requirements under such Act and this chapter, as appropriate, including current good manufacturing practice pursuant to section 501(a)(2)(B) of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [[21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section351/a/2/B&num=0&edition=prelim)]; and (D) *Supporting innovation* — To carry out the purpose described in paragraph (2)(D), the Secretary may award contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, or enter into other transactions, such as prize payments, to promote— (i) innovation in technologies that may assist countermeasure and product advanced research and development, including to improve manufacturing capacities and capabilities for medical countermeasures; (ii) research on and development of research tools and other devices and technologies; and (iii) research to promote strategic initiatives, such as rapid diagnostics, broad spectrum antimicrobials, vaccine-manufacturing technologies, dose-sparing technologies, efficacy-increasing technologies, platform technologies, technologies to administer countermeasures, and technologies to improve storage and transportation of countermeasures. (E) *Medical countermeasures innovation partner* (i) *In general* — To support the purposes described in paragraph (2), the Secretary, acting through the Director of BARDA, may enter into an agreement (including through the use of grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as described in paragraph (5)) with an independent, nonprofit entity to— (I) foster and accelerate the development and innovation of medical countermeasures and technologies that may assist advanced research and the development of qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products, including through the use of strategic venture capital practices and methods; (II) promote the development of new and promising technologies that address urgent medical countermeasure needs, as identified by the Secretary; (III) address unmet public health needs that are directly related to medical countermeasure requirements, such as novel antimicrobials for multidrug resistant organisms and multiuse platform technologies for diagnostics, prophylaxis, vaccines, and therapeutics; and (IV) provide expert consultation and advice to foster viable medical countermeasure innovators, including helping qualified countermeasure innovators navigate unique industry challenges with respect to developing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear countermeasure products. (ii) *Eligibility* (I) *In general* — To be eligible to enter into an agreement under clause (i) an entity shall— (aa) be an independent, nonprofit entity; (bb) have a demonstrated record of being able to create linkages between innovators and investors and leverage such partnerships and resources for the purpose of addressing identified strategic needs of the Federal Government; (cc) have experience in promoting novel technology innovation; (dd) be problem-driven and solution-focused based on the needs, requirements, and problems identified by the Secretary under clause (iv); (ee) demonstrate the ability, or the potential ability, to promote the development of medical countermeasure products; (ff) demonstrate expertise, or the capacity to develop or acquire expertise, related to technical and regulatory considerations with respect to medical countermeasures; and (gg) not be within the Department of Health and Human Services. (II) *Partnering experience* — In selecting an entity with which to enter into an agreement under clause (i), the Secretary shall place a high value on the demonstrated experience of the entity in partnering with the Federal Government to meet identified strategic needs. (iii) *Not agency* — An entity that enters into an agreement under clause (i) shall not be deemed to be a Federal agency for any purpose, including for any purpose under title 5. (iv) *Direction* — Pursuant to an agreement entered into under this subparagraph, the Secretary, acting through the Director of BARDA, shall provide direction to the entity that enters into an agreement under clause (i). As part of this agreement the Director of BARDA shall— (I) communicate the medical countermeasure needs, requirements, and problems to be addressed by the entity under the agreement; (II) develop a description of work to be performed by the entity under the agreement; (III) provide technical feedback and appropriate oversight over work carried out by the entity under the agreement, including subsequent development and partnerships consistent with the needs and requirements set forth in this subparagraph; (IV) ensure fair consideration of products developed under the agreement in order to maintain competition to the maximum practical extent, as applicable and appropriate under applicable provisions of this section; and (V) ensure, as a condition of the agreement that the entity— (aa) has in place a comprehensive set of policies that demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability; (bb) protects against conflicts of interest through a comprehensive set of policies that address potential conflicts of interest, ethics, disclosure, and reporting requirements; (cc) provides monthly accounting on the use of funds provided under such agreement; and (dd) provides on a quarterly basis, reports regarding the progress made toward meeting the identified needs set forth in the agreement. (v) *Supplement not supplant* — Activities carried out under this subparagraph shall supplement, and not supplant, other activities carried out under this section. (vi) *No establishment of entity* — To prevent unnecessary duplication and target resources effectively, nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to authorize the Secretary to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services an entity for the purposes of carrying out this subparagraph. (vii) *Transparency and oversight* — Upon request, the Secretary shall provide to Congress the information provided to the Secretary under clause (iv)(V)(dd). (viii) *Independent evaluation* — Not later than 4 years after December 13, 2016, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an independent evaluation, and submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report, concerning the activities conducted under this subparagraph. Such report shall include recommendations with respect to any agreement or activities carried out pursuant to this subparagraph. (ix) *Sunset* — This subparagraph shall have no force or effect after September 30, 2028. (F) *Strategic initiatives* — The Secretary, acting through the Director of BARDA, may implement strategic initiatives, including by building on existing programs and by awarding contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, or entering into other transactions, to support innovative candidate products in preclinical and clinical development that address priority, naturally occurring and man-made threats that, as determined by the Secretary, pose a significant level of risk to national security based on the characteristics of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threat, or existing capabilities to respond to such a threat (including medical response and treatment capabilities and manufacturing infrastructure). Such initiatives shall accelerate and support the advanced research, development, and procurement of countermeasures and products, as applicable, to address areas including— (i) chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats, including emerging infectious diseases, for which insufficient approved, licensed, or authorized countermeasures exist, or for which such threat, or the result of an exposure to such threat, may become resistant to countermeasures or existing countermeasures may be rendered ineffective; (ii) threats that consistently exist or continually circulate and have a significant potential to become a pandemic, such as pandemic influenza, which may include the advanced research and development, manufacturing, and appropriate stockpiling of qualified pandemic or epidemic products, and products, technologies, or processes to support the advanced research and development of such countermeasures (including multiuse platform technologies for diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics; virus seeds; clinical trial lots; novel virus strains; and antigen and adjuvant material); and (iii) threats that may result primarily or secondarily from a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear agent, or emerging infectious diseases, and which may present increased treatment complications such as the occurrence of resistance to available countermeasures or potential countermeasures, including antimicrobial resistant pathogens. (G) *Annual reports by award recipients* — As a condition of receiving an award under subparagraph (B)(v), a recipient shall develop and submit to the Secretary annual reports related to the maintenance of such capacity and capabilities, including ensuring that such capacity and capabilities are able to support the rapid manufacture of countermeasures as required by the Secretary. (5) **Transaction authorities** (A) *Other transactions* (i) *In general* — The Secretary shall have the authority to enter into other transactions (as defined in subsection (a)(3)) under this subsection. (ii) *Limitations on authority* (I) *In general* — To the maximum extent practicable, competitive procedures shall be used when entering into transactions to carry out projects under this subsection. (II) *Written determinations required* — The authority of this subparagraph may be exercised for a project that is expected to cost the Department of Health and Human Services in excess of $100,000,000 only upon a written determination by the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources, that the use of such authority is essential to promoting the success of the project. The authority of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources under this subclause may not be delegated. (iii) *Authority during a public health emergency* (I) *In general* — Notwithstanding clause (ii), the Secretary, shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use competitive procedures when entering into transactions to carry out projects under this subsection for purposes of a public health emergency declared by the Secretary under [section 247d of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d&num=0&edition=prelim). Any such transactions entered into during such public health emergency shall not be terminated solely due to the expiration of such public health emergency, if such public health emergency ends before the completion of the terms of such agreement. (II) *Report* — After the expiration of the public health emergency declared by the Secretary under [section 247d of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d&num=0&edition=prelim), the Secretary shall provide a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives regarding the use of any funds pursuant to the authority under subclause (I), including any outcomes, benefits, and risks associated with the use of such funds, and a description of the reasons for the use of such authority for the project or projects. (iv) *Guidelines* — The Secretary shall establish guidelines regarding the use of the authority under clause (i). Such guidelines shall include auditing requirements. (B) *Expedited authorities* (i) *In general* — In awarding contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, and in entering into other transactions under subparagraph (B) or (D) of paragraph (4), the Secretary shall have the expedited procurement authorities, the authority to expedite peer review, and the authority for personal services contracts, supplied by subsections (b), (c), and (d) of [section 247d–6a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d-6a&num=0&edition=prelim). (ii) *Application of provisions* — Provisions in such [section 247d–6a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d-6a&num=0&edition=prelim) that apply to such authorities and that require institution of internal controls, limit review, provide for Federal Tort Claims Act coverage of personal services contractors, and commit decisions to the discretion of the Secretary shall apply to the authorities as exercised pursuant to this paragraph. (iii) *Authority to limit competition* — For purposes of applying [section 247d–6a(b)(1)(D) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d–6a/b/1/D&num=0&edition=prelim) to this paragraph, the phrase “BioShield Program under the Project BioShield Act of 2004” shall be deemed to mean the countermeasure and product advanced research and development program under this section. (iv) *Availability of data* — The Secretary shall require that, as a condition of being awarded a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other transaction under subparagraph (B) or (D) of paragraph (4), a person make available to the Secretary on an ongoing basis, and submit upon request to the Secretary, all data related to or resulting from countermeasure and product advanced research and development carried out pursuant to this section. (C) *Advance payments; advertising* — The Secretary may waive the requirements of [section 3324(a) of title 31](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title31-section3324/a&num=0&edition=prelim) or [section 6101 of title 41](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section6101&num=0&edition=prelim) upon the determination by the Secretary that such waiver is necessary to obtain countermeasures or products under this section. (D) *Milestone-based payments allowed* — In awarding contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, and in entering into other transactions, under this section, the Secretary may use milestone-based awards and payments. (E) *Foreign nationals eligible* — The Secretary may under this section award contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements to, and may enter into other transactions with, highly qualified foreign national persons outside the United States, alone or in collaboration with American participants, when such transactions may inure to the benefit of the American people. (F) *Establishment of research centers* — The Secretary may assess the feasibility and appropriateness of establishing, through contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other transaction, an arrangement with an existing research center in order to achieve the goals of this section. If such an agreement is not feasible and appropriate, the Secretary may establish one or more federally-funded research and development centers, or university-affiliated research centers, in accordance with [section 3304(a)(3) of title 41](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section3304/a/3&num=0&edition=prelim). (G) *Government purpose* — In awarding contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements under this section, the Secretary shall provide a clear statement of defined Government purpose related to activities included in subsection (a)(6)(B) for a qualified countermeasure or qualified pandemic or epidemic product. (H) *Supporting warm-base and surge capacity and capabilities* — Pursuant to an award under subparagraph (B)(v),11 So in original. Probably should be “paragraph (4)(B)(v),”. the Secretary may make payments for activities necessary to maintain domestic manufacturing surge capacity and capabilities supported under such award to ensure that such capacity and capabilities are able to support the rapid manufacture of countermeasures as required by the Secretary to prepare for, or respond to, an existing or potential public health emergency or otherwise address threats that pose a significant level of risk to national security. The Secretary may support the utilization of such capacity and capabilities under awards for countermeasure and product advanced research and development, as appropriate, to provide for the maintenance of such capacity and capabilities. (6) **At-risk individuals** — In carrying out the functions under this section, the Secretary may give priority to the advanced research and development of qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products that are likely to be safe and effective with respect to children, pregnant women, older adults, and other at-risk individuals with relevant characteristics that warrant consideration during the process of researching and developing such countermeasures and products. (7) **Personnel authorities** (A) *Specially qualified scientific and professional personnel* (i) *In general* — In addition to any other personnel authorities, the Secretary may— (I) without regard to those provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, appoint highly qualified individuals to scientific or professional positions in BARDA, such as program managers, to carry out this section; and (II) compensate them in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions in which individuals appointed under section 9903 of such title are compensated, 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. (ii) *Manner of exercise of authority* — The authority provided for in this subparagraph shall be exercised subject to the same limitations described in [section 247d–6a(e)(2) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d–6a/e/2&num=0&edition=prelim). (iii) *Term of appointment* — The term limitations described in [section 9903(c) of title 5](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section9903/c&num=0&edition=prelim) shall apply to appointments under this subparagraph, except that the references to the “Secretary” and to the “Department of Defense’s national security missions” shall be deemed to be to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to the mission of the Department of Health and Human Services under this section. (B) *Special consultants* — In carrying out this section, the Secretary may appoint special consultants pursuant to [section 209(f) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section209/f&num=0&edition=prelim). (C) *Limitation* (i) *In general* — The Secretary may hire up to 100 highly qualified individuals, or up to 50 percent of the total number of employees, whichever is less, under the authorities provided for in subparagraphs (A) and (B). (ii) *Report* — The Secretary shall report to Congress on a biennial basis on the implementation of this subparagraph. **(d) Fund** (1) **Establishment** — There is established the Biodefense Medical Countermeasure Development Fund, which shall be available to carry out this section in addition to such amounts as are otherwise available for this purpose. (2) **Funding** — To carry out the purposes of this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $611,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, such amounts to remain available until expended. **(e) Inapplicability of certain provisions** (1) **Disclosure** (A) *Nondisclosure of information* (i) *In general* — Information described in clause (ii) shall be deemed to be information described in [section 552(b)(3) of title 5](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section552/b/3&num=0&edition=prelim). (ii) *Information described* — The information described in this clause is information relevant to programs of the Department of Health and Human Services that could compromise national security and reveal significant and not otherwise publicly known vulnerabilities of existing medical or public health defenses against chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats, and is comprised of— (I) specific technical data or scientific information that is created or obtained during the countermeasure and product advanced research and development carried out under subsection (c); (II) information pertaining to the location security, personnel, and research materials and methods of high-containment laboratories conducting research with select agents, toxins, or other agents with a material threat determination under [section 247d–6b(c)(2) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d–6b/c/2&num=0&edition=prelim); or (III) security and vulnerability assessments. (B) *Review* — Information subject to nondisclosure under subparagraph (A) shall be reviewed by the Secretary every 5 years, or more frequently as determined necessary by the Secretary, to determine the relevance or necessity of continued nondisclosure. (C) *Reporting* — One year after June 24, 2019, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives on the number of instances in which the Secretary has used the authority under this subsection to withhold information from disclosure, as well as the nature of any request under [section 552 of title 5](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section552&num=0&edition=prelim) that was denied using such authority. (D) *Sunset* — This paragraph shall cease to have force or effect after January 30, 2026. (2) **Review** — Notwithstanding [section 1013 of title 5](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section1013&num=0&edition=prelim), a working group of BARDA under this section and the National Biodefense Science Board under [section 247d–7g of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section247d-7g&num=0&edition=prelim) shall each terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date on which each such group or Board, as applicable, was established. Such 5-year period may be extended by the Secretary for one or more additional 5-year periods if the Secretary determines that any such extension is appropriate. **(f) Independent evaluation** (1) **In general** — Not later than 180 days after December 29, 2022, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an independent evaluation of the activities carried out to facilitate flexible manufacturing capacity pursuant to this section. (2) **Report** — Not later than 1 year after December 29, 2022, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the results of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1). Such report shall review and assess— (A) the extent to which flexible manufacturing capacity under this section is dedicated to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; (B) the activities supported by flexible manufacturing initiatives; (C) the ability of flexible manufacturing activities carried out under this section to— (i) secure and leverage leading technical expertise with respect to countermeasure advanced research, development, and manufacturing processes; and (ii) meet the surge manufacturing capacity needs presented by novel and emerging threats, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents; and (D) plans for the near-, mid-, and long-term sustainment of manufacturing activities carried out under this section, including such activities pursuant to subsection (c)(5)(H), specific actions to regularly assess the ability of recipients of an award under subsection (c)(4)(B)(v) to rapidly manufacture countermeasures as required by the Secretary, and recommendations to address challenges, if any, related to such activities.