(a) General Authority.—In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary of Transportation may—

(1) appoint and fix the pay of employees without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointment in the competitive service and chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5; and

(2) make contracts with persons for research and preparation of reports.

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(b) Status of Advisory Committee Members.—A member of an advisory committee appointed under section 325 of this title to carry out this chapter is a special United States Government employee under chapter 11 of title 18.