DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY AT PERSONNEL DEMONSTRATION LABORATORIES FOR CERTAIN CANDIDATES.

SEC. 1108. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY AT PERSONNEL DEMONSTRATION LABORATORIES FOR CERTAIN CANDIDATES.(a) Authority.—The Secretary of Defense may appoint qualified candidates possessing an advanced degree to positions described in subsection (b) without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such title.(b) Applicability.—This section applies with respect to candidates for scientific and engineering positions within any laboratory identified in section 9902(c)(2) of title 5, United States Code.(c) Limitation.—(1) Authority under this section may not, in any calendar year and with respect to any laboratory, be exercised with respect to a number of candidates greater than the number equal to 2 percent of the total number of scientific and engineering positions within such laboratory that are filled as of the close of the fiscal year last ending before the start of such calendar year.(2) For purposes of this subsection, positions and candidates shall be counted on a full-time equivalent basis.(d) Employee Defined.—As used in this section, the term “employee” has the meaning given such term by section 2105 of title 5, United States Code.(e) Termination.—The authority to make appointments under this section shall not be available after December 31, 2013.