PERSONNEL.

SEC. 103. PERSONNEL. Section 206 (20 U.S.C. 9105) is amended—(1) by striking paragraph (2) of subsection (b) and inserting the following:“(2) Number and compensation.—“(A) In general.—The number of employees appointed and compensated under paragraph (1) shall not exceed ⅕ of the number of full-time regular or professional employees of the Institute.“(B) Rate of compensation.—“(i) In general.—Except as provided in clause (ii), the rate of basic compensation for the employees appointed and compensated under paragraph (1) may not exceed the rate prescribed for level GS–15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.124 STAT. 3597“(ii) Exception.—The Director may appoint not more than 3 employees under paragraph (1) at a rate of basic compensation that exceeds the rate described in clause (i) but does not exceed the rate of basic pay in effect for positions at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.”; and(2) by adding at the end the following:“(d) Experts and Consultants.—The Director may use experts and consultants, including panels of experts, who may be employed as authorized under section 3109 of title 5, United States Code.”.