; and (E) taken the necessary steps to ensure that all personnel involved in well operations are properly trained and capable of performing their tasks under both normal drilling and emergency well control operations. (i) CEO annual certification Operators of all drilling and production operations shall annually submit to the Secretary a general statement by the operator’s chief executive officer that certifies to the operators’ compliance with all applicable laws and operating regulations. (j) Third-Party certification All operators that modify or upgrade any emergency equipment placed on any operation to prevent blow-outs or other well control events, shall have an independent third party conduct a detailed physical inspection and design review of such equipment within 30 days of its installation. The independent third party shall certify that the equipment will operate as originally designed and any modifications or upgrades conducted after delivery have not compromised the design, performance or functionality of the equipment. Failure to comply with this subsection shall result in suspension of the lease. . 519. Petitions Section 23(c)(3) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1349(c)(3) ) is amended by striking sixty and inserting 90 . C Other Provisions 521. Contractor liability Section 24 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1350 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (f) Liability of contractors A person who enters into a contract with a lessee under this Act to provide goods or services to be used in activities under a lease under this Act shall be held jointly liable with the lessee for any damages resulting from a violation of this Act committed by such person in their performance under the contract. . 522. Area-wide leasing The Secretary of the Interior shall seek to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to estimate the financial impact of the Secretary ceasing to offer oil and gas lease sales for the outer