section 101(c), is further amended by inserting after section 402 the following new section: 403. Preliminary review of claims (a) Preliminary review by hearing officer (1) Appointment Not later than 7 days after transmission to the employing office of a claim pursuant to section 402(b), the Executive Director shall appoint a hearing officer to conduct a preliminary review of the claim. (2) Process for appointment The Executive Director shall appoint a hearing officer under this subsection in the same manner and in accordance with the same requirements and procedures applicable to the appointment of a hearing officer under section 405(c). (b) Assessments required In conducting a preliminary review of a claim under this section, the hearing officer shall assess each of the following: (1) Whether the claimant is a covered employee authorized to obtain relief relating to the claim under this title. (2) Whether the office which is the subject of the claim is an employing office under this Act. (3) Whether the individual filing the claim has met the applicable deadlines for filing the claim under this title. (4) The identification of factual and legal issues involved with respect to the claim. (5) The specific relief sought by the individual. (6) Whether, on the basis of the assessments made under paragraphs (1) through (5), the individual filing the claim is a covered employee who has stated a claim for which, if the allegations contained in the claim are true, relief may be granted under this title. (7) The potential for the settlement of the claim without a formal hearing as provided under section 405 or a civil action as provided under section 408. (c) Report on review (1) Report Not later than 30 days after a claim is filed under section 402, the hearing officer shall submit to the individual filing the claim and the office which is the subject of the claim a report on the preliminary review conducted under this section, and shall include in the report the hearing officer's determination as to whether the