; (4) establish a process for election agencies and election service providers to voluntarily participate in the program by designating specific election systems, periods of time, and circumstances for assessment by independent technical experts; and (5) promptly notify election agencies and election service providers about relevant election cybersecurity vulnerabilities discovered through the competition, and provide technical assistance in remedying the vulnerabilities. (e) Use of service providers The Secretary may award competitive contracts as necessary to manage the program required under subsection (a). (f) Consultation In developing the program required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— (1) the Attorney General to address possible liability for participating individuals under section 1030 of title 18, United States Code, section 1201 of title 17, United States Code, or other relevant Federal law; and (2) the relevant offices at the Department of Defense that were responsible for launching the 2016 Hack the Pentagon pilot program and subsequent Department of Defense bug bounty programs.