; experts and consultants (a) Director of staff (1) In general The Commission shall appoint a Director. (2) Pay The Director shall be paid at the rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. (b) Staff (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Director, with the approval of the Commission, may appoint, fix the pay of, and terminate additional personnel. (2) Limitations on appointment The Director may make such appointments without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and any personnel so appointed may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of the annual rate of basic pay payable for GS–15 of the General Schedule. (3) Agency assistance Following consultation with and upon request of the Chair of the Commission, the head of an agency may detail any of the personnel of that agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out the duties of the Commission under this Act. (4) GAO The Comptroller General of the United States shall provide assistance, including the detailing of employees, to the Commission in accordance with an agreement entered into with the Commission. (5) Assistance from other parties Congress, the States, and federally recognized Indian Tribes may provide assistance, including the detailing of employees, to the Commission in accordance with an agreement entered into with the Commission. (c) Experts and consultants The Commission may procure by contract, to the extent funds are available, the temporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants pursuant to section 3109 of title 5, United States Code. 7. Powers and authorities of the commission (a) Hearings The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings to consider issues of