; (B) the frequency of well failures; and (C) alternative emergency valve designs. (2) A systematic assessment of casing wall thickness assessment tools, which shall— (A) consider multiple tool types and reference wells; and (B) rigorously test and compare the ability of these tools and techniques to identify, locate, and characterize corroded well casings. 14. National energy technology laboratory reforms (a) Special hiring authority for scientific, engineering, and project management personnel (1) In general The Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory shall have the authority to— (A) make appointments to positions in the Laboratory to assist in meeting a specific project or research need, without regard to civil service laws, of individuals who— (i) have an advanced scientific or engineering background; or (ii) have a business background and can assist in specific technology-to-market needs; (B) fix the basic pay of any employee appointed under this section at a rate not to exceed level II of the Executive Schedule; and (C) pay any employee appointed under this section payments in addition to basic pay, except that the total amount of additional payments paid to an employee under this subsection for any 12-month period shall not exceed the least of— (i) $25,000; (ii) the amount equal to 25 percent of the annual rate of basic pay of that employee