; and (B) represent a mix of rural and urban settings. (3) National independent evaluator From the amounts appropriated to carry out this section, and prior to awarding any grants under paragraph (1), the Director shall enter into a contract with an external entity to create a single, uniform process to— (A) ensure that entities that receive grants under paragraph (1) comply with the requirements of this section; and (B) evaluate the outcomes of the grant activities carried out by each participating entity. (d) Tracking State progress The Director may use amounts appropriated under subsection (f)(2) to enter into contracts with, or award grants to, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or other entities with relevant monitoring and surveillance expertise, for purposes of— (1) tracking State progress in obesity prevention policies and practices of early care and education programs in States where grantees are present; and (2) measuring changes in food security within exposed groups. (e) Report Not later than 1 year after the completion of the programs and activities funded under grants awarded under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, and all appropriate agencies, a report concerning an evaluation of the results of such programs, activities, and surveillance, including best practices, and lessons derived from the experiences of grantees with respect to reducing and preventing food insecurity and obesity and overweight among children ages birth through 5 years in the early care and education settings. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— (1) $4,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026; and (2) $1,700,000 for fiscal year 2022, to be used to track State progress in obesity prevention policies and practices of early care and education programs in a sentinel set of States as provided for in subsection (d). .