; (2) protocols for the evaluation of the performance of diagnostic and serological tests for COVID–19; and (3) a repository of characterized specimens to use to evaluate the performance of those tests that can be made available for appropriate entities to use to evaluate performance. (d) Communication The Secretary shall identify and publicly announce the form and manner for communication with State, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments for purposes of carrying out the activities addressed by guidance issued under subsections (a) and (b). (e) Availability to providers Guidance issued under subsection (a)(1) shall be issued to health care providers. (f) Ongoing provision of guidance and technical assistance Notwithstanding whether funds are available specifically to carry out this subtitle , guidance and technical assistance shall continue to be provided under this section. 30564. Research and development The Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in collaboration with the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall support research and development on more efficient and effective strategies— (1) for the surveillance of SARS–CoV–2 and COVID–19; (2) for the testing and identification of individuals infected with COVID–19; and (3) for the tracing of contacts of individuals infected with COVID–19. 30565. Awareness campaigns The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in coordination with other offices and agencies, as appropriate, shall award competitive grants or contracts to one or more public or private entities, including faith-based organizations, to carry out multilingual and culturally appropriate awareness campaigns. Such campaigns shall— (1) be based on available scientific evidence