; and (4) shall require that— (A) scientific conclusions are not made based on political considerations; (B) the selection and retention of candidates for science and technology positions in the covered agency are based primarily on the candidate’s expertise, scientific credentials, experience, and integrity; (C) personnel actions regarding covered individuals, except for political appointees, are not taken on the basis of political consideration or ideology; (D) covered individuals adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards in conducting their research and disseminating their findings; (E) the appropriate rules, procedures, and safeguards are in place to ensure the integrity of the scientific process within the covered agency; (F) scientific or technological information considered in policy decisions is subject to well-established scientific processes, including peer review where appropriate; (G) procedures, including procedures with respect to applicable whistleblower protections, are in place as are necessary to ensure the integrity of scientific and technological information and processes on which the covered agency relies in its decision making or otherwise uses; and (H) enforcement of such policy is consistent with the processes for an administrative hearing and an administrative appeal. (c) Implementation In carrying out subsection (a), the head of each covered agency shall— (1) design the scientific integrity policy to apply with respect to the covered agency; (2) ensure that such policy is clear with respect to what activities are permitted and what activities are not permitted; (3) ensure that there is a process for individuals not employed or contracted by the agency, including grantees, collaborators, partners, and volunteers, to report violations of the scientific integrity policy; (4) enforce such policy uniformly throughout the covered agency