regulations), the Secretary may, beginning on the date of the enactment of this paragraph, exercise direct-hire authority to appoint a minimum of ten qualified candidates to permanent positions within the competitive service in order to carry out management and oversight activities under this section. . (i) Applicability Except as otherwise indicated, the provisions of, including amendments made by, this Act shall not apply to covered entities defined under subparagraphs (A) through (K), (N), or (O) of subsection (a)(4).