department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive branch, including any independent agency, any recommendations directed toward said department, agency, or instrumentality, and said department, agency, or instrumentality shall furnish the Commission within 90 days a written response that shall be included in any publication of the Commission’s recommendations. (c) Executive Director The Commission shall have power to appoint and remove an Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level III of the Executive Schedule (section 5314 of title 5, United States Code). Such appointment shall be made solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the position and without regard to political affiliation. (d) Staff Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Commission, the Executive Director shall have the power to— (1) appoint, fix the compensation of, and remove such other personnel as the Executive Director deems necessary