; (2) the Inspector General of the Department of State; (3) the Inspector General of the United States Agency for International Development; and (4) the Inspector General of any other relevant Federal agency. 8. Powers and authorities (a) Authorities under inspector general Act of 1978 In carrying out the duties specified in section 7, the Special Inspector General shall have the authorities provided under section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, including the authorities under subsection (e) of such section. (b) Audit standards The Special Inspector General shall carry out the duties specified in section 7(a) in accordance with section 4(b)(1) of the Inspector General Act of 1978. 9. Personnel, facilities, and other resources (a) Personnel The Special Inspector General may select, appoint, and employ such officers and employees as may be necessary for carrying out the duties of the Special Inspector General, subject to the provisions of— (1) chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service; and (2) chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. (b) Employment of experts and consultants The Special Inspector General may obtain the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at daily rates not to exceed the equivalent rate prescribed for grade GS–15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of such title. (c) Contracting authority To the extent and in such amounts as may be provided in advance by appropriations Acts, the Special Inspector General may— (1) enter into contracts and other arrangements for audits, studies, analyses, and other services with public agencies and with private persons