; and (5) be responsible for the oversight of— (A) the studies carried out by the Federal Government relating to enhancing public safety communication; and (B) the prototyping (including leading edge prototyping) and deployment by the Federal Government of advanced communications technologies that enhance public safety communications, including through test-protocol, model, or simulation tool for the testing and validation of such technologies; (6) manage the First Responder Network Authority established under section 6206 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 ( 47 U.S.C. 1426 ), including by being responsible for the oversight of the duties and responsibilities carried out by the First Responder Network Authority; (7) at the direction of the Assistant Secretary, communicate public safety communications policies to public entities, including the Commission and Congress, or private entities; and (8) carry out any duties regarding the responsibilities of the NTIA with respect to public safety communications policy as the Assistant Secretary may designate. (d) Audit The Associate Administrator— (1) shall annually conduct an audit of the activities of the First Responder Network Authority in accordance with general accounting principles and procedures; and (2) may conduct such audit (or parts thereof) through a contractor whose services were procured in accordance with title 41, United States Code. .