; (2) provide guidance to and consult with the Secretary, the Chief Acquisition Officer, the Assistant Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer of the Department, the Under Secretary for Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs with respect to cost estimation in the Department in general and with respect to specific cost estimates and cost analyses to be conducted in connection with a major acquisition program; (3) issue guidance relating to the proper selection of confidence levels in cost estimates generally, and specifically, for the proper selection of confidence levels in cost estimates for major acquisition programs and major automated information system programs; (4) issue guidance relating to full consideration of life-cycle management and sustainability costs in major acquisition programs and major automated information system programs; (5) review all cost estimates and cost analyses conducted in connection with major acquisition programs and major automated information system programs; (6) conduct independent cost estimates and cost analyses for major acquisition programs and major automated information system programs for which the Chief Acquisition Officer is the Milestone Decision Authority— (A) in advance of— (i) any certification under this title; and (ii) any decision to enter into low-rate initial production or full-rate production; and (B) at any other time considered appropriate by the Director or upon the request of the Chief Acquisition Officer