; and (2) by adding at the end the following: and who shall hold the same rank and status as the head of an executive department listed in section 101 of title 5, United States Code. . (b) Duties Section 193A(b) ( 42 U.S.C. 12651d(b) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (24), by striking and at the end; (2) in paragraph (25) by striking the period and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (26) notwithstanding any other provision of law— (A) make grants to or contracts with Federal and other public departments or agencies, and private nonprofit organizations, for the assignment or referral of volunteers under the provisions of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 ( 42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq. ) (except as provided in section 108 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 4958 )), which may provide that the agency or organization shall pay all or a part of the costs of the program; and (B) enter into agreements with other Federal agencies or private nonprofit organizations for the support of programs under the national service laws, which— (i) may provide that the agency or organization shall pay all or a part of the costs of the program, except as is provided in section 121(b); and (ii) shall provide that the program (including any program operated by another Federal agency) will comply with all requirements related to evaluation, performance, and other goals applicable to similar programs under the national service laws, as determined by the Administration. . (c) Initial Director The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service (as in existence the day before the date of enactment of this Act) may serve as the initial Director of the AmeriCorps Administration. 104. National service educational awards Section 147(a) ( 42 U.S.C. 12603(a) ) is amended— (1) by striking Except as provided and inserting the following: (1) In general Except as provided