; (2) improve access to artificial intelligence resources for researchers and students of artificial intelligence, including groups historically underrepresented in STEM; (3) improve capacity for artificial intelligence research in the United States; and (4) support the testing, benchmarking, and evaluation of artificial intelligence systems developed and deployed in the United States. (b) Program Management Office (1) Establishment The Director of the National Science Foundation shall establish within the National Science Foundation a Program Management Office to oversee the day-to-day functions of the NAIRR and shall appoint an individual to head the Program Management Office. (2) Staff (A) In general The head of the Program Management Office may identify staff and direct all employees of the Program Management Office, in accordance with the applicable provisions of title 5, United States Code. (B) Representation and requirements The staff of the Program Management Office— (i) may include representation from other Federal agencies providing support for NAIRR resources; and (ii) shall include not fewer than 3 full-time employees. (3) Duties The duties of the Program Management Office shall include— (A) in coordination with the NAIRR Steering Subcommittee and any relevant Advisory Committee as appropriate— (i) developing the funding opportunity and soliciting bids for the Operating Entity, which will be responsible for operation of the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource; (ii) selecting, through a competitive and transparent process, a nongovernmental organization, which may be an independent legal entity or a consortium of 1 or more partners (which may include federally funded research and development centers), to be designated the Operating Entity; (iii) overseeing compliance with the contractual obligations of the Operating Entity; (iv) establishing evaluation criteria for the NAIRR; (v) overseeing asset allocation and utilization; (vi) identifying an external independent evaluation entity