(a) The Secretary shall determine the number of SBRBPAS slots to be allocated to each participating operating division, taking into account the need for such expertise within the operating division.

(b) The SBRBPAS Policy Board may advise the Secretary regarding adjustments to the allocation of slots at any time.

(c) SBRBPAS appointments shall be made judiciously in supporting the recruitment and retention of outstanding and qualified scientific and technical experts in the fields of biomedical research, clinical research evaluation, and biomedical product assessment.

(d) The Secretary will ensure that SBRBPAS assignments are used primarily in support of high priority programs authorized by Congress and which directly support the goals and priorities of the Department in the areas of biomedical research, clinical research evaluation or biomedical product assessment.