The Office of Personnel Management shall—
(1)
establish and maintain (and assist in the establishment and maintenance of) research programs to study improved methods and technologies in Federal personnel management;
(2)
evaluate the research programs established under paragraph (1) of this section;
(3)
establish and maintain a program for the collection and public dissemination of information relating to personnel management research and for encouraging and facilitating the exchange of information among interested persons and entities; and
(4)
carry out the preceding functions directly or through agreement or contract.