The BIS STRENGTH Act authorizes the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security to hire up to 25 specialized experts from outside the traditional civil service to fill critical skill gaps that are difficult to recruit for through normal hiring processes. These experts can be appointed for up to five years at salaries up to the Vice President's level, with the Understanding that the department must first conduct annual studies to identify specific expertise gaps. The Under Secretary must report to Congress every six months initially, then annually, detailing which positions were filled, the qualifications of new hires, and their impact on the bureau's mission, particularly regarding export controls. The program terminates five years after enactment, though employees already hired maintain their positions and pay through their appointment terms. All standard background checks and federal ethics requirements still apply to these special hires.