In carrying out his functions the Director shall assist and advise the Council on policies and programs of the Federal Government affecting critical and advanced materials by—

(1) providing the professional and administrative staff and support for the Council;

(2) assisting the Federal agencies and departments in appraising the effectiveness of existing and proposed facilities, programs, policies, and activities of the Federal Government, including research and development, which affect critical materials availability and needs;

(3) cataloging, as fully as possible, research and development activities of the Government, private industry, and public and private institutions; and

(4) initiating Government and private studies and analyses, including those to be conducted by or under the auspices of the Council, designed to advance knowledge of critical or advanced materials issues and develop alternative proposals, including research and development, to resolve national critical materials problems.