(a) Establishment
There is established within the Service an office, to be known as the "Office of Direct Service Tribes".

(b) Treatment
The Office of Direct Service Tribes shall be located in the Office of the Director.

(c) Duties
The Office of Direct Service Tribes shall be responsible for—

(1) providing Service-wide leadership, guidance and support for direct service tribes to include strategic planning and program evaluation;

(2) ensuring maximum flexibility to tribal health and related support systems for Indian beneficiaries;

(3) serving as the focal point for consultation and participation between direct service tribes and organizations and the Service in the development of Service policy;

(4) holding no less than biannual consultations with direct service tribes in appropriate locations to gather information and aid in the development of health policy; and

(5) directing a national program and providing leadership and advocacy in the development of health policy, program management, budget formulation, resource allocation, and delegation support for direct service tribes.