(a) State.—
A State may carry out all or any part of its responsibilities under this chapter by contract or cooperative agreement with a qualified nonprofit organization or educational institution.
(b) Secretary.—
(1) In general.—
(A) Authority to assist secretary.—Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the Secretary may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with a State Historic Preservation Officer for any State authorizing the Officer to assist the Secretary in carrying out one or more of the following responsibilities within that State:
(2) Requirements.—The Secretary may enter into a contract or cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) only if—
(C)
the State Historic Preservation Officer agrees to carry out the additional responsibility in a timely and efficient manner acceptable to the Secretary and the Secretary determines that the Officer is fully capable of carrying out the responsibility in that manner;