(a)    (1)    The Office shall maintain liaison with:

(i)    the United States Department of Health and Human Services;

(ii)    local government units concerned with energy programs;

(iii)    citizens’ groups;

(iv)    utility vendors and major fuel vendors in the State; and

(v)    any other state, federal, and local units.

(2)    The Office shall:

(i)    consult with and advise the local entities described in paragraph (1) of this subsection regarding their energy assistance programs;

(ii)    work at all levels of government to carry out this subtitle; and

(iii)    consult with all utility vendors and major fuel vendors in the State when developing and implementing the Program.

(b)    The Office shall:

(1)    collect and assemble information relating to energy assistance available from other units of the State and federal governments;

(2)    disseminate information to further energy assistance;

(3)    identify all utility vendors and major fuel vendors in the State and attempt to obtain their voluntary cooperation with the Program;

(4)    establish and maintain a State information service that utilizes a toll–free telephone number to provide the public with information about the Program and the location of the nearest local energy assistance office; and

(5)    establish a mechanism for monitoring the effectiveness of the Program to determine whether eligible households are aware of and have access to a local energy assistance office.

(c)    (1)    Consistent with this subtitle and other applicable laws, the Office may enter into contracts or assume any other function necessary to carry out this subtitle.

(2)    The Office may enter into contracts for any study or research activity that is necessary and proper.