I think there's some confusion here on what and how the USDS works.
They embed into government organizations to improve services and systems, bringing expertise that doesn't normally exist in government, while not working directly for the organization they're embedded in.
USDS doesn't follow normal hiring practices either. They recruit directly for limited employment terms, max of 4 years. This helps offset the entrenched beaurocratic mindset that exists in a lot of USG organisations, and allows them to recruit current experts in a particular field.
From the Special Operations analogy this would be equivalent of the Military giving them direct hiring/recruitment ability from both the Armed Services and direct from civilian
#7 "Bring in experienced teams" isn't hollow, it's their core mission.