The National Institute of Standards and Technology and the FBI have collaborated to add seven DNA markers in profiles related to criminal investigations in a move scheduled to take effect January 2017.

NIST said Thursday forensic laboratories currently analyze a set of 13 genetic markers to generate profiles that are submitted to FBI’s National DNA Index System.

Criminal laboratories worked to update protocols and apply the bureau’s quality assurance standards in an effort to meet the Jan. 1, 2017 deadline.

NIST said NDIS needs to increase markers to support the certainty of DNA identifications since the system expanded to include approximately 16 million profiles related to criminal investigations and 30,000 for missing person cases.

The agency said the additional markers will also help forensic analysts gather more information in cases where the DNA has started to break down and analysts cannot accurately measure some markers.

NIST research geneticist Mike Coble and his team tested more than 1,000 candidate markers and chose three short markers that are more likely to remain intact after the DNA has begun to break down as well as four markers that showed high variability.

Scientists from the FBI and NIST tested 20-marker profiling kits from different manufacturers against DNA with known profiles to validate the accuracy of results.

FBI gave crime laboratories two years to produce the new kits and pass a series of quality assurance tests.

President Barack Obama has signed legislation that seeks to boost accountability and best practices in project and program management functions across the federal government.

The Project Management Institute said Friday both chambers of the Congress approved the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act of 2015 with bipartisan support.

PMIAA will work to develop a formal job series and career path for program managers in the federal government; create a standards-based program management policy; and appoint a senior executive in federal agencies to oversee program management policy and strategy.

The legislation will also form an interagency council that will work to foster information sharing on program management practices.

PMI said reforms outlined in PMIAA align with the non-profit association’s Pulse of the Profession report that shows investment in program management talent and standards optimize outcomes, accountability and efficiency.

The report found 64 percent of government strategic initiatives achieve goals and business intent and also claims government organizations waste $101 million for every $1 billion spent on project and programs.

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-South Carolina) has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as director of the Office of Management and Budget, Roll Call reported Friday.

Ryan McCrimmon writes Mulvaney is a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus and is in his third term in the lower chamber.

“Right now we are nearly $20 trillion in debt, but Mick is a very high-energy leader with deep convictions for how to responsibly manage our nation’s finances and save our country from drowning in red ink,” Trump said in a statement.

Mulvaney helped draft the “Cut, Cap and Balance” plan in 2011 that seeks to reduce budget deficit and previously served as owner-operator of one of the outlets of restaurant chain Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, McCrimmon reports.

He is likely to help advance tax and healthcare reforms once confirmed by the Senate, Roll Call added.

Eric Beech also reports for Reuters that David Malpass, a senior adviser to Trump and former chief economist at investment bank Bear Stearns, was also considered for the OMB post.

The Bonneville Power Administration has begun its search for a candidate who will serve as both chief information officer and executive vice president of information technology.

The chosen candidate will report directly to BPA’s chief operating officer and will oversee the development, maintenance and operation of the federal power marketing agency’s information systems and IT plans, budget and processes, BPA said in a USAJobs notice published Tuesday.

The incumbent will manage the administration’s cybersecurity programs, collaborate with the Energy Department’s CIO, take part in DOE’s IT and cyber governance boards, and serve as senior adviser to BPA administrator on cybersecurity and IT initiatives.

Other duties include coordination of electric grid operations with IT programs, administrative and technical supervision over the deputy CIO and chief technology officer, and provision of executive direction when it comes to the development of data management policies in compliance with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation – Critical Infrastructure Protection and other regulations.

BPA will accept applications for the position through Jan. 12.