On May 2nd OmniAir recieved a notice to proceed from USDOT/RITA/ITSJPO to start work on “Plans, Procedures, and Tools for Qualification and Certification Testing of Connected Vehicle “Here I Am” Devices.” The purpose of the Work Order is to (1) develop and (2) document the plans, procedures, and tools that will be needed to conduct qualification and certification testing for “Here I Am” (HIA) devices, and to (3) conduct said tests.  The certification testing includes the implementation of an informal pilot certification apparatus that is being defined under another OmniAir work order.   The scope for qualification and certification testing is envisioned to use a layered approach that includes a physical medium and format check, a subsystem transmission pattern and other selected operational checks while the device is operating in a moving vehicle, including the ability to sign messages.  The testing includes radio and message level interface testing, as well as minimum performance testing (e.g., radio range and positioning accuracy).  Initial environmental testing is being done at OmniAir-member Southwest Research Institute facilities in San Antonio, TX, USA.  Other OmniAir members involved in the project include MetLabs, Concurrent Technology Corporation, FS Tech, Standards Management, Moring Consulting, Security Innovations, E-ZPass Group and Atkins Global.  Second generation HIA devices are scheduled to arrive directly at SwRI’s facility in early August to undergo a two-week field test.  The goal of the program is to be able to reliably qualify HIA devices for use in the Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot Program underway now.  The Pilot location had not been selected as of this notice, but it consists of a 3,000 vehicle test of connected vehicle technology that can support a NHTSA regulatory recommendation in late 2013.