Re: WITH HOLDING
 

Yes that is why I call it a small violation. Falls under the intention of the rule rather than lawyering the letter of the rule. I can see the logic of both ways.
Best not to ask questions to the GDC you really don't want an answer to. :] Q&A would only apply to this years game anyway. It is a mute question for my team. The only gear box it would apply to for us is a nano tuffbox that comes assembled.
They still make those? I guess it would be a custom circuit. You are showing your age. :)

Re: WITH HOLDING
 

What is the definition of a "non-COTS assembly" according the the 2015 game manual. I don't see it in there.

Re: WITH HOLDING
 

You should see my bench...I have a couple of HP power supplies...yes HP, not Agilent....er...Keysight. :rolleyes: Also, having a scope older than I am should be worth something.

Re: WITH HOLDING
 

You are correct. However, the definition of COTS is quite clearly defined. I think we may reasonable infer that a "non-COTS assembly" is an assembly which doesn't qualify as COTS.

Section 4.1: "Many rules in this section reference Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) items. A COTS item must be a standard (i.e. not custom order) part commonly available from a VENDOR for all Teams for purchase. To be a COTS item, the COMPONENT or MECHANISM must be in an unaltered, unmodified state."

The key words in the definition being UNALTERED and UNMODIFIED.

From the Glossary: "COTS – a “Commercial, Off-The-Shelf” COMPONENT or MECHANISM, in its unaltered, unmodified state. A COTS item must be a standard (i.e. not custom order) part commonly available from the VENDOR, available from a non-Team source, and available to all Teams for purchase. Items that are no longer commercially available but are functionally equivalent to the original condition as delivered from the VENDOR are considered COTS and may be used."

Re: WITH HOLDING
 

Probably a better wording would be "fabricated" assembly. When you put to COTs items together or modify a COTs item (assembly), they become "fabricated" rather than COTs

Applying simple logic: anything that does not meet the definition of "COTS" is "NON-COTS"

Re: WITH HOLDING
 

I agree that it could fall under the category of "Fabricated". However, I'm still stuck on the fact that if I buy items "A" and "B" separately and put them together myself, it's called "Fabricated", but if I purchased the exact same 2 items pre-assembled it would be "COTs". That doesn't seem like the intent of the rule.