[Al Skierkiewicz]

Steven,
<R29> COTS items from ROBOTS entered in previous FIRST competitions or COTS items that are no longer commercially available may be used under the following conditions:
A. The item must be functionally equivalent to the original condition as delivered from the VENDOR (e.g. a part that has non-functional label markings added would be permitted, but a part that has device-specific mounting holes added would be prohibited), and
B. The item must satisfy ALL applicable 2011 FRC materials/parts use rules.
<R30> Parts custom-made for FIRST and provided to FRC teams in the KOP for previous FRC competitions (e.g. 2006 FRC transmissions, custom-made motor couplers, custom sensor strips, FRC CMUcam II modules, etc.) may be used if the part is still functionally equivalent to the original condition.

As far as cost, I don't see a rule that specifically applies so the Q&A is the best place for an answer. However, this should cover it but I think that C applies...
4.3.5 Cost Determination of Additional Parts
The "cost" of each non-KOP item is calculated based on the following criteria, as applicable:
A. The purchase price of a COTS item offered for sale by a VENDOR to any customer.
B. The total cost (materials + labor) of an item you pay someone else to make.
C. The fair market value of an item obtained at a discount or as a donation. Fair market value is that price at which the supplier would normally offer the item to other customers. Also considered to be "fair market value" are the discounted prices offered to all teams by suppliers with established relations with FIRST.

Since the robot rules continuously calls out 2011 KOP, I don't think previous year's KOP applies in the above rule.