So as some others have pointed out on the software, you pay for it one way or the other unless this next season you chose to go with LabView.
The samantha module issue is that it is something of a kit of parts item, requirement, and this year teams recieved them at NO COST due a a terrific grant to FIRST by the Kauffmann foundation.
(see note at the bottom of this
webpage, scroll all the way down.)
Going forward they are a purchased item but FTC must have had a few (300) left over from the grant and is giving them away to next year's rookie teams on a first come first served basis which seems fair.
I don't have a crystal ball to speak accurately regarding growth but FTC experienced something like a 400 team increase this year so one might project that 75% of new teams next year will get this item for FREE
