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Originally Posted by wireties
Actually, this is exactly how an open bidding process works in the "real world". The GDC did not respond to requests to "validate a design". That is often how it works (always in my experience). A proposal team does not want to ask a question that is too revealing (because all bidders typically see all responses) and the customer will not answer private queries (to avoid an appearance of favoritism). So one is left with a risk management decision (which 118 did well in my judgment).
FIRST is meant to encourage young people to pursue careers in science and technology. If FRC was simply a game and not meant to mimic the "real world" - Why have Chairman Awards? Why the formal focus on quality and safety? Why have project managers? Why have engineering inspiration awards? Why do it in 6 weeks? Why the effort to use industry standard parts? In my opinion FIRST is definitely mimics the real world (with some limits).
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You're assuming that this similarity is intentional for a very specific reason, rather than coincidental, or intentional for other reasons. And you're also implying that the operation of a competitive bid process is a good thing.
There's more nuance to it than that—a bid process is good when you have strong bidders who represent their own interests effectively, and who don't particularly care about the economic inefficiency caused by incomplete information. I don't think this describes most FIRST teams very well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wireties
Further, in the real world, one also pays to play and assumes a huge risk (no contract award) - at least in FIRST everyone gets their 10-12 matches worth. The $5K is a pittance against what it cost to put the events on. Consider the event volunteers, mentors and teachers and FIRST national staff volunteers. The $5K is just a affirmation of serious intentions in my opinion. Teams are not "customers" who should make demands of FIRST.
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You're conflating overhead related to preparing a bid with a registration fee paid to the event organizer. I don't think that's a good comparison.
In any case, even in a competitive bid, bidders are entitled to equitable treatment by the tenderer. In that sense, they have the right to make demands (e.g. protests) if they feel mistreated. I would say at a minimum, FIRST teams are also entitled to equitable treatment, and to make such demands as are necessary to acquire that.