[snoman]

"related question is whether a robot could score auto points for reaching if an alliance partner pushes it into the outer works (reaching is defined based on where a robot is located at the end of the auto period)."

In years past yes. We pushed robots in auto in 2014. I see no reason for FIRST to unallow helping an Alliance member.
You may have to push the non auto robot over the obstacle so you can contact it yourself