Quote:
Originally Posted by BiTurboS4
You do realize FIRST pays them to be at each event, which you can be assured that it isn't cheap on FIRST's end either. More over, a few of the folks representing IFI at events, are volunteer's who have only there (sic) costs covered.
Also, at one point, i'm not sure if it's still true, but the loaner equipment was actually owned by FIRST.
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Careful Mr. Fields, you might be letting your bias show through a little there. It would be more factually correct to say that IFI has a contractual obligation to provide support personnel to attend each official FIRST competition event. The cost for that support is mutually agreed upon by both parties involved, and is fair.
That aside, we seem to go through this discussion every year. IFI contributes an enormous amount of time, energy and money into their support of the FIRST program. Beyond the robot control system, they support the field and arena controllers, design and fabrication of the kitbot chassis, design and fabrication of the FIRST CMUcam II, kitbot transmissions, distribution point for the USB Chicklet, distribution point for the FIRST store, and many, many other items. The vast majority of this effort is just based on cost recovery, and much of it is made up of loss leaders.
Yes, they are the only source for several parts that all teams must use to compete. But as Kevin correctly pointed out, the inverse is that they must bear all the cost and risk associated with designing and fabricating a run of parts that are unique to the FRC competition, and cannot be used or sold elsewhere (who else is going to buy a folded metal pan and tilt stand for a custom CMUcam II unit?). If FIRST changes their mind about including a custom-built IFI part in the Kit Of Parts late in the development process, IFI must eat the whole cost (and they have in the past).
FIRST and IFI both receive a significant benefit from their partnership. But all of that benefit is focused on mutual support for the FRC program, and not making a fortune by financially pillaging the teams that are served. FIRST and the teams get a robot control and radio system that is pretty much rock solid, and has had very very few problems over the years. IFI gets to work with a well-established customer base, they get to work with an organization and a program that they obviously enjoy, and if things work out well they get their costs covered. The teams get good service and support from both organizations. Everyone comes out ahead.
-dave