Greetings Teams:
FRC Manual Q & A System: FIRST recognizes that teams may have questions about game rules, robot construction, event logistics, and more. FIRST asks that teams use the Question & Answer System (Q&A) on the FIRST Forums to post questions pertaining to a specific section within the [FONT=‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’]2011 FRC Game Manual](http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=452)[/font]. Your posted questions will be reviewed by the appropriate moderator and answered in a timely manner (usually within 2-3 business days). The 2011 Question & Answer System, http://forums.usfirst.org/forumdisplay.php?f=1465, is now LIVE.
In order to access the Q&A system, your team’s specific login info can be found on the Team Summary page in your TIMS record. Please assign one individual from your team to act as the Team Rules Expert and only share your team’s unique Username and Password with him/her. This Team Rules Expert should be the only person responsible for posting questions to the Q&A System.
Before posting a question on the Q&A System, we encourage teams to look for the answers to questions first within the 2011 FRC Game Manual and Team Updates. You can review these documents here: http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=960.
Team Updates: When modifications are needed for the 2011 Game Manual , the applicable section will be updated and the revision made. In order to communicate when changes are made, as well as explanations as needed, we will publish a “Team Update ” and post it on the FIRST website twice a week-- on Tuesdays and Fridays. The updates are authored by the Game Design Committee (GDC) and are the official word from FRC. The first Team Update of the season was posted on Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 (linked above).
Note: Email blasts will not be sent each time a Team Update is published. Teams are responsible for checking the site on the days indicated.
FIRST Choice: The FIRST Choice system is available at http://www.andymark.com. To log in to the system and place your order, the main contact for the team must use his/her TIMS username and Q&A Forum password. Teams have until Sunday, January 16th @ 8 PM EST to place orders. For more information about FIRST Choice, please visit: http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=18619.
Replacement Parts System is closed: If you missed the deadline to submit your Kit of Parts request, you must order any parts needed directly from the manufacturer. For a list of parts and manufacturers, click [FONT=‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’]here](http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2011_Assets/Kit_of_Parts/2011_Where_To_Get_More_1-10-11.pdf)[/font].
Make sure you have the right “stuff” for to Robot Ship/Lock-up Day, February 22, 2011: Are you going to a traditional Regional Event this season? If so, did you receive your two FedEx donated Bills of Lading in your Kit of Parts? Are you attending a Bag and Tag event this season? If so, did you receive your bags and tags in your Kit of Parts? Please make sure that you have the necessary materials to ship and/or bag and tag your robot prior to Robot Ship/Lock-up Day, as any team that fails to comply with the deadline may jeopardize their participation in the rest of the FRC season. If you find that you are missing these materials, please email frcteams@usfirst.org as soon as possible to request that these items are sent to you. For everything Robot Shipping, please review Section 5 of the FRC Administrative Manual.
Award Submission Reminders: Don’t forget that submissions for the Chairman’s, Woodie Flowers, and Website Awards are due by 2/17/11 at 11:59 AM EST in STIMS. Additionally, Dean’s List Award submissions are due in TIMSby 2/17/11 at 11:59 AM EST. For more information about all FRC Awards, please visit: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=440.
Go Teams!