Withholding Allowance - COTS parts

[FRC2973]

If a COTS part is put into an assembly and then disassembled to it's original state, is it a COTS part and not included in the weight budget for withholding or is it considered an altered part?

Example 1) If we keep the kit gearboxes and then dissasemble the parts for reassembly at the competition, does the wear on the parts make them altered?

Example 2) If we keep the distribution panel and then remove all the connections and breakers, does the wear on the connecting surfaces from insertion make it altered?

Example 3) If we solder connections to the FP motor tabs and then de-solder to remove it, is the motor considered altered?

[GDC]

The intent behind Rule <R35> is that it applies to true "Commercial, Off-The-Shelf" items. The definition of COTS items provided in Section 8.2 identifies them as items in their "unaltered, unmodified state." If, upon inspection by a reasonably astute individual, the item has been modified, altered, used, or abused, then it no longer satisfies the definition or the intent.

Here is a simple litmus test: if you were purchasing the item with your own money, and it was presented by the vendor as "brand new," would you accept it and pay for it as a "new" item or identify it as a "used" item (and ask for a discount)?