[SS10] referencing ORD files into V8i sheets?

I am working on a project as part of a team of firms.

The lead firm is using ORD for their design (10.10.01.03). We are providing certain design data checks and exhibits, but otherwise only using their files for graphics. We are using Power GeoPak or Power InRoads SS10 (please don't ask...). I would think that we might be able to use their files as references, even if we cannot open them. However, our files become unstable and crash shortly after these reference files are attached. Not immediately, but they do crash, after which our file simply cannot open. At all.

Am I wrong to think that we can reference ORD design files into SS10 DGN files?

Our DOT has not migrated to ORD yet. They have provided a "beta" workspace, but not a full library of ORD standards. Because of this, quite a few firms aren't bothering with the migration either. We are using the older software and older workspace so that we can get our work done with a full library of resources. A few firms are using ORD and have incorporated the beta workspace into their production workflow (although I'm not sure how). Even if we all were able to switch tomorrow, there are innumerable projects in the pipeline. We could end up working in some god-forsaken hybrid environment for far too long. If we can't even use ORD files as references, I'm in for a long decade...