My problem can be summarized as follows:

I have Part A with configurations 1, 2, and 3.  Each of these configurations has a distinct length but is otherwise identical.

I created an assembly with configurations 1, 2, and 3, each of which uses the respective configuration of Part A.

I have added Parts B, C, D, ...  to the assembly, the lengths of which I would like to be driven by the active configuration of Part A in the assembly.

It is irrelevant to me whether or not the secondary parts have configurations for each length; all that is needed is to have an assembly with part lengths true to the length of the active configuration of Part A.  Thus far, when I have linked a dimension to Part A, switching assembly configurations changes the length of Part A (i.e., updates the active configuration) but does not alter the length of any linked components.  Is what I am trying to do possible in Solidworks?