10-Q 1 d653977d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 333–89756

 

 

 

 

LOGO

Alion Science and Technology Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   54–2061691

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation of Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1300

McLean, VA 22102

(703) 918–4480

(Address, including Zip Code and Telephone Number with Area Code, of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    ¨  Yes    x  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer   ¨    Accelerated Filer   ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer   x  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller Reporting Company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares outstanding of Alion Science and Technology Corporation Common Stock as of

February 14, 2013 was: Common Stock 7,641,493

 

 

 


Table of Contents

ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (unaudited)

     1   
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

     1   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (unaudited)

     2   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

     3   
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

     4   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     32   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     46   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     46   
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     47   

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     47   

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     47   

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     47   

Item 4.

  

Mine Saftey Disclosures

     47   

Item 5.

  

Other Information

     47   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     48   


Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

As of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013

 

     December 31,     September 30,  
     2013     2013  
     (In thousands, except share and per
share information)
 

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,687      $ 25,613   

Accounts receivable, net

     168,963        172,604   

Receivable due from ESOP Trust

     —         930   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     5,648        4,483   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     179,298        203,630   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     9,070        9,668   

Intangible assets, net

     1,735        2,040   

Goodwill

     398,921        398,921   

Other assets

     10,368        10,367   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 599,392      $ 624,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

    

Interest payable

   $ 15,590      $ 17,758   

Secured Notes

     326,313        —    

Trade accounts payable

     59,536        61,622   

Accrued liabilities

     36,909        39,393   

Accrued payroll and related liabilities

     31,733        37,954   

Billings in excess of revenue earned

     4,562        4,334   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     474,643        161,061   

Secured Notes

     —         322,286   

Unsecured Notes

     234,038        233,832   

Accrued compensation and benefits, excluding current portion

     5,998        5,736   

Non-current portion of lease obligations

     12,540        12,821   

Deferred income taxes

     59,873        58,130   

Commitments and contingencies

    

Redeemable common stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; 7,641,493 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013; 7,641,391 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013

     61,896        61,895   

Common stock warrants

     20,785        20,785   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     130        130   

Accumulated deficit

     (270,511     (252,050
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable common stock and accumulated deficit

   $ 599,392      $ 624,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     (In thousands, except share
and per share information)
 

Contract revenue

   $ 185,380      $ 204,329   

Direct contract expense

     145,275        160,635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     40,105        43,694   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

     18,864        22,250   

General and administrative

     18,993        11,804   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     2,248        9,640   

Other income (expense):

    

Interest income

     11        17   

Interest expense

     (18,948     (18,919

Other

     (28     (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (18,965     (18,917

Loss before taxes

     (16,717     (9,277

Income tax expense

     (1,745     (1,744
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (18,462   $ (11,021
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

   $ (2.41   $ (1.64
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and weighted average common shares outstanding

     7,659,817        6,726,417   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (18,462   $ (11,021

Other comprehensive income:

    

Postretirement actuarial gains

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

   $ (18,462   $ (11,021
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

Net loss

   $ (18,462   $ (11,021

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,307        2,491   

Bad debt expense

     250        —    

Paid-in-kind interest

     1,660        1,626   

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     2,694        2,656   

Incentive and stock-based compensation

     805        752   

Deferred income taxes

     1,744        1,744   

Other gains

     90        4   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     3,391        (3,166

Other assets

     (759     (189

Trade accounts payable

     (2,085     15,087   

Accrued liabilities

     (8,317     (15,063

Interest payable

     (2,168     (1,545

Other liabilities

     (53     307   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (19,903     (6,317

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (273     (603
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (273     (603

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Payment of debt issue costs

     (750     —    

Revolver borrowings

     10,000        —    

Revolver repayments

     (10,000     —    

Redeemable common stock purchased from ESOP Trust

     (934     (1,975

Redeemable common stock sold to ESOP Trust

     934        1,129   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (750     (846

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (20,926     (7,766

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     25,613        27,227   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 4,687      $ 19,461   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 16,746      $ 16,164   

Cash paid for taxes

     —         —    

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Paid-in-kind notes issued

   $ 3,298      $ 3,234   

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(1) Description and Formation of the Business

Alion Science and Technology Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company, Alion or we) provide advanced engineering, information technology, naval architecture and operational solutions to strengthen national security and drive business results. For customers in defense, civilian government, foreign governments and commercial industries worldwide, Alion’s engineered solutions support smarter decision-making and enhanced readiness in rapidly-changing environments.

Alion was formed as a for-profit S Corporation in October 2001, to purchase substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of IIT Research Institute (IITRI), a not-for-profit corporation controlled by the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). In December 2002, Alion acquired substantially all of IITRI’s assets and liabilities except its Life Sciences Operation, for $127.3 million. Prior to that, the Company’s activities were organizational in nature. In 2010, the Company became a C corporation when it ceased to qualify as an S corporation.

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alion Science and Technology Corporation (a Delaware corporation), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), have been omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting and include the accounts of Alion and its wholly-owned subsidiaries from their date of acquisition or formation. All inter-company accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. There have been no changes to Alion’s subsidiaries in the current fiscal year.

In management’s opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications that are necessary for fair presentation of the periods presented. The results for the three months ended December 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013.

Going Concern Assumption

The accompanying financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Alion has a history of losses that has resulted, in part, in the Company not having the means to repay the principal associated with our Secured and Unsecured Notes as they come due on November 1, 2014 and February 1, 2015, respectively. In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, our Secured Notes were reclassified to current liabilities based on their November 1, 2014 maturity. Our Unsecured Notes will be reclassified to current liabilities in the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

Our liabilities exceed our assets which makes refinancing our debt more difficult and expensive. Operating cash flow is insufficient to repay the Secured and Unsecured Notes at maturity, which raises substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Management’s current forecasts of future results could differ materially due to general economic uncertainties, sequestration’s effect on government spending levels in the coming fiscal year, collections delays from the October 2013 government shutdown and risks associated with future federal government procurement and contracting actions. Management’s cash flow projections indicate that absent a refinancing transaction or series of transactions, the Company will be unable to pay the principal and accumulated unpaid interest on its Secured and Unsecured Notes when those instruments come due in November 2014 and February 2015.

Our Credit Agreement financial statement covenant requires an audit opinion without a “going concern” explanatory note or any similar qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit. In anticipation of receiving an audit opinion including a “going concern” explanatory note, in December 2013 Alion and its Credit Agreement lenders agreed to waive this financial covenant. The Company paid no fee for this waiver.

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Alion depends heavily on federal government prime contracts and subcontracts which account for nearly all the Company’s revenue. Interruptions in the government funding process, whether from federal budget delays, debt ceiling limitations, government shutdowns, sequestration or Department of Defense spending cuts could materially adversely affect the Company’s revenue and cash flows for the coming fiscal year and beyond. This could cause Alion to be unable to fund operations, meet debt service requirements or comply with the Credit Agreement’s Consolidated EBITDA covenant.

If Alion were unable to meet the Credit Agreement Consolidated EBITDA covenant, the Company would be unable to borrow funds under the revolving credit facility which would remove a source of liquidity for the Company. Alion could be required to immediately repay any amount then outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The Company could seek an additional covenant waiver or an amendment to the Credit Agreement in order to preserve its ability to borrow funds as and when needed. The Credit Agreement expires on August 22, 2014. Management can provide no assurance that Alion would be able to obtain an amendment or waiver, or if one were available, that the terms would be favorable. If the Company were unable to obtain a requested waiver or amendment, it might be unable to pay its debts as they became due. In each of the past three fiscal years, Alion generated sufficient cash flow from operations to fulfill its financial commitments, including debt service.

Management is actively engaged in efforts to refinance, retire or amend Alion’s existing debt agreements. On December 24, 2013, we executed a Refinancing Support Agreement with the holders of a majority of our outstanding Unsecured Notes regarding potential transactions to refinance our outstanding indebtedness. Management can provide no assurance that Alion will be able to conclude a refinancing of its Unsecured Notes or that additional financing will be available to retire or replace the Secured Notes, and if available, that terms of any transaction would be favorable.

On the basis of these risks and uncertainties, management has determined that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Alion’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible effects on the recoverability of assets or the amounts of liabilities that may result from resolving uncertainties about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Fiscal, Quarter and Interim Periods

Alion’s fiscal year ends on September 30. The Company operates based on a three-month quarter, four-quarter fiscal year with quarters ending December 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30.

Use of Estimates

Preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported for assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of financial statement dates and amounts reported for operating results for each period presented. Actual results are likely to differ from those estimates, but management does not believe such differences will materially affect Alion’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

Alion derives its revenue from delivering technology services under three types of contracts. Some contracts provide for reimbursement of costs plus fees; others are fixed-price or time-and-material type contracts. We recognize revenue when a contract has been executed, the contract price is fixed or determinable, delivery of services or products has occurred, and our ability to collect the contract price is considered reasonably assured. Alion applies the percentage-of-completion method in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 605 – Revenue Recognition to recognize revenue.

Alion recognizes revenue on cost-reimbursement contracts as it incurs costs and includes estimated fees earned. The Company recognizes time-and-material contract revenue at negotiated, fixed, contractually billable rates as it delivers labor hours and incurs other direct expenses. We use various performance measures under the percentage-of-completion method to recognize revenue for fixed-price contracts. Estimating contract costs at completion and recognizing revenue appropriately involve significant management estimates. Actual costs may differ from estimated costs and affect estimated profitability and revenue recognition timing. From time to time, facts develop that require us to revise estimated total costs or expected revenue. We record the cumulative effect of revised estimates in the period when the facts requiring revised estimates

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

become known. We recognize the full amount of anticipated losses on any contract in the period a loss becomes known. For each of the periods presented, the cumulative effects of revised estimates were immaterial to the Company’s financial performance.

U.S. federal government contracts are subject to periodic funding by our contracting agency customers. A customer may fund a contract at inception or incrementally throughout the period of performance as services are provided. If we determine contract funding is not probable, we defer revenue recognition until realization is probable. The federal government can audit Alion’s contract costs and adjust amounts through negotiation. The federal government considers Alion a major contractor and maintains an office on site. The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) is currently auditing our 2007 claimed indirect costs. We are negotiating our 2006 indirect rates and have settled our rates through 2005. We timely submitted our indirect cost proposals for all open fiscal years. We have recorded revenue on federal government contracts in amounts we expect to realize.

We recognize revenue on unpriced change orders as we incur expenses and only to the extent it is probable we will recover such costs. The Company recognizes revenue in excess of costs on unpriced change orders only when management can also estimate beyond a reasonable doubt the amount of excess and experience provides a sufficient basis for recognition. Alion recognizes revenue on claims as expenses are incurred and only to the extent it is probable we will recover such costs and can reliably estimate the amount we will recover.

Income Taxes

Alion accounts for income taxes by applying the provisions in currently enacted tax laws. We determine deferred income taxes based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax bases of our assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax provisions and benefits change as assets or liabilities change from year to year. In providing for deferred taxes, Alion considers the tax regulations of the jurisdictions where we operate; estimated future taxable income; and available tax planning strategies. If tax regulations, operating results or the ability to implement tax-planning strategies change, the carrying value of deferred tax assets and liabilities may require adjustment.

Alion has a history of operating losses for both tax and financial statement purposes. The Company has recorded valuation allowances equal to deferred tax assets based on the likelihood that we may not be able to realize the value of these assets. Alion recognizes the benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would “more likely than not” sustain our position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the “more likely than not” threshold, we recognize the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers cash in banks, and deposits with financial institutions with maturities of three months or less at time of purchase which it can liquidate without prior notice or penalty, to be cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Billings in Excess of Revenue Earned

Accounts receivable include billed accounts receivable and unbilled receivables. Unbilled receivables consist of costs and fees which are billable upon occurrence of a specific event, amounts billable after the balance sheet date and revenue in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts (accumulated project expenses and fees which were not billed or were not currently billable as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet). Unbilled accounts receivable include revenue recognized for customer-requested work Alion performed on new and existing contracts for which the Company had not received contracts or contract modifications. Accounts receivable are stated as estimated realized value. The allowance for doubtful accounts is Alion’s best estimate of the amount of probable losses in the Company’s existing billed and unbilled accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance using specific identification and historical write-off experience based on receivable age. Billings in excess of revenue and advance collections from customers represent amounts received from or billed to customers in excess of project revenue recognized to date.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Leasehold improvements, software and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs that do not add significant value or significantly lengthen an asset’s useful life are charged to current operations. Software and equipment are depreciated on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (typically 3 years for software and 5 years for

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

equipment). Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the life of the lease. Upon sale or retirement of an asset, costs and related accumulated depreciation are deducted from the accounts, and any gain or loss is recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill

Alion assigns the purchase price paid to acquire the stock or assets of a business to the net assets acquired based on the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is the purchase price in excess of the estimated fair value of the tangible net assets and separately identified intangible assets acquired. There have been no changes to goodwill carrying value this year.

The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350 – Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. Alion operates in one segment and tests goodwill at the reporting unit level. There are two reporting units. We review goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter each year, and whenever events or circumstances indicate goodwill might be impaired. We are required to recognize an impairment loss to the extent our goodwill carrying value at the reporting unit level exceeds fair value. Evaluating goodwill involves significant management estimates. To date, our annual reviews have resulted in no goodwill impairment adjustments. See Note 8 for a detailed discussion of the Company’s goodwill impairment testing process.

Intangible Assets

Alion amortizes intangible assets as it consumes economic benefits over estimated useful lives. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $1.7 million in net intangible assets, including contracts purchased in the JJMA acquisition and purchased software licenses. The JJMA contract portfolio has a remaining useful life of approximately 1.5 years.

Redeemable Common Stock

There is no public market for Alion’s redeemable common stock and therefore no observable price for its equity, individually or in the aggregate. The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Trust holds all the Company’s outstanding common stock. Under certain circumstances, ESOP beneficiaries can require the ESOP Trust to distribute the value of their beneficial interests. The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) require the Company to offer ESOP participants who receive Alion common stock a liquidity put right. The put right requires the Company to purchase distributed shares at their then- current fair market value at any time during two put option periods. Common stock distributed by the ESOP Trust is subject to a right of first refusal. Prior to any subsequent transfer, shares must first be offered to the Company and then to the ESOP Trust. Eventual redemption of shares of Alion common stock as a result of distributions is outside the Company’s control. Therefore, Alion classifies its outstanding shares of redeemable common stock as other than permanent equity.

At each reporting date, Alion is required to increase or decrease the reported value of its outstanding common stock to reflect its estimated redemption value. Management estimates the value of Alion’s obligation to repurchase its outstanding shares of redeemable common stock by considering, in part, the most recent price at which the Company was able to sell shares to the ESOP Trust. The reported value of outstanding redeemable common stock equals the current share price multiplied by total shares issued and outstanding.

In its fiduciary capacity, the ESOP Trustee is independent of the Company and its management. Consistent with its fiduciary responsibilities, the ESOP Trustee retains an independent third party valuation firm to assist it in determining the fair market value (share price) at which the ESOP Trustee may acquire or dispose of investments in Alion common stock. The Audit and Finance Committee of Alion’s Board of Directors reviews the reasonableness of the amount management has determined Alion should recognize for the Company’s obligation to repurchase shares of its outstanding redeemable common stock. The Audit and Finance Committee considers various factors in its review, including, in part, the most recent valuation report prepared for, and the share price selected by the ESOP Trustee.

Alion records changes in the reported value of its outstanding common stock through an offsetting charge or credit to accumulated deficit. The Company recognizes changes in the fair value of its redeemable common stock on March 31 and September 30 each year. The accumulated deficit at December 31, 2013, included a $67.5 million cumulative benefit for changes in share price which reduced the Company’s aggregate share redemption obligation. Outstanding redeemable common stock had an aggregate fair value of approximately $61.9 million as of December 31, 2013.

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

Alion is subject to credit risk for its cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company believes the high credit quality of its cash equivalent investments limits its credit risk with respect to such investments. Alion believes its concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited as the receivables are principally due from the federal government. Approximately 21% of the Company’s receivables are due from commercial customers including other prime contractors.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Alion is required to disclose the fair value of its financial instruments but is not required to record its senior long-term debt at fair value. See Note 10 for a discussion of Alion’s current and long-term debt and Note 11 for the related fair value disclosures. The fair value of cash, cash equivalents, accounts payable and accounts receivable does not differ materially from carrying value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

Alion accounts for operating leases entered into in the routine course of business in accordance with ASC 840 – Leases. We have no off-balance sheet financing arrangements other than operating leases and letters of credit under our revolving credit facility. Alion has no relationship with any unconsolidated or special purpose entity and has not issued any associated guarantees.

 

(3) Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and ESOP Trust

In December 2001, the Company adopted the Alion Science and Technology Corporation Employee Ownership, Savings and Investment Plan (the Plan, the KSOP) and established the ESOP Trust. The Plan, a tax qualified retirement plan, includes an ESOP and a 401(k) component. In April 2010, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a determination letter that the ESOP Trust and the Plan, as amended and restated as of October 1, 2006, including Plan amendments executed in June 2009 and May 2010 qualify under IRC Sections 401(a) and 501(a).

In August 2008, Alion amended the Trust Agreement between the Company and the ESOP Trust. In June 2011, the Company amended the Plan to eliminate the one year service requirement for employer 401(k) matching contributions; to automatically enroll new hires in the Plan’s 401(k) component; and to designate profit sharing contributions exclusively in Alion common stock.

In September 2013, Alion amended the Plan to delay transfer to the Company of employee contributions for investment in the ESOP component of the Plan and to delay the Company’s contribution to the Plan for the six months ended September 30, 2013. The September 2013 amendment permitted delaying the valuation of Alion’s common stock until the due date (including extensions) for filing the Company’s federal tax return for the current fiscal year. The Company believes the Plan and the ESOP Trust have been designed and are being operated in compliance with applicable IRC requirements.

 

(4) Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding excluding the impact of warrants. Warrants are anti-dilutive for all periods presented even after including required adjustments to the earnings per share numerator. On March 22, 2010, Alion issued 310,000 Units that included the Secured Notes and warrants to purchase 602,614 shares of Alion common stock The Secured Note warrants have a penny per share exercise price, are currently exercisable and expire March 15, 2017. The Secured Note warrants are not redeemable or puttable; they are classified as permanent equity.

 

(5) Redeemable Common Stock

The ESOP Trust owns all of Alion’s issued and outstanding common stock, for the benefit of current and former employee participants in the Alion KSOP. Participants and beneficiaries are entitled to a distribution of the fair value of their vested ESOP account balance upon death, disability, retirement or termination of employment. The Plan permits distributions to be paid over a five year period commencing the first ESOP valuation after a participant’s retirement at age 65, death or disability. Alion can delay distributions to other terminating participants for six years before commencing payment over a subsequent five year period. The Company intends to pay distribution requests in annual installments and defer initial payments as permitted.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Terminating ESOP participants can hold or immediately sell their distributed shares to the Company. If a participant elects to hold distributed shares, the IRC and ERISA require Alion to offer a put option to allow the recipient to sell stock to Alion at the estimated fair value share price based on the most recent price at which the Company was able to sell shares to the ESOP Trust ($16.25 at March 31, 2013 and $8.10 at September 30, 2013). The put right requires Alion to purchase distributed shares during two put option periods at then-current fair market value.

Consistent with its duty of independence from Alion management and its fiduciary responsibilities, the ESOP Trustee retains an independent third party valuation firm to assist it in determining the fair market value (share price) at which the Trustee may acquire or dispose of investments in Alion common stock. The September 30, 2013 valuation occurred on its normal schedule.

Alion management determines, and the Board of Directors’ Audit and Finance Committee reviews, the reasonableness of Alion’s recorded redeemable common stock liability. The Audit and Finance Committee considers various factors in its review, including in part, the ESOP valuation report and the share price selected by the ESOP Trustee. Management considers the share price selected by the ESOP Trustee along with other factors in estimating Alion’s aggregate liability for outstanding redeemable common stock.

 

(6) Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     December 31,
2013
    September 30,
2013
 
     (In thousands)  

Billed receivables and amounts billable as of the balance sheet date

   $ 104,581      $ 102,211   

Unbilled receivables:

    

Amounts billable after the balance sheet date

     28,107        36,693   

Revenues recorded in excess of milestone billings on fixed price contracts

     3,825        3,289   

Revenues recorded in excess of estimated contract value or funding

     17,803        14,605   

Retainages and other amounts billable upon contract completion

     18,635        19,557   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (3,988     (3,751
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Accounts Receivable

   $ 168,963      $ 172,604   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Billed accounts receivable include invoices issued to customers for services performed as of the balance sheet date. Unbilled accounts receivable represent revenue recognized as of the balance sheet date for which Alion has yet to issue invoices to customers. Amounts that are currently billable are expected to be invoiced to customers within the next twelve months. Fixed-price contract revenue in excess of milestone billings is not yet contractually billable. Revenue in excess of contract value or funding is billable when Alion receives contract amendments or modifications. Approximately $135.8 million (79%) and $137.5 million (78%) of contract receivables at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 were from federal government prime contracts.

At December 31, 2013, Alion recognized $68.4 million in revenue in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts including approximately $17.8 million for customer-requested work for which the Company had not received contracts or contract modifications. At September 30, 2013, Alion had recognized $74.1 million in revenue in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts including approximately $14.6 million for customer-requested work for which the Company had not received contracts or contract modifications.

Retainages and other unbilled amounts are billable upon contract completion or completion of DCAA audits. In keeping with industry practice, Alion classifies all contract-related accounts receivable as current assets based on contractual operating cycles which frequently exceed one year. Except for $18.6 million at December 31, 2013, the Company expects to invoice and collect unbilled receivables within the next twelve months.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(7) Property, Plant and Equipment

 

     December 31,
2013
    September 30,
2013
 
     (In thousands)  

Leasehold improvements

   $ 12,603      $ 12,984   

Equipment and software

     35,314        35,203   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost

     47,917        48,187   

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (38,847     (38,519
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Property, Plant and Equipment

   $ 9,070      $ 9,668   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation for fixed assets and leasehold amortization expense was approximately $778 thousand and $788 thousand for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

(8) Goodwill

The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets according to ASC 350 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (ASC 350) which requires that Alion review goodwill at least annually for impairment or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate goodwill might be impaired. The Company performs this review at the end of each fiscal year. As of September 30, 2013, Alion had approximately $398.9 million in goodwill. There were no changes to the goodwill carrying amount for the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, nor were there any significant events this year that indicated a potential impairment to goodwill as of September 30, 2013.

Alion operates in one segment and tests goodwill at the reporting unit level. Each of Alion’s two reporting units delivers a similar set of professional engineering, scientific and technical services to a wide array of federal government customers, principally within the Department of Defense. Each reporting unit provides the full range of services Alion offers to customers overall.

Alion’s management has organized reporting units based on managerial responsibility and administrative structure, contract portfolios, and the availability of discrete financial information. Management evaluates reporting unit financial performance based on contract revenue and non-GAAP operating income. Alion does not maintain reporting unit balance sheets and does not track cash flows by reporting unit.

Management identifies reporting units as “sectors” which in turn include lower level business units identified as “groups” consisting of still lower level “operations.” For each business combination, management assigned the goodwill arising from acquisitions to the reporting unit or units expected to benefit from the synergies of that business combination. Coincident with its goodwill determination and purchase price allocation, management assigned assets acquired to reporting units based on the unit or units anticipated to utilize such assets. Management did not allocate to reporting units the liabilities arising from business combinations. Alion’s reporting units are the Engineering and Integration Solutions Sector (EISS) and the Technology, Engineering and Operational Solutions Sector (TEOSS). Management assigned $197.0 million in goodwill to EISS and $201.9 million in goodwill to TEOSS.

In 2013, TEOSS had $477 million in contract revenue and EISS had $371 million in contract revenue. Total contract revenue for all reporting units does not equal Alion’s total reported revenue because reporting unit contract revenue does not include $292 thousand in inter-company eliminations, discounts, and GSA industrial funding fees which the Company does not track by reporting unit.

Management applied the guidance in ASC 350 and the related guidance in ASC Topic 280 Segment Reporting to analyze Alion’s reporting units to determine the appropriate level at which to test goodwill for potential impairment. The Company employs a reasonable, supportable and consistent method to assign goodwill to reporting units expected to benefit from the synergies arising from acquisitions. Alion determined reporting unit goodwill in a manner similar to the way it determines goodwill in a purchase allocation by using fair value to determine reporting unit purchase price, assets, liabilities and goodwill. Reporting unit residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill. The Company allocates the goodwill related to acquisitions on a specific identification basis consistent with reporting unit structure.

The Company performs its own independent analysis to determine whether goodwill is potentially impaired. Management performs a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. The Company

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

compares the aggregated fair value per the discounted cash flow model to the fair value indicated by the market multiples used in the stock valuation. Management independently determines the rates and assumptions it uses to: perform its goodwill impairment analysis; assess the probability of future contracts and revenue; and evaluate the recoverability of goodwill. At September 30, 2013, executed contract backlog was approximately 2.6 times trailing twelve month revenue.

Alion’s cash flow analysis depends on several significant management inputs and assumptions. Management uses observable inputs, rates and assumptions generally consistent with those used by the independent third party to prepare the valuation report for the ESOP Trustee. However, management’s sensitivity analyses also incorporated a more conservative range of growth assumptions in addition to assumptions generally consistent with those used by the independent third party to prepare the valuation report for the ESOP Trust. These sensitivity analyses are designed to stress management’s best estimate of the Company’s financial forecast for purposes of understanding whether a reasonable decline in growth would cause the associated expected discounted cash flows to fall below the reporting units’ carrying value. Management’s cash flow analysis includes the following significant inputs and assumptions: estimated future revenue and revenue growth; estimated future operating margins and EBITDA; observable market multiples for comparable companies; and a discount rate management believes is consistent with a market-based weighted average cost of capital. Management includes EBITDA in its analysis in order to use publicly available valuation data.

In Alion’s impairment testing in fiscal 2013, market multiples for trailing twelve month EBITDA for comparable companies (publicly traded professional services government contractors) ranged from a low of 7.6 to a high of 18.2, with a median value of 13.4. Market multiples for trailing twelve month revenue ranged from a low of 0.30 to a high of 3.01, with a median value of 1.36. Management based its goodwill impairment testing valuation on discounted cash flows, and revenue and EBITDA multiples. Management discounted median market multiples by approximately 30% to reflect Alion’s recent financial performance compared to its peers and the significant uncertainties in the professional services government contracting marketplace likely to adversely affect future financial performance. Management used a weighted average cost of capital rate of 13.0% derived from market-based inputs, the tax-effected interest cost of Alion’s outstanding debt and a hypothetical market participant capital structure. Management estimates future years’ EBITDA based on Alion’s reporting units’ historical adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. To the extent that management’s analysis included forecasts of future revenue growth, management based such estimates on existing contract backlog, recent contract wins, current year performance and new business opportunities. Management analyzed goodwill for impairment using a range of near-term growth values of 0-4% and a range of 0-4% for longer-term out year forecasts.

There were no changes to the methods used to evaluate goodwill in prior periods. Changes in one or more inputs could materially alter the calculation of Alion’s enterprise fair value and thus the Company’s determination of whether its goodwill is potentially impaired. A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the weighted average cost of capital rate at September 30, 2013, would have produced a corresponding approximate 5.7% decrease and 6.9% increase in estimated enterprise value. Alion’s enterprise value based on EBITDA multiples from mergers and acquisitions in the government services market place was approximately 26% higher than discounted cash flow enterprise value at September 30, 2013.

Management reviews the Company’s internally-computed enterprise fair value to confirm the reasonableness of the internal analysis and compares the results of its independent analysis with the results of the independent third party valuation report prepared for the ESOP Trustee. Management compares each reporting unit’s carrying amount to its estimated fair value. If a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company compares the reporting unit’s goodwill carrying amount with the corresponding implied fair value of its goodwill. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds its fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds implied fair value. Alion performs impairment testing on an enterprise value basis as there is no public market for the Company’s common stock.

Management determined that, on an enterprise value basis, Alion’s reporting units have positive carrying value. In reviewing its discounted cash flow analysis prepared for testing goodwill for potential impairment, management considered macroeconomic and other conditions such as:

 

    the deterioration in general economic conditions arising from federal budget deficits;

 

    Industry and market concerns about the effects of sequestration and federal budget deficits on future Department of Defense procurement actions;

 

    Alion’s credit rating and its potential for limiting future access to capital;

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    An increase in market risks

 

    A higher discount rate for valuing estimated future cash flows;

 

    A decline in market-dependent multiples and metrics in both absolute terms and for Alion relative to its peers;

 

    Alion’s fiscal 2013 sales increase; and

 

    Alion’s success in obtaining $840 million of additional customer contract funding and new contracts from April through September 30, 2013.

Alion completed its most recent goodwill impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 and concluded no goodwill impairment existed as of September 30, 2013. Management determined the totality of events and circumstances would not have supported a decision to roll forward its prior year goodwill impairment analysis and avoid performing a step one goodwill impairment analysis. Management chose to perform a step one analysis which supported a comparable enterprise value for Alion as of September 30, 2013 compared to September 30, 2012. September 30, 2013 estimated discounted future cash flows decreased less than 1.0% compared to September 30, 2012. The estimated fair value of Alion’s outstanding debt increased approximately 10 percent from September 30, 2012 to September 30, 2013. This was due to shortening maturities and a higher outstanding balance for secured debt and notwithstanding fiscal 2013 unsecured debt redemptions. As a result of changes in Alion’s estimated enterprise fair value and the increased value of Alion’s outstanding debt, the estimated fair value of Alion’s outstanding redeemable common stock declined approximately 50% from September 30, 2012 to September 30, 2013.

As of September 30, 2013, the estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. Consistent with prior years’ disclosures, the changes in discounted cash flows for fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 did not result in an impairment to goodwill. The results of Alion’s step one impairment testing make it unlikely that a reasonably probable change in assumptions would have triggered an impairment. A hypothetical 10% decrease in fair value would not have resulted in impairment to goodwill for either reporting unit or triggered the need to perform additional step two analyses for either reporting unit.

 

(9) Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of contracts acquired through the Anteon and JJMA transactions. The table below shows intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013.

 

     December 31, 2013      September 30, 2013  
     Gross      Accumulated
Amortization
    Net      Gross      Accumulated
Amortization
    Net  
     (In thousands)  

Purchased contracts

   $ 111,635       $ (110,015   $ 1,620       $ 111,635       $ (109,795   $ 1,840   

Internal use software and engineering designs

     3,182         (3,067     115         3,182         (2,982     200   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 114,817       $ (113,082   $ 1,735       $ 114,817       $ (112,777   $ 2,040   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The weighted-average remaining amortization period of intangible assets was approximately 18 months at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013. Amortization expense was approximately $305 thousand and $1.5 million for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Estimated aggregate amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter is as follows.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     (In thousands)  

2014 (for the remainder of the fiscal year)

   $ 773   

2015

     737   

2016

     141   

2017

     51   

2018

     33   

2019

     —    

Thereafter

     —    
  

 

 

 
   $ 1,735   
  

 

 

 

 

(10) Current and Long-term Debt

Alion’s existing debt structure includes a $35 million revolving credit facility (current debt), $235 million in Unsecured Notes (long-term debt) and $333.1 million in Secured Notes ($310 million in initial face value plus $23.1 million in paid in kind (PIK) interest notes issued) (current debt). The Company is in compliance with each of the affirmative, negative and financial covenants in its existing debt agreements as of December 31, 2013. In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, our Secured Notes were reclassified to current liabilities based on their November 1, 2014 maturity. Our Unsecured Notes will be reclassified to current liabilities in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. If, as of December 31, 2013, Alion had had any balance drawn under the Credit Agreement, that amount as well would have been classified as a current liability because the Credit Agreement expires on August 22, 2014.

Our Credit Agreement financial statement covenant requires an audit opinion without a “going concern” explanatory note or any similar qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit. In December 2013 Alion and its Credit Agreement lenders agreed to waive this covenant for fiscal 2013 through and including February 21, 2014. The Company paid no fee for this waiver. Absent the waiver, the Company would not have been able to access its revolving credit facility. At the end of fiscal 2013, the Company had not drawn on the Credit Agreement revolving credit facility. At the date of the waiver, the Company had a balance drawn on the Credit Agreement revolving credit facility. Had the Credit Agreement lenders not granted the waiver, they would have had the right to demand the Company immediately repay any amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility. The amount drawn on the Credit Agreement revolving credit facility was less than $30 million at the date of the waiver. Therefore, there was no potential cross default on the Company’s other outstanding indebtedness.

Current Debt - Credit Agreement

The Company can use its credit facility for working capital, permitted acquisitions and general corporate purposes. This includes up to $35.0 million in letters of credit and up to $5.0 million in short-term swing line loans. At December 31, 2013, the Company had $4.0 million in outstanding letters of credit and no balance actually drawn.

Security. The Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in all current and future tangible and intangible property of Alion and its guarantor subsidiaries, IPS, CATI, METI, JJMA, BMH, WCI, WCGS, MA&D and Alion International Corporation. In March 2010, Alion and the subsidiary guarantors entered into an Intercreditor Agreement with Wilmington Trust Company and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch to grant Credit Agreement lenders a super priority right of payment with respect to the underlying collateral compared to Secured Note holders’ rights.

Guarantees. Alion’s Credit Agreement obligations are guaranteed by its subsidiaries, IPS, CATI, METI, JJMA, BMH, WCI, WCGS, MA&D and Alion International Corporation. These subsidiaries also guarantee all the Company’s Secured Note and Unsecured Note obligations (described below).

Interest and Fees. Alion can choose whether the Credit Agreement loans bear interest at one of two floating rates using either a Eurodollar rate or an alternative base rate. The minimum interest rate is 8.5%. The minimum Eurodollar interest rate is 2.5% plus 600 basis points. The minimum alternate base rate is 3.5% plus 500 basis points.

Other Fees and Expenses. Each quarter, Alion pays a commitment fee of 175 basis points per year on the prior quarter’s daily unused Credit Agreement balance. The Company paid approximately $125 thousand and $142 thousand in commitment fees for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Alion pays letter-of-credit issuance and administrative fees, and up to a 25 basis point fronting fee and interest in arrears each quarter on all outstanding letters of credit. The interest rate is based on the Eurodollar loan rate which was 6.0% as of September 30, 2013. The Company also pays an annual agent’s fee.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Covenants. The Credit Agreement requires Alion to achieve minimum trailing twelve month Consolidated EBITDA levels which increased over the life of the agreement. The fiscal 2014 required minimum is $65.5 million through August 22, 2014.

The Credit Agreement defines Consolidated EBITDA as net income or loss in accordance with GAAP, plus employee compensation expense payments invested in Alion common stock, plus the following items, without duplication, to the extent deducted from or included in net income or loss:

 

    consolidated interest expense;

 

    provision for income taxes;

 

    depreciation and amortization;

 

    cash contributed to the ESOP in respect of Alion’s repurchase liability;

 

    non-cash stock-based and incentive compensation expense;

 

    non-cash ESOP contributions;

 

    any extraordinary losses; and

 

    nonrecurring charges and adjustments included in ESOP valuation reports as prepared by an independent third party.

To the extent included in net income or loss, the following items, without duplication, are deducted in determining Consolidated EBITDA:

 

    all cash payments on account of reserves, restructuring charges or other cash and non-cash charges added to net

 

    income pursuant to the list above in a previous period;

 

    any extraordinary gains; and

 

    all non-cash items of income.

The Credit Agreement restricts us from doing any of the following without the prior consent of syndicate lenders that extended more than 50 percent of the aggregate amount of all Credit Agreement loans then outstanding:

 

    incur additional debt other than permitted additional debt;

 

    grant certain liens and security interests;

 

    enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

 

    make certain loans and investments including acquisitions of businesses, other than permitted acquisitions;

 

    consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all our assets;

 

    pay dividends or distributions other than distributions required by the ESOP Plan or by certain legal requirements;

 

    make certain payments for subordinated indebtedness;

 

    enter into certain transactions with our shareholders and affiliates;

 

    enter into agreements which restrict our ability to incur liens or which restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends

 

    change lines of business;

 

    repay subordinated debt before it is due;

 

    redeem or repurchase certain equity;

 

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    enter into certain transactions not permitted under ERISA;

 

    change the terms of our other indebtedness or our KSOP in a way materially disadvantageous to us;

 

    make more than $8 million in capital expenditures in any fiscal year;

 

    pay certain earn-outs in connection with permitted acquisitions; or

 

    change our fiscal year.

The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default including, without limitation:

 

    breach of representations and warranties;

 

    payment default;

 

    uncured covenant breaches;

 

    default under certain other debt exceeding an agreed amount;

 

    bankruptcy and certain insolvency events;

 

    incurrence of a civil or criminal liability in excess of $5 million of Alion or any subsidiary arising from a government investigation;

 

    unstayed judgments in excess of an agreed amount;

 

    failure of any Credit Agreement guarantee to be in effect;

 

    failure of the security interests to be valid, perfected, first priority security interests in the collateral;

 

    notice of debarment, suspension or termination under a material government contract;

 

    actual termination of a material contract due to alleged fraud, willful misconduct, negligence, default or any other wrongdoing;

 

    certain uncured defaults under our material contracts;

 

    certain ERISA violations;

 

    imposition on the ESOP Trust of certain taxes in excess of an agreed amount;

 

    final determination the ESOP is not a qualified plan;

 

    so long as any Secured Notes remain outstanding, the Intercreditor Agreement shall fail to be effective;

 

    a borrowing which would cause us to exceed a certain cash balance limit;

 

    failure to provide within 90 days of fiscal year-end, consolidated, comparative financial statements audited by an independent public accountant of recognized national standing with an opinion of such accountant that shall not include a “going concern” explanatory note or similar limitation, or

 

    a change of control (as defined below).

Under the Credit Agreement a change of control generally occurs when, before Alion lists its common stock to trade on a national securities exchange and obtains at least $35 million in net proceeds from an underwritten public offering, the ESOP Trust fails to own at least 51 percent of Alion’s outstanding equity interests, or, after such a qualified public offering, any person or group other than the ESOP Trust owns more than 37.5 percent of Alion’s outstanding equity interests. A change of control may also occur if a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on Alion’s Board of Directors shall at any time be occupied by persons who were neither nominated by the board nor were appointed by directors so nominated. A change of control may also occur if a change of control occurs under any of Alion’s material debt including the Secured and Unsecured Note Indentures.

Alion depends heavily on federal government contracts. Delays in the federal budget process, reduced federal spending, budget cuts, sequestration, government shut downs and fiscal and political uncertainties have affected in the future could adversely affect Alion’s revenue in fiscal 2014. Despite uncertainties in the government contracting professional services marketplace, particularly the prospect of further sequestration-related effects and/or Department of Defense programmatic and budgetary cuts, management believes Alion will be able to generate sufficient revenue and EBITDA over the remaining life of the Credit Agreement to enable Alion to comply with Credit Agreement financial and non-financial covenants.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

If Alion were unable to meet a Credit Agreement covenant because of a revenue shortfall or for any other reason, the Company could seek another covenant waiver or seek to negotiate a Credit Agreement amendment. Management can provide no assurance that Alion would be able to obtain a requested covenant waiver or amend the Credit Agreement on favorable terms.

Current Debt - Secured Notes

In March 2010, Alion issued and sold $310 million of its private units (Units) to Credit Suisse, which informed the Company it had resold most of the Units to qualified institutional buyers. Each of the 310,000 Units consisted of $1,000 in face value of Alion’s private 12% senior secured notes (Secured Notes) and a warrant to purchase 1.9439 shares of Alion common stock. On September 2, 2010, Alion exchanged the private Secured Notes for publicly tradable Secured Notes with the same terms.

Security. The Secured Notes are secured by a first priority security interest in all current and future tangible and intangible property of Alion and its guarantor subsidiaries, IPS, CATI, METI, JJMA, BMH, WCI, WCGS, MA&D and Alion International Corporation. The Secured Notes are senior obligations of Alion and rank pari passu in right of payment with existing and future senior debt, including the Credit Agreement, except to the extent that the Intercreditor Agreement provides Credit Agreement lenders with a super priority right of payment with respect to the underlying collateral.

Guarantees. The Company’s obligations under the Secured Notes are guaranteed by the Company’s subsidiaries, IPS, CATI, METI, JJMA, BMH, WCI, WCGS, MA&D and Alion International Corporation.

Interest and Fees. The Secured Notes bear interest at 12% per year; 10% is payable in cash and 2% increases the Secured Note principal (PIK Interest). Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1. Alion pays interest to holders of record as of the immediately preceding April 15 and October 15. The Company must pay interest on overdue principal or interest at 13% per annum to the extent lawful. The Secured Notes mature November 1, 2014.

Covenants. As of December 31, 2013, Alion was in compliance with the covenants set forth in the Indenture governing its 12% Secured Notes (Secured Note Indenture). The Secured Note Indenture does not contain any financial covenants.

A Secured Note Indenture covenant restricts our ability to incur additional debt. Defined terms in the Secured Note Indenture include: Net Available Cash, Total Assets, Restricted Subsidiaries, Indebtedness, Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense. Alion and its Restricted Subsidiaries may not issue, incur, assume, guarantee, or otherwise become liable for any debt unless our Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense ratio is greater than 2.0 to 1.0. Adjusted EBITDA under the Secured Note Indenture differs from Consolidated EBITDA as defined in our Credit Agreement. Adjusted EBITDA is less than Consolidated EBITDA because it does not include employee investments in Alion common stock. Our Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense ratio was 0.91 to 1.0 as of September 30, 2013 ($69.0 million in Adjusted EBITDA to $75.7 million in Consolidated Interest Expense). Our ratio was 0.89 to 1.0 as of December 31, 2013 ($67.7 million in Adjusted EBITDA to $75.7 million in Consolidated Interest Expense). Even if Adjusted EBITDA is not at least two times Consolidated Interest Expense, we may incur other permitted debt including:

 

    debt pursuant to certain agreements up to $25 million;

 

    permitted inter-company debt;

 

    the Secured Notes and any public notes exchanged for those notes;

 

    debt pre-dating the Secured Notes;

 

    permitted debt of acquired subsidiaries;

 

    permitted refinancing debt;

 

    hedging agreement debt;

 

    performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees;

 

    ordinary course insufficient funds coverage;

 

    permitted refinancing debt guarantees;

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    working capital debt of non-U.S. subsidiaries;

 

    debt for capital expenditures, and capital and synthetic leases up to $25 million in the aggregate and 2.5% of Alion’s Total Assets;

 

    permitted subordinated debt of Alion or any Restricted Subsidiary to finance a permitted acquisition, certain permitted ESOP transactions and refinancing debt of acquired non-U.S. subsidiaries up to $35 million in the aggregate;

 

    letter of credit reimbursement obligations;

 

    certain agreements in connection with a business disposition provided liabilities incurred in connection therewith do not exceed the cash and non-cash proceeds received and are not reflected on the Company’s balance sheet;

 

    certain deferred compensation agreements; and

 

    certain other debt up to $20 million.

The Secured Note Indenture has a covenant that restricts our ability to declare and pay any cash dividend or other distribution related to any equity interest in Alion, repurchase or redeem any equity interest of Alion, repurchase or redeem the Unsecured Notes or other subordinated debt, or make certain investments. However, within certain limits we may make such payments in limited amounts if Adjusted EBITDA is at least two times Consolidated Interest Expense. Even if Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense is not greater than 2.0 to 1.0, we may make or pay:

 

    such payments out of substantially concurrent contributions of equity and substantially concurrent incurrences of permitted debt;

 

    certain limited and permitted dividends;

 

    certain repurchases of the Company’s equity securities deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants;

 

    cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our equity securities;

 

    the required Secured Note premium payable on a change of control;

 

    certain permitted inter-company subordinated obligations;

 

    certain repurchases and redemptions of subordination obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor from Net Available Cash (as defined in the Secured Note Indenture);

 

    repurchases of subordinated obligations in connection with an asset sale to the extent required by the Secured Note Indenture;

 

    certain permitted ESOP transactions;

 

    long-term incentive plan payments to our directors, officers and employees, subject to a $3 million annual cap that may increase annually;

 

    any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of the Unsecured Notes, up to an aggregate amount of $10 million; and

 

    certain other payments not exceeding $10 million in the aggregate.

The Secured Note Indenture restricts our ability to engage in other transactions including restricting our subsidiaries from making distributions and paying dividends to parents, merging or selling all or substantially all our assets, issuing certain subsidiary equity securities, engaging in certain transactions with affiliates, incurring liens, entering into sale lease-back transactions and engaging in business unrelated to our business when we issued the Secured Notes.

Events of Default. The Secured Note Indenture contains customary events of default, including:

 

    payment default on interest obligations when due;

 

    payment default on principal at maturity;

 

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    uncured covenant breaches;

 

    default under an acceleration of certain other debt exceeding $30 million;

 

    bankruptcy and certain insolvency events;

 

    judgment for payment in excess of $30 million entered against the Company or any material subsidiary that remains outstanding for a period of 60 days and is not discharged, waived or stayed;

 

    failure of any Secured Note guarantee to be in effect or any subsidiary guarantor’s denial or disaffirmation of its guaranty obligations; and

 

    failure of any Secured Note security interest to constitute a valid and perfected lien with its applicable priority after a permitted cure period.

Change of Control. Upon a change in control, each Secured Note holder has the right to require Alion repurchase its notes in cash for 101% of principal plus accrued and unpaid interest. Any of the following events constitutes a change in control:

 

    subject to certain exceptions, a person, other than the ESOP Trust, is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting power or voting stock of Alion;

 

    individuals who constituted Alion’s board of directors on March 22, 2010, (or individuals who were elected or nominated by them, or directors subsequently nominated or elected by them) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Company’s board of directors;

 

    the adoption of a plan relating to Alion’s liquidation or dissolution; and

 

    subject to certain exceptions, the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another person or the merger of another person with or into the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of Alion to another person.

Optional Redemption. From April 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013, the Company was permitted to redeem all or a portion of the Secured Notes at 105% of principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. From October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014 the redemption price is 103% of principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. After March 31, 2014, the Company is not required to pay a redemption premium.

Unsecured Notes

In February 2007, Alion issued and sold $250.0 million of its private 10.25% senior unsecured notes due February 1, 2015 (Unsecured Notes) to Credit Suisse, which informed the Company it had resold most of the notes to qualified institutional buyers. In June 2007, Alion exchanged the private Unsecured Notes for publicly tradable Unsecured Notes with the same terms. IPS, CATI, METI, JJMA, BMH, WCI, WCGS, MA&D and Alion International Corporation guarantee the Unsecured Notes. From time to time, Alion has repurchased some of its outstanding Unsecured Notes in open market transactions. Through December 31, 2013, the Company had repurchased $15 million worth of Unsecured Notes: $2 million in November 2010; $3 million in June 2011, $5 million in June 2013 and an additional $5 million in July 2013. The Company recognized a gain on debt extinguishment for each Secured Note repurchase. In fiscal 2013, the Company recognized a $3.9 million gain; there were no debt extinguishments in fiscal 2012. In 2011, the Company recognized a $939 thousand debt extinguishment gain.

Interest and Fees. The Unsecured Notes bear interest at 10.25% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1. Alion pays interest to holders of record as of the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15. The Company must pay interest on overdue principal or interest at 11.25% per annum to the extent lawful.

Covenants. There are no financial covenants in the Unsecured Note Indenture. As of December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with Unsecured Note Indenture non-financial covenants.

A covenant in the Unsecured Note Indenture restricts our ability to incur additional debt. Defined terms in the Unsecured Note Indenture include: Net Available Cash, Total Assets, Restricted Subsidiaries, Indebtedness, Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense. Alion and its Restricted Subsidiaries may not issue, incur, assume, guarantee, or otherwise become liable for any indebtedness unless our Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense ratio is

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

greater than 2.0 to 1.0. Adjusted EBITDA under the Unsecured Note Indenture differs from Consolidated EBITDA as defined in our Credit Agreement. Adjusted EBITDA is less than Consolidated EBITDA because it does not include employee investments in Alion common stock. Our Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense ratio was 0.91 to 1.0 as of September 30, 2013 ($69.0 million in Adjusted EBITDA to $75.7 million in Consolidated Interest Expense). Our ratio was 0.89 to 1.0 as of December 31, 2013 ($67.7 million in Adjusted EBITDA to $75.7 million in Consolidated Interest Expense). Even if Adjusted EBITDA is not at least two times Consolidated Interest Expense, we may incur other permitted debt including:

 

    debt pursuant to our now terminated Term B Credit Facility and certain other contracts up to $360 million less principal repayments made under that indebtedness;

 

    permitted inter-company debt;

 

    the Unsecured Notes and any public notes exchanged for those notes;

 

    debt pre-dating the Unsecured Notes;

 

    permitted debt of acquired subsidiaries;

 

    permitted refinancing debt;

 

    hedging agreement debt;

 

    performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees;

 

    ordinary course insufficient funds coverage;

 

    permitted refinancing debt guarantees;

 

    working capital debt of non-U.S. subsidiaries;

 

    debt for capital expenditures, capital and synthetic leases up to $25 million in the aggregate and 2.5% of Alion’s Total Assets;

 

    permitted subordinated debt of Alion or any Restricted Subsidiary to finance a permitted acquisition, certain permitted ESOP transactions and refinancing debt of acquired non-U.S. subsidiaries up to $35 million in the aggregate;

 

    letters of credit reimbursement obligations;

 

    certain agreements in connection with the disposition of a business provided liabilities incurred in connection therewith do not exceed the cash and non-cash proceeds received and are not reflected on the Company’s balance sheet;

 

    certain deferred compensation agreements; and

 

    certain other debt up to $35 million.

The Unsecured Note Indenture has a covenant that restricts our ability to declare and pay any cash dividend or other distribution with regard to any equity interest in the Company, make any repurchase or redemption of any equity interest in Alion, repurchase or redeem subordinated debt, and make certain investments. However, within certain limits we may make such payments in limited amounts if Adjusted EBITDA is at least two times Consolidated Interest Expense. Even if Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense is not greater than 2.0 to 1.0, we may make or pay:

 

    such payments out of substantially concurrent contributions of equity and substantially concurrent incurrences of permitted debt;

 

    certain limited and permitted dividends;

 

    certain repurchases of the Company’s equity securities deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants;

 

    cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares for the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our equity securities;

 

    the required Unsecured Note premium payable on a change of control;

 

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    certain permitted inter-company subordinated obligations;

 

    certain repurchases and redemptions of subordination obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor from Net Available Cash;

 

    repurchases of subordinated obligations in connection with an asset sale to the extent required by the Indenture;

 

    repurchase of common stock from former Alion Joint Spectrum Center employees;

 

    certain permitted transactions with the ESOP not exceeding $25 million in the aggregate; and

 

    certain other payments not exceeding $30 million in the aggregate.

The Unsecured Note Indenture restricts the Company’s ability to engage in other transactions including restricting our subsidiaries from making distributions and paying dividends to parents, merging or selling all or substantially all our assets, issuing certain subsidiary equity securities, engaging in certain transactions with affiliates, incurring liens, entering into sale lease-back transactions and engaging in business unrelated to our business when we issued the Unsecured Notes.

Events of Default. The Unsecured Note Indenture contains customary events of default, including:

 

    payment default on interest obligations when due;

 

    payment default on principal at maturity;

 

    uncured covenant breaches;

 

    default under an acceleration of certain other debt exceeding $30 million;

 

    certain bankruptcy and insolvency events;

 

    judgment for payment in excess of $30 million entered against the Company or any material subsidiary that remains outstanding for a period of 60 days and is not discharged, waived or stayed; and

 

    failure of any Unsecured Note guarantee or any subsidiary guarantor’s denial or disaffirmation of its guaranty obligations.

Change of Control. Upon a change in control, each Unsecured Note holder has the right to require Alion repurchase its notes in cash for 101% of principal plus accrued and unpaid interest. Any of the following events constitutes a change in control:

 

    subject to certain exceptions, a person, other than the ESOP Trust, is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting power or voting stock of Alion;

 

    individuals who constituted Alion’s board of directors on February 8, 2007, (or individuals who were elected or nominated by them, or individuals who were elected or nominated by them) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Company’s board of directors;

 

    adoption of a plan relating to Alion’s liquidation or dissolution; and

 

    subject to certain exceptions, Alion’s merger or consolidation with or into another person or the merger of another person with or into Alion, or the sale of all or substantially all our assets to another person.

Optional Redemption. We may redeem all or a portion of the Unsecured Notes at par plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. Alion needs to refinance some if not all its senior debt prior to maturity in November 2014 and February 2015 when the Company will have to payout more than $600 million over a three-month period. We are uncertain if the Company will be able to refinance these obligations or if refinancing terms will be favorable.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     December 31,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 
     (In thousands)  

Secured Notes

   $ 5,551       $ 13,741   

Unsecured Notes

     10,039         4,017   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 15,590       $ 17,758   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, Alion must make the following principal repayments (face value) for its outstanding debt. Unsecured Note face value exceeds carrying value and Secured Note face value exceeds carrying value. Carrying value includes debt issue costs which include the unamortized balances of: original issue discount; third-party debt issue expenses; and the initial fair value of common stock warrants issued in connection with the Secured Notes.

 

Future Payments by Fiscal Year:    2014      2015      Total  

Secured Notes and PIK Interest(1)

   $ —        $ 339,788       $ 339,788   

Unsecured Notes(2)

     —          235,000         235,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Principal Payments

   $ —        $ 574,788       $ 574,788   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1. The Secured Notes due November 2014 include $310 million of debt issued in March 2010 and an estimated $29.8 million in PIK interest added to principal over the life of the notes. As of December 31, 2013, the $326.3 million carrying value on the face of the balance sheet included $310 million in principal, $23.1 million in PIK notes issued; $1.1 million in accrued PIK interest and is net of $7.9 million in aggregate unamortized debt issue costs. Initial debt issue costs consist of $7.7 million in original issue discount, $13.5 million in third-party costs and $20.8 million for the Secured Note warrants’ initial fair value.
2. As of December 31, 2013, the Unsecured Notes due February 2015 include $235 million in principal and approximately $1.0 million in unamortized debt issue costs (initially $7.1 million). Since issuing the Unsecured Notes, the Company has repurchased $15 million in principal.

 

(11) Fair Value Measurement

Alion applies ASC 820 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures in determining the fair value to be disclosed for financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities. The Company has no assets or liabilities, other than its redeemable common stock, which it is required to report at fair value. Valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities for each period presented were unchanged from prior practice.

ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It establishes a fair value hierarchy and a framework which requires categorizing assets and liabilities into one of three levels based on the assumptions (inputs) used in valuing the asset or liability. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. Level 1inputs are unadjusted, quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets. Level 3 inputs include unobservable inputs that are supported by little, infrequent, or no market activity and reflect management’s own assumptions about inputs used in pricing the asset or liability. The Company uses the following valuation techniques to measure fair value.

Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments, such as overnight bank re-purchase agreements or money market mutual funds whose value is based on quoted market prices published by financial institutions, exchange funds, exchange-traded instruments and listed equities.

Level 2 assets include U.S. Government and agency securities whose valuations are based on market prices from a variety of industry-standard data providers or pricing that considers various assumptions, including time value, yield curve, volatility factors, credit spreads, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, and broker and dealer quotes. All are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for which the Company can obtain independent external valuation information.

 

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Level 3 consists of unobservable inputs. Assets and liabilities are considered Level 3 when their fair value inputs are unobservable or not available, including situations involving limited market activity, where determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation.

The table below sets out the face value, net carrying value and fair value of Alion’s Secured and Unsecured Notes. The fair values disclosed below are based on quoted market prices for Alion’s outstanding notes. This is a Level 2 measurement.

 

     December 31, 2013     September 30, 2013  
     (In thousands)  
     Secured
Notes
    Unsecured
Notes
    Secured
Notes
    Unsecured
Notes
 

Face value of original notes outstanding

   $ 310,000      $ 235,000      $ 310,000      $ 235,000   

PIK interest notes issued

     23,086        —         19,788        —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Face value of outstanding notes

   $ 333,086      $ 235,000      $ 329,788      $ 235,000   

PIK interest notes to be issued

     1,111        —         2,748        —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Face value of notes outstanding and notes to be issued

   $ 334,197      $ 235,000      $ 332,536      $ 235,000   

Less: unamortized debt issue costs

     (7,883     (962     (10,250     (1,168
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Carrying value

   $ 326,314      $ 234,038      $ 322,286      $ 233,832   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of outstanding notes

   $ 339,681      $ 165,894      $ 335,295      $ 151,928   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(12) Secured Note Common Stock Warrants

On March 22, 2010, Alion issued 310,000 Units consisting of $1,000 of Secured Note face value and a warrant to purchase 1.9439 shares of Alion common stock. The Secured Note warrants entitle holders to purchase a total of 602,614 shares of Alion common stock. Each Secured Note warrant has an exercise price of a penny per share; the Secured Note warrants are not redeemable for cash.

The Company registered the Secured Notes, but is not required to register the warrants. The Units separated into Secured Notes and warrants on June 22, 2010. Each warrant became exercisable on March 22, 2011 and expires on March 15, 2017.

The Secured Note warrants had an initial fair value of approximately $20.8 million based on Alion’s former share price of $34.50. Alion recognized the value of the warrants as part of the debt issue costs for the Secured Notes and recorded a corresponding credit to equity. The Company accounts for the Secured Note warrants as equity and reassesses this classification each reporting period. The Company identified no required changes in accounting treatment as of December 31, 2013.

 

(13) Leases

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases for buildings, equipment and automobiles at December 31, 2013 are set out below. Alion subleases some excess capacity to subtenants under non-cancelable operating leases.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Lease Payments for Fiscal Years Ending

   (In thousands)  

2014 (for the remainder of fiscal year)

   $ 19,497   

2015

     25,076   

2016

     21,183   

2017

     17,783   

2018

     14,931   

2019

     6,162   

And thereafter

     12,947   
  

 

 

 

Gross lease payments

   $ 117,579   

Less: non-cancelable subtenant receipts

     (1,593
  

 

 

 

Net lease payments

   $ 115,986   
  

 

 

 

Composition of Total Rent Expense

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Minimum rentals

   $ 5,515      $ 5,301   

Less: Sublease rental income

     (143     (104
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total rent expense, net

   $ 5,372      $ 5,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(14) ESOP Expense

Alion makes 401(k) matching contributions in shares of its common stock. The Company matches the first 3% and one-half of the next 2% of eligible employee salary deferrals by contributing shares of Alion common stock to the ESOP Trust on March 31 and September 30 each year. The Company also makes profit sharing contributions of Alion common stock to the ESOP Trust on the same dates.

Based on the value of common stock contributed and to be contributed to the Plan, Alion recognized $3.6 million and $3.4 million in Plan expense for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

In September 2013, Alion amended the ESOP to permit Alion to delay the Company’s contribution to the Plan for the six months ended September 30, 2013 and to delay transfer to the Company of employee contributions for investment in the ESOP component of the Plan. The Company made its September 30 contribution on the same schedule as it has done in the past. In December 2013, the ESOP Trust used employee funds to purchase approximately $930 thousand of Alion common stock at the September 30, 2013 price of $8.10 per share.

The non-cash component of ESOP expense appears in the statement of cash flows supplemental disclosures as “common stock issued in satisfaction of employer contribution liability.” It is included in operating cash flows from changes in accrued liabilities.

 

(15) Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan

Alion adopted a long-term cash incentive compensation plan for certain executives in December 2008. The Company amended its incentive compensation plan in January 2010 and amended and restated it in June 2013. The most recent amendment creates new change in control provisions that apply to future grants. Individual incentive compensation grants contain specific financial and performance goals and vest over varying periods. Some grants are for a fixed amount; others provide a range of values from a minimum of 50% to a maximum of 150% of initial grant value. The Company periodically evaluates the probability that individuals will achieve stated financial and performance goals.

Alion recognizes long term incentive compensation expense based on outstanding grants’ stated values, estimated probability of achieving stated goals and estimated probable future grant values. The Company recognized $804 thousand and $742 thousand in incentive compensation expense for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(16) Stock Based Compensation

Alion initially adopted its Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR) Plan in 2004. The Company amended and restated the SAR Plan in January 2007; amended it in January 2010; and amended and restated the SAR Plan in June 2013. The SAR Plan expires in November 2016. The most recent SAR Plan amendment revises certain change in control provisions.

The chief executive officer may award SARs as he deems appropriate. Awards vest ratably over four years with payment following the grant date fifth anniversary. Grants with no intrinsic value expire on their year-five payment date. The SAR Plan permits accelerated vesting in the event of death, disability or a change in control of the Company. Approximately 587 thousand SARs were outstanding at December 31, 2013, at a weighted average grant date fair value of $22.52 per share. No outstanding grant has any intrinsic value.

In June 2013, the Company amended and restated its Phantom Stock Plan and its Performance Shares and Retention Phantom Stock Plan. No grants are outstanding under either of these plans.

Alion recognized no stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and $10 thousand in stock based compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2012.

The Company uses a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model based on the fair market value of a share of its common stock to recognize stock-based compensation expense. There is no established public trading market for Alion’s common stock. The ESOP Trust owns all outstanding common stock. Alion does not expect to pay any dividends on its common stock and intends to retain future earnings, if any, for operating its business.

 

(17) Income Taxes

Deferred Taxes

Alion is subject to income taxes in the U.S., various states, India and Canada. Tax statutes and regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to interpretation requiring management to apply significant judgment. Alion recorded $1.7 million in goodwill-related deferred tax expense and liabilities for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The Company recognized $2 thousand in current tax expense for its Indian subsidiary for the three months ended December 2013 and no current tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2012.

The Company expects to be able to use existing and anticipated net operating losses (NOL) to offset taxes that may become due in the future if Alion has future taxable income. Even though Alion recorded a full valuation allowance for all deferred tax assets, the Company does not expect to pay any domestic income taxes for the foreseeable future and minimal foreign income taxes for its operations in India. Alion’s ability to utilize NOL tax benefits will depend upon how much future taxable income it has and may be limited under certain circumstances. Alion does not have any NOL tax benefits it can carry back to prior years.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was -10.4% and -18.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 the net deferred tax liability was:

 

     December 31,
2013
    September 30,
2013
 
     (In thousands)  

Current deferred tax asset

   $ 7,355      $ 9,228   

Noncurrent deferred tax asset

     98,007        87,812   

Valuation allowance

     (105,362     (97,040

Noncurrent deferred tax liability

     (59,873     (58,130
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liability

   $ (59,873   $ (58,130
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax Uncertainties

Based on the latest available information, Alion periodically assesses its liabilities and contingencies for all periods open to examination by tax authorities. Where management believes there is more than a 50 percent chance the Company’s tax position will not be sustained, Alion records its best estimate of the resulting tax liability, including interest. Interest or penalties related to income taxes are reported separately from income tax expense. The Company has analyzed its tax positions and has not recorded any liabilities for tax uncertainties.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Alion may become subject to federal or state income tax examination for tax years ended September 2010 and after. Alion’s former status as a pass-through entity owned by a tax-exempt trust makes an examination unlikely and the possibility of an adverse determination remote. The Company does not expect resolution of tax matters for any open years to materially affect its operating results, financial condition, cash flows or effective tax rate.

 

(18) Segment Information

Alion operates as a single segment, providing advanced engineering, information technology and operational solutions to strengthen national security and drive business results under contracts with the U.S. government, state and local governments, and commercial customers.

U.S. government customers typically exercise independent contracting authority. U.S. government agencies, department offices or divisions may use Alion’s services as a separate customer directly, or through a prime contractor, if they have independent decision-making and contracting authority within their organization. U.S. government prime contracts accounted for approximately 87% and 89% of total contract revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2013, and 2012.

 

(19) Commitments and Contingencies

Government Audits

Federal government cost-reimbursement contract revenues and expenses in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are subject to DCAA audit and possible adjustment. Alion is a major contractor and DCAA maintains an office on site to perform various audits throughout the year. The Company has settled indirect rates through 2005 based on completed DCAA audits. All subsequent years are open. We are disputing the government’s claim for penalties and interest for 2005. It is our position that the statute of limitations has expired on any government contractual claims, including any claims for penalties and interest, on our 2005 indirect rate proposal. Alion has recorded federal government contract revenue based on amounts it expects to realize upon final settlement.

Legal Proceedings

We are involved in routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business that we believe are not material to our financial condition, operating results, or cash flows. As a government contractor, from time to time we may be subject to DCAA audits and federal government inquiries. The federal government may suspend or debar for a period of time any federal contractor it finds has violated the False Claims Act, and any contractor indicted or convicted of violations of other federal laws. The federal government could also impose fines or penalties.

Alion depends on federal government contracts; suspension or debarment could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flows and our ability to meet our financial obligations. We are not aware of any such pending federal government claims or investigations.

 

(20) Guarantor/Non-guarantor Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

Certain of Alion’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries have jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed both the Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes which are general obligations of the Company. In March 2010, the Unsecured Note Indenture was amended to include as Unsecured Note guarantors all subsidiaries serving as Secured Note guarantors.

The following information presents unaudited condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013; unaudited condensed consolidating statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three month period ended December 31, 2013 and 2012; and unaudited condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 of Alion, its guarantor subsidiaries and its non-guarantor subsidiaries. Investments include Alion’s investments in its subsidiaries presented using the equity method of accounting.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Companies
    Non-
Guarantor
Companies
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Current assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,670      $ (10   $ 27      $ —       $ 4,687   

Accounts receivable, net

     166,283        2,038        642        —         168,963   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     5,587        36        25        —         5,648   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     176,540        2,064        694        —         179,298   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     8,552        515        3        —         9,070   

Intangible assets, net

     1,735        —         —         —         1,735   

Goodwill

     398,921        —         —         —         398,921   

Investment in subsidiaries

     28,710        —         —         (28,710     —    

Intercompany receivables

     1,963        28,536        —         (30,499     —    

Other assets

     10,364        —         4        —         10,368   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 626,785      $ 31,115      $ 701      $ (59,209   $ 599,392   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

          

Interest payable

   $ 15,590      $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 15,590   

Secured notes

     326,313        —         —         —         326,313   

Trade accounts payable

     59,465        40        31        —         59,536   

Accrued liabilities

     36,710        96        103        —         36,909   

Accrued payroll and related liabilities

     31,399        303        31        —         31,733   

Billings in excess of revenue earned

     4,452        110        —         —         4,562   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     473,929        549        165        —         474,643   

Intercompany payables

     28,537        —         1,962        (30,499     —    

Unsecured notes

     234,038        —         —         —         234,038   

Accrued compensation and benefits, excluding current portion

     5,998        —         —         —         5,998   

Non-current portion of lease obligations

     12,110        430        —         —         12,540   

Deferred income taxes

     59,873        —         —         —         59,873   

Commitments and contingencies

          

Redeemable common stock

     61,896        —         —         —         61,896   

Common stock warrants

     20,785        —         —         —         20,785   

Common stock of subsidiaries

     —         4,084        9        (4,093     —    

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     130        —         —         —         130   

Accumulated deficit

     (270,511     26,052        (1,435     (24,617     (270,511
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable common stock and accumulated deficit

   $ 626,785      $ 31,115      $ 701      $ (59,209   $ 599,392   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited)

 

     Parent     Guarantor     Non-
Guarantor
Companies
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Current assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 25,617      $ (24   $ 20      $ —       $ 25,613   

Accounts receivable, net

     169,304        2,735        565        —         172,604   

Receivable due from ESOP Trust

     930        —         —         —         930   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     4,449        188        (154     —         4,483   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     200,300        2,899        431        —         203,630   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     9,139        525        4        —         9,668   

Intangible assets, net

     2,040        —         —         —         2,040   

Goodwill

     398,921        —         —         —         398,921   

Investment in subsidiaries

     28,420        —         —         (28,420     —    

Intercompany receivables

     1,906        27,828        —         (29,734     —    

Other assets

     10,363        —         4        —         10,367   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 651,089      $ 31,252      $ 439      $ (58,154   $ 624,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

          

Interest payable

   $ 17,758      $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 17,758   

Trade accounts payable

     61,563        58        1        —         61,622   

Accrued liabilities

     39,169        144        80        —         39,393   

Accrued payroll and related liabilities

     37,404        517        33        —         37,954   

Billings in excess of costs revenue earned

     4,250        84        —         —         4,334   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     160,144        803        114        —         161,061   

Intercompany payables

     27,826        153        1,754        (29,733     —    

Secured Notes

     322,286        —         —         —         322,286   

Unsecured Notes

     233,832        —         —         —         233,832   

Accrued compensation and benefits, excluding current portion

     5,736        —         —         —         5,736   

Non-current portion of lease obligations

     12,374        447        —         —         12,821   

Deferred income taxes

     58,130        —         —         —         58,130   

Redeemable common stock

     61,895        —         —         —         61,895   

Common stock of subsidiaries

     —         4,084        9        (4,093     —    

Commitments and contingencies

          

Common stock warrants

     20,785        —         —         —         20,785   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     130        —         —         —         130   

Accumulated surplus (deficit)

     (252,049     25,765        (1,438     (24,328     (252,050
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable common stock and accumulated deficit

   $ 651,089      $ 31,252      $ 439      $ (58,154   $ 624,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Companies
     Non-
Guarantor
Companies
     Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Contract revenue

   $ 183,384        1,771         225         —       $ 185,380   

Direct contract expense

     144,060        1,091         124         —         145,275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     39,324        680         101         —         40,105   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

     18,385        392         87           18,864   

General and administrative

     18,983        1         9         —         18,993   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,956        287         5         —         2,248   

Other income (expense):

            

Interest income

     11        —          —          —         11   

Interest expense

     (18,948     —          —          —         (18,948

Other

     (28        —          —         (28

Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries

     292           —          (292     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expenses

     (18,673     —          —          (292     (18,965
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before taxes

     (16,717     287         5         (292     (16,717

Income tax expense

     (1,745     —          —          —         (1,745
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (18,462   $ 287       $ 5       $ (292   $ (18,462
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

            

Postretirement actuarial gains

     —         —          —          —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (18,462   $ 287       $ 5       $ (292   $ (18,462
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2012 (unaudited)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Companies
     Non-
Guarantor
Companies
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Contract revenue

   $ 202,057      $ 2,218       $ 54      $ —       $ 204,329   

Direct contract expense

     159,162        1,337         136        —         160,635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     42,895        881         (82     —         43,694   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

     21,621        560         69        —         22,250   

General and administrative

     11,734        49         21        —         11,804   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     9,540        272         (172     —         9,640   

Other income (expense):

           

Interest income

     17        —          —         —         17   

Interest expense

     (18,919     —          —         —         (18,919

Other

     (15     —          —         —         (15

Equity in net income of subsidiaries

     100        —          —         (100     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other (expense) income

     (18,817     —          —         (100     (18,917
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before taxes

     (9,277     272         (172     (100     (9,277

Income tax expense

     (1,744     —          —         —         (1,744
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ (11,021   $ 272       $ (172   $ (100   $ (11,021
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

           

Postretirement actuarial gains

     —         —          —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (11,021   $ 272       $ (172   $ (100   $ (11,021
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Companies
    Non-
Guarantor
Companies
     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

   $ (19,934   $ 24      $ 7       $ (19,903

Cash flows from investing activities:

         

Capital expenditures

     (263     (10     —          (273
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (263     (10     —          (273

Cash flows from financing activities:

         

Payment of debt issue costs

     (750     —         —          (750

Revolver borrowings

     10,000        —         —          10,000   

Revolver payments

     (10,000     —         —          (10,000

Redeemable common stock purchased from ESOP Trust

     (934     —         —          (934

Redeemable common stock sold to ESOP Trust

     934        —         —          934   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (750     —         —          (750

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (20,947     14        7         (20,926

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     25,617        (24     20         25,613   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 4,670      $ (10   $ 27       $ 4,687   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2012 (unaudited)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Companies
    Non-
Guarantor
Companies
     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

   $ (6,337   $ 15      $ 5       $ (6,317

Cash flows from investing activities:

         

Capital expenditures

     (603     —         —          (603
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (603     —         —          (603

Cash flows from financing activities:

         

Redeemable common stock purchased from ESOP Trust

     (1,975     —         —          (1,975
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     (846     —         —          (846

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (7,786     15        5         (7,766

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     27,271        (44     —          27,227   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 19,485      $ (29   $ 5       $ 19,461   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(21) Subsequent Event

In January 2014, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to file a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to register the offer to exchange Unsecured Notes for, at the holders’ option, either (a) new third lien notes of equivalent face value, with a combination of interest payable in cash and in kind, and new warrants to purchase up to 27.5% of the Company’s common stock or (b) a limited amount of cash at a price below par plus accrued and unpaid interest and a 1.5% early tender cash payment, if applicable. The registration statement also registers the offer of new third lien notes and warrants to holders of Unsecured Notes who tender their Unsecured Notes in the exchange offer and meet certain other conditions.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis is intended to assist the reader’s understanding of Alion’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion should be read together with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in Item 1. This discussion updates the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013 and presumes that readers have access to, and will have read, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in that report.

Forward Looking Statements

Information included and incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and are for illustrative purposes only. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “likely,” “will,” “pro forma,” “forecast,” “projections,” “could,” “estimate,” “may,” “potential,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include, but are not limited to:

 

    Our ability to refinance our debt structure on satisfactory terms, or at all;

 

    Our ability to continue as a going concern;

 

    Material changes to our capital structure;

 

    Our ability to meet existing and future debt covenants;

 

    U.S. government debt ceiling limitations, sequestration, continuing resolutions, or other similar federal government budgetary or funding issues;

 

    U.S. government shutdowns and threatened shutdowns;

 

    Delays in payments from U.S. government customers;

 

    U.S. government decisions to reduce funding for projects we support;

 

    Failure to retain our existing government contracts, win new business and win re-competed contracts;

 

    Failure of government customers to exercise contract options;

 

    Limits on financial and operational flexibility given our substantial debt and debt covenants;

 

    Government contract bid protest and termination risks;

 

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    Competitive factors such as pricing pressures and competition to hire and retain employees;

 

    Results of current and future legal proceedings and government agency proceedings which may arise from operations and attendant risks of fines, liabilities, penalties, suspension and debarment;

 

    Tax law changes that could affect tax liabilities or Alion’s effective tax rate;

 

    ERISA law changes related to the KSOP;

 

    Changes in SEC rules, and other corporate governance requirements;

 

    Undertaking acquisitions that increase costs or liabilities or are disruptive;

 

    Taking on additional debt to fund acquisitions;

 

    Failing to adequately integrate acquired businesses;

 

    Any future inability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting or covenant compliance measurement;

 

    Risks from private securities litigation, regulatory proceedings or government enforcement actions relating to prior covenant compliance disclosures;

 

    Material changes in laws or regulations affecting our businesses;

 

    General volatility in the debt and securities market; and

 

    Other risk factors discussed in Alion’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013 filed with the SEC on December 23, 2013 and any subsequent reports.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s view only as of February 14, 2014. We undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in expectations or otherwise. This discussion addresses only continuing operations.

Overview

Alion delivers advanced engineering, information technology (IT), and operational solutions to strengthen national security and drive business results. For customers in defense, civilian government, foreign governments and commercial industries worldwide, Alion’s engineered solutions support smarter decision-making and enhanced readiness in rapidly-changing environments.

Our engineering, scientific expertise and program management services support a range of specialized core business areas, from naval architecture to systems engineering to modeling, simulation and training. Alion builds on a 75-year history of delivering highly technical, yet practical and cost-effective solutions to resolve our customers’ fundamental challenges and help them accomplish their missions.

The legislative and executive branches of the federal government remain committed to achieving cost controls and budget reductions to defense and civilian agencies, which affect routine operations and specific programs. The Budget Control Act of 2011 (as amended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012) established a “baseline” from which certain programs and operations may see significant cutbacks or funding limitations and automatic spending cuts to be implemented over time beginning in March 2013 known as sequestration. Programmatic and budgetary reductions are expected to decrease government spending and affect contractor revenues in the defense and civilian government sector.

Alion is not exempt from federal government funding and budgetary constraints. The Secretary of Defense has directed his organization to implement expense reductions mandated by sequestration. Therefore, Alion’s customers may face constraints on their ability to add funding, or maintain current funding levels to existing contracts and to execute new contracts. As with others in the defense contracting sector, there may be the possibility of significant funding reductions on a number of our contracts and programs.

Alion has responded to the budgetary challenge by reducing costs and headcount for indirect and administrative staff, lowering facilities costs and striving to position the Company to serve its customers more effectively and efficiently. While we believe our customers will continue to seek our high-end engineering and technical expertise and solutions, we are not unaffected by today’s current market pressures. However, we believe the legislative and executive branch focus on controlling and reducing costs will ultimately help us to sell our services and solutions to our government customers so they can improve their operating efficiency and effectiveness. Due to the nature of our high-end engineering and technical services, we believe we are positioned to meet the challenges of a changing professional services market place.

 

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To date, funding for most of Alion’s contracts has not been materially adversely affected by Department of Defense budget reductions for specific programs, or by delays or reductions for other programs due to sequestration, or the government shutdown. We have experienced funding delays on several of our programs which has materially adversely affected those programs, which are further described in Results of Operations section of Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation. Our future financial performance could be materially adversely affected by the risk factors we have identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended 2013. Any one of more of these risks could reduce our future revenue and operating income below current or prior year levels and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to satisfy our financial obligations.

Management’s cash flow projections indicate that absent a refinancing transaction or series of transactions, the Company will be unable to pay the principal and accumulated unpaid interest on its Secured Notes and Unsecured Notes when those instruments mature in November 2014 and February 2015, respectively. The Company needs to refinance all of its senior debt prior to their respective maturities. (See “Going Concern Assumption” in Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements regarding management’s substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.) On December 24, 2013, Alion entered into an agreement (the Refinancing Support Agreement) with the holders of a majority of its Unsecured Notes regarding certain possible refinancing transactions.

The proposed refinancing transactions involve: replacing Alion’s credit facility; refinancing the Secured Notes with $350 million in new secured term loans; exchanging our Unsecured Notes for either new third lien notes and a series of new warrants, or a limited amount of cash for a portion of Unsecured Notes at a price below par; payment of accrued and unpaid interest; and obtaining certain consents from Unsecured Noteholders. However, management can provide no assurance that we will be able to enter into definitive agreements regarding the terms of the refinancing transactions or conclude a refinancing of our Unsecured Notes, or that additional financing will be available to retire or replace our Secured Notes, and if available, that terms of any transaction would be favorable or compliant with the conditions for such financing set forth in the Refinancing Support Agreement. For further information about the anticipated refinancing, see the discussion in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section. The Company’s high debt levels, of which $332.5 million matures on November 1, 2014 and Alion’s recurring losses will likely make it more difficult for Alion to raise capital on favorable terms and could hinder its operations. Further, default under the Unsecured Note Indenture or the Secured Note Indenture could allow lenders to declare all amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility, the Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes to be immediately due and payable. Any event of default could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results if creditors were to exercise their rights, including proceeding against substantially all of our assets that secure the Credit Agreement and the Secured Notes, and will likely require us to invoke insolvency proceedings including, but not limited to, a voluntary case under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Our Credit Agreement financial statement covenant requires an audit opinion without a “going concern” explanatory note or any similar qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit. In anticipation of a potential covenant breach resulting from an audit opinion including a “going concern” explanatory note, in December 2013 Alion and its Credit Agreement lenders agreed to waive this covenant. The Company paid no fee for this waiver. Absent the waiver, the Company would not have been able to access its revolving credit facility. At the date of the waiver, Alion had $10 million drawn under the Credit Agreement revolving credit facility, not including approximately $4.0 million outstanding in letters of credit. Had Credit Agreement lenders not granted the waiver, the lenders would have had the right to demand the Company immediately repay any amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

Results of Operations

Quarter Ended December 31, 2013, Compared to Quarter Ended December 31, 2012

Despite a challenging defense market, the Company continues to win new contracts and execute on our existing base of business. Our fiscal 2014 first quarter revenues decreased 9.3% over fiscal 2013 first quarter revenue. As with our decrease in overall revenue, our fiscal 2014 first quarter gross margin and operating income decreased as compared to last year’s first quarter results.

The decrease in first quarter fiscal year 2014 revenue, gross margin and operating income is primarily attributed to the impact of sequestration, the Congressional continuing resolution and the U.S. federal government shutdown at the beginning of fiscal year 2014. These matters have affected funding to a number of our programs, caused delays in new awards and driven slower than anticipated ramp-up of new programs. Revenue decreases adversely affected our Core Business Areas of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Systems Analysis and Design and Modeling, Simulation, Training and Analysis. Risks related to sequestration, budget reductions, government shutdown and other market factors disclosed in our Annual Report on form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 could reverse the revenue growth experienced in fiscal year 2013 which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

 

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Revenue

First quarter revenue in fiscal 2014 was $185.4 million, down $18.9 million (9.3%) over fiscal 2013 first quarter results. This decline was driven in part by our work in the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Core Business Area, which decreased $0.5 million (0.6%) compared to first quarter of last year. The decrease in our Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering work was driven by declines in our acquisition and production management work, which were offset, in part, by increases in our ship and system design and engineering work Decreases in our high-end agile engineering, rapid prototyping and technology integration work in the Systems Analysis, Design and Engineering Core Business Area, drove the decrease in this core business area of $12.0 million (18.2%) compared to first quarter of last year. Our work in the Modeling and Simulation Core Business Area, which decreased by $6.4 million (11.6%) compared to first quarter of last year, posted declines in our decision and program support. These decreases were offset, in part, by increases in our gaming simulation development work. These core business areas supported customers such as the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems, U.S. Navy Team Ships, U.S. Special Forces Command, the Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center, the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate, Navy Warfare Development Command, Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare programs, and the Rapid Equipping Force.

The Company expects the recently enacted Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 may increase the level of new awards the Company receives and the funding of current programs in which the Company is currently engaged and could have a positive effect on the Company’s revenue, gross profit and operating income performance for fiscal year 2014.

Sources of Revenue

The U.S. government continues to be our principal customer. As in the past, we expect the majority of our revenue will be derived from Department of Defense and other federal agency contracts. Although we are investing to expand our international and commercial business, we believe commercial and international revenue will continue to be a low percentage of our total revenue. The table below summarizes our revenue by customer for the first quarter of both fiscal year 2014 and 2013.

Funding delays and reductions related to budget cuts, sequestration and the U.S. government shutdown led to declines in our first quarter fiscal 2014 revenue compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. The $5.9 million decrease in our first quarter fiscal 2014 U.S. Air Force business compared to first quarter of last year is related to Technical and Analytical work being performed in support of the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force’s Central Command. The $12.3 million decrease in our first quarter fiscal 2014 U.S. Army business as compared to first quarter of last year is related to reductions of agile engineering and rapid prototyping work being performed at the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, work being performed for the Rapid Equipping Force, and work performed for the Army’s Mission Command Training Center. First quarter fiscal 2014 revenue from Other Federal Agencies declined $2.3 million compared to first quarter of last year as tasking in our high-end consulting business has decreased due to budgetary pressures and the impact of the U.S federal government shutdown on our work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

     Three Months Ended December 31, 2013  
     2013     2012  
     (Dollars in millions)  

Revenue by Customer

          % of
revenue
           % of
revenue
 

U.S. Air Force

   $ 29.5         15.9   $ 35.4         17.3

U.S. Army

     23.7         12.8     36.0         17.6

U.S. Navy

     105.4         56.8     105.8         51.8

Other Department of Defense customers

     15.3         8.3     13.0         6.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sub-total Department of Defense customers

     173.9         93.8     190.2         93.1

Other Federal Agencies

     6.0         3.2     8.3         4.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sub-total U.S. Government customers

     179.9         97.0     198.5         97.2

Commercial and International customers

     5.5         3.0     5.8         2.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 185.4         100.0   $ 204.3         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Certain quarterly revenue by customer for the three months ended December 31, 2012 disclosed above differs from amounts previously disclosed due to customers re-defining individual contracts, task orders and programs. While this re-classification may shift reported revenue from one classification to another, our total revenue for the period remains unchanged.

 

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We provide professional engineering, program management and information technology services and scientific expertise in a range of specialized core business areas. Our business areas closely align our services with the demands of the marketplace. We expect our internal resource allocations and cost reductions will continue to improve our efficiency and enhance our ability to provide cost-effective customer solutions. Factors reducing our core business area revenues are noted in the previous Revenue section. Reductions are due, in part to award delays, slower than anticipated ramp-up periods on new contract awards, as well as sequestration and budget related reductions in our customers’ training and travel budgets which decreased our support across all of our core business areas. The table below summarizes our first quarter fiscal 2014 and 2013 revenue by core business area.

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012  

Core Business Area Revenue

   (Dollars in millions)  

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

   $ 82.5         44.5   $ 83.0         40.6

Systems Analysis, Design and Engineering

     54.1         29.2     66.1         32.4

Modeling, Simulation, Training and Analysis

     48.8         26.3     55.2         27.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 185.4         100.0   $ 204.3         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Certain quarterly revenue by core business area for the three months ended December 31, 2012 disclosed above differs from amounts previously disclosed due to customers re-defining individual contracts, task orders and programs. While this re-classification may shift reported revenue from one classification to another, our total revenue for the period remains unchanged.

Cost-reimbursement revenue decreased $16.3 million (9.5%) and provided 83.7% of 2014 first quarter revenue primarily due to the impact of sequestration, the Congressional continuing resolution and the U.S. federal government shutdown at the beginning of fiscal year 2014. Our customers, including the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Defense Technical Information Center’s Information Analysis Center (IAC) contracts, continue to utilize this method of contracting with Alion. However, funding delays and decreases due to sequestration and U.S. government budgetary constraints, have caused delays in awards and work authorizations. Fixed price contract revenue was down $3.8 million to 8.5% of first quarter revenue as a result of our work for the U.S. Army and high-end nuclear engineering contracts. Time and material contract revenue was up $1.2 million to 7.8% of first quarter revenue. The table below summarizes our first quarter fiscal 2014 and 2013 revenue by contract billing type.

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012  

Revenue by Contract Billing Type

   (Dollars in millions)  

Cost reimbursable contracts

   $ 155.2         83.7   $ 171.5         84.0

Fixed price contracts

     15.7         8.5     19.5         9.5

Time and material contracts

     14.5         7.8     13.3         6.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 185.4         100.0   $ 204.3         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Certain quarterly revenue by contract billing type for the three months ended December 31, 2012 disclosed above differs from amounts previously disclosed due to customers re-defining individual contracts, task orders and programs. While this re-classification may shift reported revenue from one classification to another, our total revenue for the period remains unchanged.

Due to the impact of sequestration, the Congressional continuing resolution and the U.S. federal government shutdown at the beginning of fiscal year 2014 our first quarter prime contract revenue was down $20.1 million, an 11.1% decrease compared to last fiscal year. Revenue from our work as a subcontractor was up $1.2 million this quarter. As a prime contractor, we deliver services to customers by deploying our own staff and managing the efforts of other contractors. We also procure additional materials to support our customers who utilize our agile engineering and rapid prototyping support services. Costs for companies that work for us as subcontractors on our prime contracts and costs for materials often generate lower contract fee percentages, which in turn, place downward pressure on our gross margins. The table below summarizes our first quarter fiscal 2014 and 2013 prime and subcontract revenue.

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012  

Prime and Subcontract Revenue

   (Dollars in millions)  

Prime contracts

   $ 161.4         87.1   $ 181.5         88.8

Subcontracts from other companies

     24.0         12.9     22.8         11.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 185.4         100.0   $ 204.3         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Certain quarterly revenue for prime and subcontracts for the three months ended December 31, 2012 disclosed above differs from amounts previously disclosed due to customers re-defining individual contracts, task orders and programs. While this re-classification may shift reported revenue from one classification to another, our total revenue for the period remains unchanged.

Although our customers continue to use IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity) contract vehicles, our IDIQ contract revenue decline accounted for $14.5 million of our first quarter revenue decline. First quarter IDIQ contract revenue decreased by 11.1% as our customers cut back on using contract vehicles such as our Weapons System Information Analysis Center and Seaport-E contracts and other IDIQ contract vehicles. The table below summarizes our first quarter fiscal 2014 and 2013 revenue by contract vehicle type.

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012  

Contract Vehicles

   (Dollars in millions)  

IDIQ Contracts

   $ 116.4         62.8   $ 131.0         64.1

Individual contracts and delivery orders

     69.0         37.2     73.3         35.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 185.4         100.0   $ 204.3         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Certain quarterly revenue for IDIQ contracts for the three months ended December 31, 2012 disclosed above differs from amounts previously disclosed due to customers re-defining individual contracts, task orders and programs. While this re-classification may shift reported revenue from one classification to another, our total revenue for the period remains unchanged.

Selected Financial Information

The table below summarizes our first quarter fiscal 2014 and 2013 revenues and income from operations. First quarter revenue decreased by $18.9 million (9.3%) year over year and our gross profit decreased $3.6 million. Total first quarter operating expenses increased $3.8 million. General and administrative costs related to our refinancing activities were the principal driver of increased costs. Occupancy costs rose modestly, while depreciation and amortization expenses were down year over year. First quarter operating income in 2014 was $7.4 million less than it was in fiscal 2013.

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     (Dollars in thousands)  
Selected Financial Information           % of
revenue
           % of
revenue
 

Total contract revenue

   $ 185,380         $ 204,329      

Total direct contract costs

     145,275         78.4     160,635         78.6

Direct labor costs

     58,977         31.8     59,461         29.1

Materials and subcontracts

     80,905         43.6     95,471         46.7

Other direct costs

     5,393         2.9     5,703         2.8

Gross profit

     40,105         21.6     43,694         21.4

Total operating expense

     37,857         20.4     34,054         16.7

Major components of operating expense:

          

Overhead and G&A expenses

     28,771         15.5     24,032         11.8

Rental and occupancy expense

     7,781         4.2     7,534         3.7

Depreciation and amortization

     1,305         0.7     2,488         1.2

Operating income

   $ 2,248         1.2   $ 9,640         4.7

 

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Table of Contents

Direct Contract Expense and Gross Profit

First quarter 2014 direct contract expenses were $15.4 million lower, down 9.6% to $145.3 million compared to last year’s direct costs of $160.6 million. This decrease is consistent with lower first quarter revenue as noted in the Sources of Revenue section of this report. Direct labor costs decreased $484 thousand to $59.0 million (31.8% of revenue) as compared to last year as a result of sequestration, the Congressional continuing resolution and the U.S. federal government shutdown at the beginning of fiscal year 2014 as well as a reduction of several of our U.S. Army training and business transformation programs. Year over year reductions in work in our agile engineering, rapid prototyping and high-end engineering businesses also drove the $14.6 million decrease in purchased materials and subcontractor costs. Our other direct contract costs were down $310 thousand because many of our customers reduced their travel budgets due to sequestration and budgetary pressures.

Our first quarter 2014 gross profit was $40.1 million, down by approximately $3.6 million compared to 2013 as a result of sequestration, the Congressional continuing resolution and the U.S. federal government shutdown at the beginning of fiscal year 2014. Our gross profit margins increased to 21.6% of revenue as compared to the 21.4% of revenue reported last year. Reduced use of subcontractors by Alion on our larger, more complex prime contracts and lower levels of purchased materials used in our agile engineering and rapid prototyping work contributed to reduced gross margins.

Operating and General and Administrative Expenses

First quarter fiscal 2014 operating expenses increased $3.8 million (11.2%) compared to the same period last year. The Company continued to post reductions in overhead expense which resulted in decreases of approximately $2.5 million. Cost reductions in our general and administrative expenses have been offset due to costs incurred related to its refinancing efforts. Depreciation and amortization charges declined by $1.2 million compared to last year as amortization charges for contracts we obtained when we acquired JJMA in 2005 continue to decrease over time. Operating expenses, excluding refinancing related charges, continue to trend downward as they have since last year. However, refinancing related expenses have contributed to a significant increase in general and administrative expenses.

Operating Income

First quarter fiscal 2014 operating income was $2.2 million, as compared to $9.6 million of first quarter of last year. The decrease was due to lower revenue, stable gross margin percentage and higher operating expenses which were driven, in part, by the costs of refinancing our debt. The decrease in first quarter revenue, coupled with higher first quarter operating expenses resulted in decreased operating income margin at 1.2% of revenue, which was a decrease of 351 basis points from the first quarter of fiscal year 2013.

Other Expense

First quarter fiscal 2014 aggregate interest income and interest expense and other expense was approximately $48 thousand higher than last year’s comparable first quarter expense. Alion’s Secured Note principal increases each time the Company issues notes in lieu of paying interest. Higher Secured Note principal drives higher cash pay interest expense and higher non-cash and deferred interest charges.

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Cash Pay Interest

     

Revolver

   $ 257       $ 205   

Secured Notes

     8,300         8,136   

Unsecured Notes

     6,022         6,278   

Other cash pay interest and fees

     15         18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sub-total cash pay interest

     14,594         14,637   

Deferred and Non-cash Interest

     

Secured Notes PIK interest

     1,660         1,626   

Debt issue costs and other non-cash items

     2,694         2,656   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sub-total non-cash interest

     4,354         4,282   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest expense

   $ 18,948       $ 18,919   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Income Tax Expense

First quarter deferred income tax expense was $1.7 million both this year and last year. Our expense relates to tax-deductible goodwill. We continue to record a full valuation allowance for any tax benefit we are entitled to recognize because our history of losses makes it unlikely we will be able to realize the full benefit of our deferred tax assets.

Net Loss

Our net loss for the first quarter totaled $18.5 million. First quarter revenue was down due, in part, to the impact of sequestration, the Congressional continuing resolution and the U.S. federal government shutdown at the beginning of fiscal year 2014 and operating income declined $7.4 million as a result of the cost of refinancing our debt.

Backlog

As of December 31, 2013, management estimates the amount of future revenues to be recognized under our existing contracts to be approximately $1.6 billion, of which, approximately $364 million is funded.

All of our existing contracts are categorized as funded backlog and unfunded backlog, each of which is described below. The contract values and management’s estimated revenues do not include any task orders or ceiling value under ID/IQ contracts, including GWACs and GSA schedules, except to the extent that task orders have been awarded to us under those contracts.

 

    Funded Backlog. Funded backlog represents the estimated revenue value of orders for services under existing contracts for which funding is appropriated or otherwise authorized less revenue previously recognized on these contracts. We expect to recognize a substantial portion of our funded backlog as revenue within the next twelve months.

 

     As of December 31,  

Backlog:

   2013      2012  
     (In millions)  

Funded

   $ 364.3       $ 421.0   

 

    Unfunded Backlog. Unfunded backlog represents the estimated revenue value of orders for services under existing contracts for which funding has not been appropriated or otherwise authorized.

 

     As of December 31,  

Backlog:

   2013      2012  
     (In millions)  

Unfunded

   $ 1,213.7       $ 1,779.0   

In second quarter fiscal 2013, management refined the methodology used to determine funded backlog and unfunded backlog, including only estimates of future revenues to be recognized under awarded contracts. First quarter fiscal 2013 estimates include executed contract values available for producing revenues for the Company.

There can be no assurance that our existing contracts will result in actual revenue in any particular period, or at all, or that any contract included in backlog will be profitable. There is a higher degree of risk in this regard with respect to unfunded backlog. The actual receipt and timing of any revenue is subject to various contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. The actual recognition of revenue on contracts included in our backlog may never occur or may change because a program schedule could change; the program could be canceled; a contract could be reduced, modified, or terminated early, whether for the convenience of the government or otherwise; or an option that we had assumed would be exercised could not be exercised. The primary risks that could affect our ability to recognize such revenue on a timely basis or at all include: schedule changes, contract modifications, and our ability to assimilate and deploy new staff against funded backlog; cost cutting initiatives and other efforts to reduce U.S. government spending, which could reduce or delay funding for orders for services; and delayed funding of our contracts due to delays in the completion of the U.S. government’s budgeting process and the use of continuing resolutions by the U.S. government to fund its operations, as described under Item 1A Risk Factors of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013. The estimates used to compile remaining contract backlog are based on our experience under our contracts, and we believe the estimates are reasonable.

 

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Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We use cash primarily to fund operations and service our debt. We had $4.7 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2013. Cash and cash equivalents declined by almost $21 million this quarter as compared to the fourth quarter fiscal year 2013. As of December 31, 2013, we had no borrowings outstanding under our $35 million revolving credit facility but we were contingently liable under $4.0 million in outstanding letters of credit which reduced our ability to borrow under our credit facility. Our maximum available credit agreement borrowing capacity was approximately $31.0 million at December 31, 2013. The Credit Agreement expires in August 2014.

At December 31, 2013, we had $333.1 million in outstanding Secured Notes due November 2014 and $235.0 million in outstanding Unsecured Notes due February 2015. For additional information concerning our Credit Agreement, our Secured Notes and our Unsecured Notes, see Note 10 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

In general, cash provided by operating activities is adequate to fund our operations, including quarterly interest payments for our Secured and Unsecured Notes. When the Secured Notes mature on November 1, 2014, we will have to pay out $339.8 million in principal and $16.8 million in interest. In February 2015, we will have to pay out $235.0 million in principal and $12.0 million in interest when the Unsecured Notes mature. At the point of maturity of our Secured Notes and Unsecured Notes, our current liabilities will exceed our current assets and we will not have sufficient cash flow from operating activities to repay the Secured and Unsecured Notes (at maturity). Our history of continuing losses, our financial position, and the substantial liquidity needs we face raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. See Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein.

Alion executed a Refinancing Support Agreement with the holders of a majority of its outstanding Unsecured Notes regarding the following possible refinancing transactions:

 

    exchanging Unsecured Notes for, at the holders’ option, either (a) new third lien notes maturing in five and one-half years, with a combination of interest payable in cash and in kind, and new warrants to purchase up to 27.5% of the Company’s common stock or (b) a limited amount of cash at a price below par plus accrued and unpaid interest, a 1.5% early tender cash payment, if applicable (the “Exchange Offer”), and obtaining certain consents from Unsecured Noteholders;

 

    entering into a new $300.0 million first lien term loan facility having a term no less than five years;

 

    entering into a new $50.0 million second lien term loan facility having a term of five and one-half years;

 

    redeeming all of our outstanding Secured Notes prior to their November 2014 maturity with the proceeds of the new first and second lien term loan facilities;

 

    replacing our $35.0 million existing revolving credit facility with a new revolving credit facility; and

 

    offering new notes and warrants to holders of the Unsecured Notes who tender into the Exchange Offer if any holder elects the cash option in the Exchange Offer (the “Unit Offering”).

In January 2014, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to file a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to register the Exchange Offer and the Unit Offering.

Although we have entered into the Refinancing Support Agreement, there can be no assurance that the Company will enter into definitive agreements regarding the terms of the refinancing transactions, that a sufficient amount of the other holders of the Unsecured Notes will agree to participate in the Exchange Offer, that the Company will be successful at obtaining a new revolving credit facility or refinancing the Secured Notes or that any transaction will occur on all or any of the terms described above, and, if any transaction does occur, that the terms concluded will be favorable to the Company’s existing investors. The Company is continuing its refinancing efforts. The Company may engage from time to time in discussions with other creditors of the Company, other holders of the Unsecured Notes, and holders of the Senior Secured Notes as well as with advisors to such creditors and holders.

The terms of the agreements the Company is seeking to negotiate are expected to materially affect Alion’s short and long-term cash obligations and the company’s interest expense. Future interest expense on the agreements to be negotiated may include interest payable in cash, PIK interest and warrants. Demands on the Company’s cash flows as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are likely to change materially if the Company’s refinancing efforts are successful.

 

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Cash flows used in operating activities

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (19,903   $ (6,317
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our operating cash flows are primarily affected by our ability to invoice and collect from our clients in a timely manner, our ability to manage our vendor payments, and the overall profitability of our contracts. We bill most of our customers monthly after services are rendered. Some contracts permit us to bill our customers twice monthly. Operating activities used $19.9 million cash in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to only $6.3 million consumed in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Some of our increased cash demands were driven by costs we are incurring in our efforts to refinance our existing debt. Current year operating cash flows were affected by:

 

    lower revenue and billings to customers

 

    delays in collecting receivables

 

    timing of vendor payments

 

    higher net losses and

 

    lower non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization, and incentive compensation

In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we collected approximately $188 million in receivables, slightly more than the revenue we recognized this quarter. In first quarter of fiscal 2013, we collected $204 million which was slightly less than the revenue recognized that quarter. Even though collections kept pace with revenue, the October 2013 government shut down along with government payment process changes have delayed some collections.

We compute days’ sales outstanding (DSO) based on trailing twelve-month revenue. Accounts receivable DSO stood at 74.4 days at December 31, 2013 and 74.2 days at September 30, 2013. Lower sales and receivables balances kept DSO relatively unchanged in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

This quarter, we saw delays in obtaining contract funding for customer-requested work performed in advance of receiving executed contract documents. At September 30, 2013, we had $14.6 million in unfunded contract receivables for customer-requested work. As of December 31, 2013 this had grown by $3.2 million to $17.8 million. Management cannot forecast whether the Bipartisan Budget Control Act will favorably or adversely affect timing of contract funding and/or collections for Alion’s programs.

Cash used in investing activities

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Net cash used in investing activities

   $ (273   $ (603
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

We use some of our cash to invest in equipment and software, leasehold improvements and internally-developed software. During the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we spent $273 thousand and $603 thousand for these types of capital expenditures. We expect our investing activities and capital expenditures to continue at comparable levels for the balance of the current fiscal year. Our Credit Agreement limits the amount we may spend on capital expenditures.

Cash used in financing activities

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Net cash used in financing activities

   $ (750   $ (846
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In the three months ended December 31, 2013, we used $750 thousand to pay the first of several fees associated with the Company’s refinancing efforts. The Company will face additional fees at or before closing of the transactions contemplated in this agreement. In fiscal 2014, the Company sold $934 thousand worth of Alion common stock to the ESOP Trust for employee purchases. In a separate transaction, Alion subsequently repurchased $934 thousand of ESOP shares from former employees and beneficiaries.

 

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Fluctuations in our cash flows and liquidity demands required by operations occasionally make it necessary for Alion to access our revolving credit facility. In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we borrowed and repaid $10.0 million on our revolving credit facility to fund operations and moderate the adverse effects on collections from the government shutdown and other process delays. We did not access the revolving credit facility to make our November 2013 interest payment. Our revolving credit facility balance for the period over which we borrowed funds was $10 million, not including letters of credit. Our fiscal 2014 weighted average loan balance was approximately $3.2 million.

In fiscal 2013, the Company’s first quarter financing activities were exclusively sales and repurchases of common stock. The ESOP Trust bought approximately $2.0 million in Alion common stock and the Company spent approximately $1.1 million to repurchase shares from former employees and beneficiaries.

Discussion of Debt Structure

Alion’s current debt structure includes a $35 million revolving credit facility, $333.1 million in Secured Notes ($310 million in initial face value plus $23.1 million in PIK interest notes issued), and $235.0 million in Unsecured Notes. Our credit arrangements, including our Unsecured and Secured Note Indentures and our revolving credit facility, include a number of covenants. We expect to be able to comply with our indenture covenants and our credit facility financial covenants at least until the Credit Agreement expires in August 2014. The Company is in compliance with each of the affirmative, negative and financial covenants in its existing debt agreements. See Note 10 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a detailed discussion of Alion’s current debt structure and a list of relevant terms and limitations in existing current and long-term debt agreements, our Credit Agreement, Secured Note Indenture and Unsecured Note Indenture.

Credit Agreement – Covenant Compliance

In December 2013, in anticipation of a potential covenant breach resulting from an audit opinion including a “going concern” explanatory note, we and our Credit Agreement lenders agreed to waive this covenant. We paid no fee for this waiver. Absent the waiver, we would not have been able to access or revolving credit facility after receipt our fiscal year end 2013 audit opinion.

Alion’s Credit Agreement defines Consolidated EBITDA and requires the Company to achieve a minimum Consolidated EBITDA threshold in order to maintain access to the revolving credit facility and avoid potential cross default on the Secured and Unsecured Notes. Neither EBITDA nor Consolidated EBITDA is a measure of financial performance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Credit Agreement permits Alion to exclude certain expenses and requires it to exclude certain one-time gains when computing Consolidated EBITDA. The Credit Agreement required Alion to have a minimum $65.5 million in Consolidated EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. We had approximately $69.5 million in Consolidated EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, and exceeded the requirement by approximately $4.0 million.

Secured Note Indenture and Unsecured Note Indenture

There are no financial covenants in either the Secured Note Indenture or the Unsecured Note Indenture. Certain provisions in the Secured Note Indenture and the Unsecured Note Indenture limit our ability to incur additional debt or pay dividends if our ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense is not greater than 2.0 to 1.0. The Secured and Unsecured Note Indentures define Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense. Adjusted EBITDA under the Secured Note Indenture and the Unsecured Note Indenture differs from Consolidated EBITDA as defined in our Credit Agreement. Adjusted EBITDA is less than Consolidated EBITDA because it does not include employee investments in Alion common stock. Set out below are our actual ratios of Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013.

 

     December 31,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 

Trailing twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 67.7 million       $ 69.0 million   

Trailing twelve-month Consolidated Interest Expense

   $ 75.7 million       $ 75.7 million   

Ratio

     0.89 to 1.0         0.92 to 1.0   

 

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Capital Resources

 

     December 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Available Liquidity

   (In thousands)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,687      $ 19,461   

Revolving credit facility

     35,000        35,000   

Less: Letters of Credit

     (4,000     (4,011
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net available liquidity

   $ 35,687      $ 50,450   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Despite our lower levels of cash on hand at December 31, 2013, we believe the capital resources available to us including our $31.0 million available capacity under our revolving credit facility, and cash from our operations, are adequate to fund anticipated operating cash requirements so long as the refinancing transactions are completed timely. We also believe that our cash on hand and cash from operations are adequate to make our quarterly interest payments for our Secured and Unsecured Notes. We also expect that our cash flows will be sufficient to meet ESOP repurchase and diversification demands and support the Company’s modest level of capital expenditures. Although Alion’s cash flow from operations has been sufficient for the Company to fulfill its financial commitments in the past, unless we are able to refinance our existing debt agreements, we will be unable to repay either the Secured Notes or the Unsecured Notes when they become due in November 2014 and February 2015.

At December 31, 2013, we had no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and we had $4 million in outstanding letters of credit. For additional information concerning our Credit Agreement, see Note 10 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

We expect to be able to meet the existing Credit Agreement debt covenants including the required $65.5 million Consolidated EBITDA threshold through the Credit Agreement’s expiration in August 2014. We believe Alion can attain the minimum Consolidated EBITDA levels required in the Credit Agreement even though delays in contract awards could adversely affect our ability to increase our revenue on the timeline we seek to achieve. We believe Alion will be able to meet its financial covenants over the remaining life of the credit facility and thus be able borrow funds as and when necessary through the Credit Agreement’s August 2014 maturity date.

Short-term Borrowings

From time-to-time, we borrow funds under our revolving credit facility for working capital requirements, to fund operations and to repurchase our Unsecured Notes in open market transactions. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear interest at one of the following variable rates as selected by the Company at the time of the borrowing: an 8.5% Eurodollar rate or an 8.5% alternative base rate.

During the remaining life of the existing Credit Agreement we may use our revolving credit facility or additional sources of borrowings, as needed, to fund our anticipated cash requirements. We do not currently forecast that we will need to draw significant amounts on the revolving credit facility for extended periods. However, as we did during our most recent quarter, we may need to use the revolving credit facility for short periods of time based on collections cycles subject to government payment delays.

If the federal government were to implement further changes to its current payment practices, as a result of sequestration, budget cuts, policy changes, government shut downs, or otherwise, we might have to use our revolving credit facility to a more significant extent than we currently forecast. Despite payment delays arising from the October 2013 government shut down, we did not have to draw on our revolving credit facility to make our November 2013 interest payment. We did, however, access our revolving credit facility later in November 2013. Continued delays in the government payment cycle could adversely affect our short-term cash flows and increase our interest expense if we need to use our credit facility to borrow larger amounts more frequently than we have in the past or currently plan to do in the future.

 

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The following table summarizes the activity under our revolving credit facility for three months ended December 31 2013 and 2012, not including issued and outstanding letters of credit.

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012  

Short-term borrowings

   (In thousands)  

Aggregate revolving credit facility borrowings

   $ 10,000      $ —     

Aggregate revolving credit facility repayments

     (10,000     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in revolving credit facility balance payable

   $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Management

To the extent possible, we invest our available cash in short-term, investment grade securities with the priorities of maintaining the safety of our principal, maintaining the liquidity of our investments, maximizing the yield on our investments and investing our cash to the fullest extent possible. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and short term investments with maturity dates of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Cash flow effects and risks associated with equity-related obligations

We cannot accurately predict the extent to which ESOP repurchases and diversification demands may increase in future years. As more employees meet statutory and Plan-specific age and length of service requirements, potential diversification demands may increase. These demands can increase further with any increase in the price of a share of Alion common stock. While declines in our share price, such as the ones we have over the past two years, could reduce the value of each individual Plan participant’s beneficial interest, such a potential price decline could be offset by increased diversification demands and thus might not reduce the aggregate value of near-term demands on our cash to fund ESOP-related transactions. We monitor future potential repurchase liability cash flow demands by relying in part on internal and external financial models that incorporate Plan census data and financial inputs intended to simulate changes in Alion’s share price.

Changes in the price of a share of Alion common stock do not affect warrant-related interest expense. Our outstanding Secured Note warrants are permanent equity. The warrants have a one penny exercise price and are in the money. They do not have a cash liquidation option and therefore Alion only recognizes interest expense for the debt issue cost associated with the initial fair value of these warrants.

Alion faces no significant stock-based compensation liabilities. Outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) have little, if any, intrinsic value and the Company’s related liability is minimal. Management is unable to forecast the share price the ESOP Trustee will determine in future valuations and thus cannot predict future SAR-related cash flow demands. Certain SAR grantees can choose to defer future payments by having us deposit funds in a rabbi trust we own. Any such deferrals will not materially affect planned payments or overall anticipated cash outflows.

Although current financial information includes the effects of the most recent ESOP Trust transactions, future expenses for stock-based compensation are likely to differ from estimates as the price of a share of Alion common stock changes. Our next regularly scheduled ESOP valuation period ends in March 2014. Interest rates, market-based factors and volatility, the effects of Alion’s efforts to refinance it existing indebtedness, as well as Alion’s financial results will affect the future value of a share of our common stock. After each semi-annual valuation period, the Plan permits former employees and beneficiaries to request distribution of their vested ESOP account balances. Consistent with the terms of the Plan, IRC requirements, and our established practice, we intend to pay distribution requests in five annual installments and to defer initial payments as permitted. The Plan allows Alion to defer initial installment distributions for six years for former employees who are not disabled, deceased or retired. We plan to meet future distribution demands through operating cash flows, and if necessary, access to Alion’s revolving credit facility.

Cash flow demands from existing debt agreement obligations

During fiscal 2014 and for fiscal 2015, we expect we will have to make the estimated interest and principal payments set forth below for Alion’s existing long-term debt. Based on our current capital structure, we do not forecast that we will have material interest expense on our revolving credit facility as we do not expect to borrow material amounts for any significant period of time. Our forecast interest expense is based on amounts we expect to pay in commitment fees for unused balances on the revolving credit facility throughout its remaining life. We may access the revolving credit facility from time to time if the Company determines it is advantageous to make additional repurchases of our outstanding notes.

 

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We do not expect Alion will have any material tax-related cash obligations for the foreseeable future. We have significant net operating loss deductions available. We do not forecast having taxable income for at least the next five years.

We believe the Company will be unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to retire its debt as it comes due. We can offer no assurance that Alion will be able to obtain new financing at sufficient levels and on acceptable terms, if at all. The following table discloses the estimated interest and principal payments the Company expects to pay on its existing current and long term debt during the remainder of its fiscal year 2014 and in its fiscal year 2015 and does not reflect the effects of any potential refinancing transaction.

 

     Fiscal Year  

Estimated Minimum Payments - Existing Debt Agreements

   2014      2015  
     (In thousands)  

Revolving credit facility (1)

     

Interest

   $ 398       $ —     

Secured Notes (2)

     

Interest

     16,655         16,821   

Principal and PIK Interest Notes

     —           339,788   

Unsecured Notes (3)

     

Interest

     24,088         12,300   

Principal

     —           235,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest paid in cash

   $ 41,141         28,865   

Total principal and PIK Interest paid in cash

     —           574,788   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total estimated minimum debt payments

   $ 41,141         603,653   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Through August 22, 2014, when the existing Credit Agreement expires, we expect we may occasionally use our $35.0 million revolving credit facility to meet working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes. Management expects the average utilized revolver balance will be immaterial and that interest expense will consist primarily of commitment fees for unused balances.
(2) The Secured Notes bear interest at 10% in cash and 2% in PIK. The outstanding principal will increase over time for the 2% compounding PIK interest added to the initial $310 million in principal. The Secured Notes, including $29.8 million in PIK interest, mature November 1, 2014.
(3) The Unsecured Notes bear interest at 10.25% and mature February 1, 2015. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had repurchased $15 million worth of Unsecured Notes: $2 million in November 2010; $3 million in June 2011; $5 million in June 2013; and $5 million in July 2013.

Contingent Obligations

Other Contingent obligations which will impact the Company’s cash flow

Management forecasts that continuing net operating losses for income tax purposes will permit Alion to avoid significant cash outflows for income taxes. Other contingent obligations which will impact our cash flow include:

 

    ESOP share repurchase and diversification obligations; and

 

    Long-term incentive compensation plan obligations.

From December 2002 to December 2013, Alion had spent a cumulative total of $99.1 million to repurchase shares of its common stock to satisfy ESOP distribution and diversification requests from former employees and Plan beneficiaries. Beginning in March 2008, we stopped making lump sum distributions and began paying ESOP beneficiaries over the five-year distribution period permitted by ERISA and the terms of the Plan. Alion intends to continue this practice for the foreseeable future in part to offset the cash flow effects of annual employee diversification requests which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Our debt agreements limit our ability to fund certain discretionary ESOP diversification demands on our cash flow. The table below lists current and prior year share repurchases.

 

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Date

   Shares
Repurchased
     Share
Price
     Total Value
Purchased
 
                   (In thousands)  

November 2011

     1,481       $ 20.95       $ 31   

December 2011

     106,505       $ 20.95         2,231   

January 2012

     22,782       $ 20.95         477   

May 2012

     3,104       $ 18.00         56   

June 2012

     113,342       $ 18.00         2,040   

August 2012

     418       $ 18.00         8   

November 2012

     485       $ 16.45         8   

December 2012

     119,555       $ 16.45         1,967   

January 2013

     759       $ 16.45         12   

February 2013

     5,593       $ 16.45         92   

March 2013

     115,933       $ 16.45         1,907   

June 2013

     164,548       $ 16.25         2,674   

July 2013

     106       $ 16.25         2   

September 2013

     111       $ 16.25         2   

December 2013

     115,252       $ 8.10         934   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 
     769,975          $ 12,441   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest rate risk

We face interest rate risk for periodic borrowings on our $35.0 million senior revolving credit facility under the existing Credit Agreement. Outstanding balances, if any, bear interest at a variable rate based on Credit Suisse’s prime rate plus a maximum spread of 600 basis points. Variable rates increase the risk that interest charges could increase materially if both market interest rates and outstanding balances were to increase. We estimate that a 100 basis point change in interest rates under the existing revolving credit facility would not have a material effect on the company’s operating results. The Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes are fixed-rate obligations. Other than the current revolving credit facility, Alion currently has no variable rate debt. We do not use derivatives for trading purposes. We invest excess cash in short-term, investment grade, and interest-bearing securities.

Foreign currency risk

International contract expenses and revenues are U.S. dollar-denominated. Alion does not believe operations are subject to material risks from currency fluctuations.

Risk associated with value of Alion common stock

Changes in the fair market value of Alion’s stock affect our estimated ESOP share repurchase obligations and, to a lesser extent, our stock appreciation right obligations. The number of employees who seek to redeem shares of Alion stock following termination of employment and the number of shares they seek to redeem affect the timing and amount of our repurchase obligations. The number of employees who exercise stock appreciation rights during any particular time period can affect the timing and amount of our stock appreciation right obligations.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it is required to file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s

 

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rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective and timely.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended June 30, 2013, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business that we believe are not material to our financial condition, operating results, or cash flows. As a government contractor, from time to time we may be subject to DCAA audits and federal government inquiries. The federal government may suspend or debar for a period of time any federal contractor it finds has violated the False Claims Act, and any contractor indicted or convicted of violations of other federal laws. The federal government could also impose fines or penalties.

Alion depends on federal government contracts; suspension or debarment could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flows and our ability to meet our financial obligations. We are not aware of any such pending federal government claims or investigations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

As of December 31, 2013, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On December 5, 2013, Alion sold approximately 115,354 shares of common stock to the ESOP Trust at an average price of $8.10 per share for proceeds of approximately $934 thousand. The Company did not use an underwriter and did not pay underwriter discounts or commissions. The shares of common stock were sold pursuant to an exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. Alion offered and sold beneficial interests in the ESOP to eligible employees pursuant to Rule 701 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

In February 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized the Company to pay fiscal 2013 annual performance bonuses to Dr. Atefi, Ms. Mendler, Mr. Broadus, Mr. Hirt and Mr. Riddick. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors reached this decision after having authorized the Company to file a registration statement on Form S-1 in connection with Alion’s refinancing efforts.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Alion Science and Technology Corporation pursuant to Rule 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (a)
  31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Alion Science and Technology Corporation pursuant to 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (a)
  32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Alion Science and Technology Corporation, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (a)
  32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Alion Science and Technology Corporation, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (a)
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document +
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document +
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document +
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document +
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document +
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document +

 

(a) Filed with this Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2013.
+ As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished herewith and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act and Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: February 14, 2014

 

ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Barry M. Broadus

Name:   Barry M. Broadus
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer

 

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