Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Performance and Payment Bonds and Parent Guarantees

In the ordinary course of business, Orbital Energy Group and its subsidiaries are required by certain customers to provide performance and payment bonds for contractual commitments related to its projects. These bonds provide a guarantee to the customer that the Company will perform under the terms of a contract and that the Company will pay its subcontractors and vendors. If the Company fails to perform under a contract or to pay its subcontractors and vendors, the customer may demand that the surety make payments or provide services under the bond. The Company must reimburse the surety for expenses or outlays it incurs. Certain bonds are for open-ended contracts with multiple work orders so the value may increase as the work progresses and more work orders are started. The bonds will remain in place as the Company completes projects and resolves any disputed matters with the customers, vendors and subcontractors related to the bonded projects. As of March 31, 2022 the total amount of the outstanding performance and payment bonds was approximately $108.1 million. In addition, the Company had letters of credit outstanding of $1.4 million as of March 31, 2022.

Additionally, from time to time, we guarantee certain obligations and liabilities of our subsidiaries that may arise in connection with, among other things, contracts with customers, equipment lease obligations, and contractor licenses. These guarantees may cover all of the subsidiary’s unperformed, undischarged and unreleased obligations and liabilities under or in connection with the relevant agreement. For example, with respect to customer contracts, a guarantee may cover a variety of obligations and liabilities arising during the ordinary course of the subsidiary’s business or operations, including, among other things, warranty and breach of contract claims, third-party and environmental liabilities arising from the subsidiary’s work and for which it is responsible, liquidated damages, or indemnity claims.

Contingent Liabilities

Orbital Energy Group, Inc. is occasionally party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. These actions typically seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, negligence or gross negligence and/or property damages, wage and hour and other employment-related damages, punitive damages, civil penalties or other losses, or injunctive or declaratory relief.

Regarding all lawsuits, claims and proceedings, Orbital Energy Group, Inc. records a reserve when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the loss can be reasonably estimated. In addition, Orbital Energy Group, Inc. discloses matters for which management believes a material loss is at least reasonably possible. None of these proceedings are expected to have a material adverse effect on Orbital Energy Group, Inc.’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In all instances, management has assessed the matter based on current information and made a judgment concerning its potential outcome, considering the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought and the probability of success. Management’s judgment may prove materially inaccurate, and such judgment is made subject to the known uncertainties of litigation.