Basis of Presentation and Preparation (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation.    The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of joint ventures of which we are the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year.    We report results of operations based on 52 or 53-week periods ending on the Sunday nearest September 30. Fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017 each contained 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although such estimates and assumptions are based on management's best knowledge of current events and actions we may take in the future, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents.    Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less at the date of purchase. We record cash and cash equivalents as restricted when we are unable to freely use such cash and cash equivalents for our general operating purposes.

Insurance Matters, Litigation and Contingencies

Insurance Matters, Litigation and Contingencies.    In the normal course of business, we are subject to certain contractual guarantees and litigation. In addition, we maintain insurance coverage for various aspects of our business and operations. We record in our consolidated balance sheets amounts representing our estimated liability for these legal and insurance obligations. Any adjustments to these liabilities are recorded in our consolidated statements of income.

Accounts Receivable - Net

Accounts Receivable – Net.    Net accounts receivable is primarily comprised of billed and unbilled accounts receivable, contract retentions and allowances for doubtful accounts. Billed accounts receivable represent amounts billed to clients that have not been collected. Unbilled accounts receivable represent revenue recognized but not yet billed pursuant to contract terms or billed after the period end date. Most of our unbilled receivables at September 29, 2019 are expected to be billed and collected within 12 months. Unbilled accounts receivable also include amounts related to requests for equitable adjustment to contracts that provide for price redetermination. These amounts are recorded only when they can be reliably estimated and realization is probable. Contract retentions represent amounts withheld by clients until certain conditions are met or the project is completed, which may be several months or years. Allowances for doubtful accounts represent the amounts that may become uncollectible or unrealizable in the future. We determine an estimated allowance for uncollectible accounts based on management's consideration of trends in the actual and forecasted credit quality of our clients, including delinquency and payment history; type of client, such as a government agency or a commercial sector client; and general economic and particular industry conditions that may affect a client's ability to pay. Billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts represent the amount of cash collected from clients and billings to clients on contracts in advance of work performed and revenue recognized. The majority of these amounts will be earned within 12 months.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment.    Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from our consolidated balance sheets and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in our consolidated statements of income. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Generally, estimated useful lives range from three to ten years for equipment, furniture and fixtures. Buildings are depreciated over periods not exceeding 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the length of the lease. Assets held for sale are carried at the lower of their carrying amount (i.e., net book value) or fair value less cost to sell and are reported as "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" on our consolidated balance sheets.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets.    Our policy regarding long-lived assets is to evaluate the recoverability of our assets when the facts and circumstances suggest that the assets may be impaired. This assessment is performed based on the estimated undiscounted cash flows compared to the carrying value of the assets. If the future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) are less than the carrying value, a write-down would be recorded to reduce the related asset to its estimated fair value.

We recognize a liability for contract termination costs associated with an exit activity for costs that will continue to be incurred under a lease for its remaining term without economic benefit to us, initially measured at its fair value at the cease-use date. The fair value is determined based on the remaining lease rentals, adjusted for the effects of any prepaid or deferred items recognized under the lease, and reduced by estimated sublease rentals.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations.    The cost of an acquired company is assigned to the tangible and intangible assets purchased and the liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. The determination of fair values of assets and liabilities acquired requires us to make estimates and use valuation techniques when a market value is not readily available. Any excess of purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. Goodwill typically represents the value paid for the assembled workforce and enhancement of our service offerings. Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as they are incurred.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets.    Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business acquisition. Following an acquisition, we perform an analysis to value the acquired company's tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. With respect to identifiable intangible assets, we consider backlog, non-compete agreements, client relations, trade names, patents and other assets. We amortize our intangible assets based on the period over which the contractual or economic benefits of the intangible assets are expected to be realized. We assess the recoverability of the unamortized balance of our intangible assets when indicators of impairment are present based on expected future profitability and undiscounted expected cash flows and their contribution to our overall operations. Should the review indicate that the carrying value is not fully recoverable, the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the intangible assets would be recognized as an impairment loss.

We test our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, and more frequently when an event occurs, or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. We believe the methodology that we use to review impairment of goodwill, which includes a significant amount of judgment and estimates, provides us with a reasonable basis to determine whether impairment has occurred. However, many of the factors employed in determining whether our goodwill is impaired are outside of our control and it is reasonably likely that assumptions and estimates will change in future periods. These changes could result in future impairments.

We perform our annual goodwill impairment review at the beginning of our fiscal fourth quarter. Our last annual review was performed at July 1, 2019 (i.e., the first day of our fiscal fourth quarter). In addition, we regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that may indicate a potential change in recoverability of goodwill. We perform interim goodwill impairment reviews between our annual reviews if certain events and circumstances have occurred, including a deterioration in general economic conditions, an increased competitive environment, a change in management, key personnel, strategy or customers, negative or declining cash flows, or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods. We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. Our operating segments are the same as our reportable segments and our reporting units for goodwill impairment testing are the components one level below our reportable segments. These components constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and where segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. We aggregate components within an operating segment that have similar economic characteristics.

The impairment test for goodwill involves the comparison of the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to the reporting unit's carrying value, including goodwill. We estimate the fair value of reporting units based on a comparison and weighting of the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method and the market approach, which estimates the fair value of our reporting units based upon comparable market prices and recent transactions and also validates the reasonableness of the multiples from the income approach. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of that reporting unit is

not considered impaired. However, if its carrying value exceeds its fair value, our goodwill is impaired, and we are required to record a non-cash charge that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. An impairment loss recognized, if any, should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

Contingent Consideration

Contingent Consideration.    Most of our acquisition agreements include contingent earn-out arrangements, which are generally based on the achievement of future operating income thresholds. The contingent earn-out arrangements are based upon our valuations of the acquired companies and reduce the risk of overpaying for acquisitions if the projected financial results are not achieved.

The fair values of these earn-out arrangements are included as part of the purchase price of the acquired companies on their respective acquisition dates. For each transaction, we estimate the fair value of contingent earn-out payments as part of the initial purchase price and record the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as a liability in "Current contingent earn-out liabilities" and "Long-term contingent earn-out liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. We consider several factors when determining that contingent earn-out liabilities are part of the purchase price, including the following: (1) the valuation of our acquisitions is not supported solely by the initial consideration paid, and the contingent earn-out formula is a critical and material component of the valuation approach to determining the purchase price; and (2) the former owners of acquired companies that remain as key employees receive compensation other than contingent earn-out payments at a reasonable level compared with the compensation of our other key employees. The contingent earn-out payments are not affected by employment termination.

We measure our contingent earn-out liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We use a probability weighted discounted income approach as a valuation technique to convert future estimated cash flows to a single present value amount. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements are operating income projections over the earn-out period (generally two or three years), and the probability outcome percentages we assign to each scenario. Significant increases or decreases to either of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower liability with a higher liability capped by the contractual maximum of the contingent earn-out obligation. Ultimately, the liability will be equivalent to the amount paid, and the difference between the fair value estimate and amount paid will be recorded in earnings. The amount paid that is less than or equal to the liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Any amount paid in excess of the liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in operating activities.

We review and re-assess the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could differ materially from the initial estimates. Changes in the estimated fair value of our contingent earn-out liabilities related to the time component of the present value calculation are reported in interest expense. Adjustments to the estimated fair value related to changes in all other unobservable inputs are reported in operating income.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments.    We determine the fair values of our financial instruments, including short-term investments, debt instruments and derivative instruments based on inputs or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. We categorize our instruments using a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. The classification of a financial asset or liability within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair values based on their short-term nature. The carrying amounts of our revolving credit facility approximates fair value because the interest rates are based upon variable reference rates. Certain other assets and liabilities, such as contingent earn-out liabilities and amounts related to cash-flow hedges, are required to be carried in our consolidated financial statements at fair value.

Our fair value measurement methods may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Although we believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those used by other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments.    We account for our derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities and carry them at fair value. For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity and reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in current income. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash flows on hedged transactions.

The net gain or loss on the effective portion of a derivative instrument that is designated as an economic hedge of the foreign currency translation exposure generated by the re-measurement of certain assets and liabilities denominated in a non-functional currency in a foreign operation is reported in the same manner as a foreign currency translation adjustment. Accordingly, any gains or losses related to these derivative instruments are recognized in current income. Derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are adjusted to fair value through current income.

Deferred Compensation

Deferred Compensation.    We maintain a non-qualified defined contribution supplemental retirement plan for certain key employees and non-employee directors that is accounted for in accordance with applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for deferred compensation arrangements where amounts earned are held in a rabbi trust and invested. Employee deferrals and our match are deposited into a rabbi trust, and the funds are generally invested in individual variable life insurance contracts that we own and are specifically designed to informally fund savings plans of this nature. Our consolidated balance sheets reflect our investment in variable life insurance contracts in "Other long-term assets." Our obligation to participating employees is reflected in "Other long-term liabilities." All income and expenses related to the rabbi trust are reflected in our consolidated statements of income.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes.    We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. In addition, we file other returns that are required in the states, foreign jurisdictions and other jurisdictions in which we do business. We account for certain income and expense items differently for financial reporting and income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed for the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to reverse. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management reviews both positive and negative evidence, including current and historical results of operations, future income projections and potential tax planning strategies. Based on our assessment, we have concluded that a portion of the deferred tax assets at September 29, 2019 will not be realized.

According to the authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. This guidance also addresses de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and disclosure requirements for uncertain tax positions.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk.    Financial instruments that subject us to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and net accounts receivable. In the event that we have surplus cash, we place our temporary cash investments with lower risk financial institutions and, by policy, limit the amount of investment exposure to any one financial institution. Approximately 23% of accounts receivable were due from various agencies of the U.S. federal government at fiscal 2019 year-end. The remaining accounts receivable are generally diversified due to the large number of organizations comprising our client base and their geographic dispersion. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and maintain an allowance for potential credit losses.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation.    We determine the functional currency of our foreign operating units based upon the primary currency in which they operate. These operating units maintain their accounting records in their local currency, primarily Canadian and Australian dollars, and British pounds. Where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, translation of assets and liabilities to U.S. dollars is based on exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Translation of revenue and expenses to U.S. dollars is based on the average rate during the period. Translation gains or losses are reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Gains or losses from foreign currency transactions are included in income from operations.

Recently Adopted and Pending Accounting Guidance

Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

New accounting pronouncements implemented by us during fiscal 2019 are discussed below.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09 ("ASC 606"), "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance and the related ASUs were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (first quarter of fiscal 2019 for us). On October 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method in which the new guidance was applied retrospectively to contracts that were not substantially completed as of the date of adoption. Results for the reporting period beginning after October 1, 2018 have been presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous guidance. See Note 3, "Revenue Recognition" for further discussion of the adoption and the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that generally requires companies to measure investments in other entities, except those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. The guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 (first quarter of fiscal 2019 for us). The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance which requires excess tax benefits and deficiencies on share-based payments to be recorded as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement rather than being recorded in additional paid-in capital. It also requires the presentation of employee taxes as financing activities on consolidated statements of cash flows, which was previously classified as operating activities. This guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (first quarter of fiscal 2018 for us), with early adoption permitted. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we adopted this guidance. At the beginning of fiscal 2019, we revised the presentation of "Net cash provided by operating activities" and "Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities" in the consolidated statement of cash flows for prior period to adjust the presentation of “Taxes paid on vested restricted stock” and appropriately reflect such amounts as financing activities. The adjustment resulted in an increase of net cash provided by operating activities of $8.9 million and $3.5 million, and an increase of net cash used in financing activities of $8.9 million and $3.5 million for fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively. We assessed the materiality of these adjustments on our consolidated financial statements for prior periods and concluded that the amounts were not material to any prior interim or annual periods. We elected to revise the presentation for comparability purposes.

In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance to address eight specific cash flow issues to reduce the existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 (first quarter of fiscal 2019 for us). The adoption of this guidance had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance which requires entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The guidance was effective for fiscal reporting periods and interim reporting periods within those fiscal reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 (first quarter of fiscal 2019 for us). The adoption of this guidance had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance which provides amendments to address the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 (first quarter of fiscal 2019 for us). The adoption of this guidance had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We updated certain captions in our consolidated statements of cash flows to include restricted cash, which is reported in our "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" on the consolidated balance sheets.

In May 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance to clarify when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. Under the updated guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award changes because of a change in terms or conditions. The guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 (first quarter of fiscal 2019 for us), on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) published Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, which adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements that have become redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded, considering other SEC disclosure requirements, U.S. GAAP, or changes in the information environment. As such, we removed the disclosure of cash dividends paid per share from our consolidated statements of income.

New accounting pronouncements requiring implementation in future periods are discussed below.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires the rights and obligations associated with leasing arrangements be reflected on the balance sheet to increase transparency and comparability among organizations, and further clarified and amended this guidance. Lessees will be required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for leases with terms greater than twelve months or leases that contain a purchase option that is reasonably certain to be exercised. Lessees will classify leases as either finance or operating leases. Substantially all of our leases are operating leases, which will result in lease expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (first quarter of fiscal 2020 for us). The new guidance will be applied to leases that exist or are entered into on or after September 30, 2019 (first day of our fiscal 2020) without adjusting comparative periods in the financial statements. We expect to utilize the practical expedients that, upon adoption of this guidance, allow us to (1) not reassess whether

any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (2) retain the classification of leases (e.g., operating or finance lease) existing as of the date of adoption and (3) not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases. We are in the final stages of evaluating our existing lease portfolio, including accumulating all of the necessary information required to properly account for leases under the new guidance. Based on the most recent assessment of existing leases, the adoption of the guidance is expected to result in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that will be included on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2019 of approximately $300 million. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated statements of income or cash flows. Our current amounts payable under non-cancelable lease commitments are disclosed in Note 11, "Leases".

In June 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance which requires entities to estimate all expected credit losses for certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The updated guidance also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 (first quarter of fiscal 2021 for us). Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance on hedging activities. The amendment better aligns an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 (first quarter of fiscal 2020 for us). We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance on reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated comprehensive income, which allows for a reclassification of stranded tax effects from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (first quarter of fiscal 2020 for us). We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, The FASB issued updated guidance modifying certain fair value measurement disclosures. The updated guidance contains additional disclosures to enable users of the financial statements to better understand the entity’s assumption used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements, but also eliminates the requirement for entities to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 investments within the fair value hierarchy. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 (first quarter of fiscal 2021 for us). Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

We recognized $90.0 million of revenue during fiscal 2019 that was included in contract liabilities as of September 30, 2018. The amount of revenue recognized from changes in transaction price associated with performance obligations satisfied in prior periods during fiscal 2019 was not material. The change in transaction price primarily relates to reimbursement of costs incurred in prior periods.

We recognize revenue from contracts primarily utilizing the cost-to-cost measure of progress method in order to estimate the progress towards completion and determine the amount of revenue and profit to recognize. Changes in those estimates could result in the recognition of cumulative catch-up adjustments to the contract’s inception-to-date revenue, costs and profit in the period in which such changes are made. As a result, we recognized net favorable operating income adjustments of $0.8 million for fiscal 2019, compared to net unfavorable operating income adjustments of $11.2 million for fiscal 2018. Changes in revenue and cost estimates could also result in a projected loss, determined at the contract level, which would be recorded immediately in earnings. As of September 29, 2019 and September 30, 2018, our consolidated balance sheets included liabilities for anticipated losses of $11.5 million and $13.6 million, respectively. The estimated cost to complete the related contracts as of September 29, 2019 was $15.2 million.

On October 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. We adopted the standard on a modified retrospective basis which results in no restatement of the comparative periods presented and a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the date of adoption. As part of our adoption, the new standard was applied only to those contracts that were not substantially completed as of the date of adoption.

To determine the proper revenue recognition method for contracts under ASC 606, we evaluate whether multiple contracts should be combined and accounted for as a single contract and whether the combined or single contract should be accounted for as having more than one performance obligation. The decision to combine a group of contracts or separate a combined or single contract into multiple performance obligations may impact the amount of revenue recorded in a given period. Contracts are considered to have a single performance obligation if the promises are not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts.

At contract inception, we assess the goods or services promised in a contract and identify, as a separate performance obligation, each distinct promise to transfer goods or services to the customer. The identified performance obligations represent the “unit of account” for purposes of determining revenue recognition. In order to properly identify separate performance obligations, we apply judgment in determining whether each good or service provided is: (a) capable of being distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer, and (b) distinct within the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.

Contracts are often modified to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. We consider contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new or changes the existing enforceable rights and obligations. Most of our contract modifications are for goods or services that are not distinct from existing contracts due to the significant integration provided or significant interdependencies in the context of the contract and are accounted for as if they were part of the original contract. The effect of a contract modification on the transaction price and our measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue (either as an increase in or a reduction of revenue) on a cumulative catch-up basis.

We account for contract modifications as a separate contract when the modification results in the promise to deliver additional goods or services that are distinct and the increase in price of the contract is for the same amount as the stand-alone selling price of the additional goods or services included in the modification.

The transaction price represents the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to our customers. The consideration promised within a contract may include fixed amounts, variable amounts, or both. The nature of our contracts gives rise to several types of variable consideration, including claims, award fee incentives, fiscal funding clauses, and liquidated damages. We recognize revenue for variable consideration when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized for the contract will not occur. We estimate the amount of revenue to be recognized on variable consideration using either the expected value or the most likely amount method, whichever is expected to better predict the amount of consideration to be received. Project mobilization costs are generally charged to project costs as incurred when they are an integrated part of the performance obligation being transferred to the client.

Claims are amounts in excess of agreed contract prices that we seek to collect from our clients or other third parties for delays, errors in specifications and designs, contract terminations, change orders in dispute or unapproved as to both scope and price, or other causes of unanticipated additional costs. Revenue on claims is recognized only to the extent that contract costs related to the claims have been incurred and when it is probable that any significant revenue recognized related to the claim will not be reversed. Factors considered in determining whether revenue associated with claims (including change orders in dispute and unapproved change orders in regard to both scope and price) should be recognized include the following: (a) the contract or other evidence provides a legal basis for the claim, (b) additional costs were caused by circumstances that were unforeseen at the contract date and not the result of deficiencies in our performance, (c) claim-related costs are identifiable and considered reasonable in view of the work performed, and (d) evidence supporting the claim is objective and verifiable. This can lead to a situation in which costs are recognized in one period and revenue is recognized in a subsequent period when a client agreement is obtained, or a claims resolution occurs. In some cases, contract retentions are withheld by clients until certain conditions are met or the project is completed, which may be several months or years. In these cases, we have not identified a significant financing component under ASC 606 as the timing difference in payment compared to delivery of obligations under the contract is not for purposes of financing.

For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation using a best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract. The standalone selling price is typically determined using the estimated cost of the contract plus a margin approach. For contracts containing variable consideration, we allocate the variability to a specific performance obligation within the contract if such variability relates specifically to our efforts to satisfy the performance obligation or transfer the distinct good or service, and the allocation depicts the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled.

We recognize revenue over time as the related performance obligation is satisfied by transferring control of a promised good or service to our customers. Progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation is primarily measured using a cost-to-cost measure of progress method. The cost input is based primarily on contract cost incurred to date compared to total estimated contract cost. This measure includes forecasts based on the best information available and reflects our judgment to faithfully depict the value of the services transferred to the customer. For certain on-call engineering or consulting and similar contracts, we recognize revenue in the amount which we have the right to invoice the customer if that amount corresponds directly with the value of our performance completed to date.

Due to uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, it is possible that estimates of costs to complete a performance obligation will be revised in the near-term. For those performance obligations for which revenue is recognized using a cost-to-cost measure of progress method, changes in total estimated costs, and related progress towards complete satisfaction of the performance obligation, are recognized on a cumulative catch-up basis in the period in which the revisions to the estimates are made. When the current estimate of total costs indicates a loss, a provision for the entire estimated loss on the contract is made in the period in which the loss becomes evident.

Contract Types

Our services are performed under three principal types of contracts: fixed-price, time-and-materials and cost-plus. Customer payments on contracts are typically due within 60 days of billing, depending on the contract.

Fixed-Price. Under fixed-price contracts, clients pay us an agreed fixed-amount negotiated in advance for a specified scope of work.

Time-and-Materials. Under time-and-materials contracts, we negotiate hourly billing rates and charge our clients based on the actual time that we spend on a project. In addition, clients reimburse us for our actual out-of-pocket costs for materials and other direct incidental expenditures that we incur in connection with our performance under the contract. Most of our time-and-material contracts are subject to maximum contract values, and may include annual billing rate adjustment provisions.

Cost-Plus. Under cost-plus contracts, we are reimbursed for allowed or otherwise defined costs incurred plus a negotiated fee. The contracts may also include incentives for various performance criteria, including quality, timeliness, ingenuity, safety and cost-effectiveness. In addition, our costs are generally subject to review by our clients and regulatory audit agencies, and such reviews could result in costs being disputed as non-reimbursable under the terms of the contract.     

Adoption

Upon adoption on October 1, 2018, under the modified retrospective method, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to decrease retained earnings by $2.8 million on October 1, 2018, as well as the following cumulative effect adjustments:

• A decrease to contract assets of $5.0 million

• A decrease to contract liabilities of $1.1 million

• An increase to deferred tax assets of $1.1 million

The decrease in retained earnings primarily resulted from a change in the way we determine the unit of account for projects (i.e. performance obligations). Under previous guidance, we typically accounted for a contract as a single unit of revenue recognition. Upon adoption of ASC 606, we assess the nature of the promises in the contract and recognize revenue based on performance obligations within the respective contract or combined contract.

Although RUPOs reflect business that is considered to be firm, cancellations, deferrals or scope adjustments may occur. RUPOs are adjusted to reflect any known project cancellations, revisions to project scope and cost, foreign currency exchange fluctuations and project deferrals, as appropriate. Our operations and maintenance contracts can generally be terminated by the clients without a substantive financial penalty. Therefore, the remaining performance obligations on such contracts are limited to the notice period required for the termination (usually 30, 60, or 90 days).

Our RUPOs represent a measure of the total dollar value of work to be performed on contracts awarded and in progress. We had $3.1 billion of RUPOs as of September 29, 2019. RUPOs increase with awards from new contracts or additions on existing contracts and decrease as work is performed and revenue is recognized on existing contracts. RUPOs may also decrease when projects are canceled or modified in scope. We include a contract within our RUPOs when the contract is awarded and an agreement on contract terms has been reached.

We invoice customers based on the contractual terms of each contract. However, the timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoice issuance.

As part of the adoption of ASC 606, contract assets have been bifurcated from billed and unbilled receivables. Contract assets represent revenue recognized in excess of the amounts for which we have the contractual right to bill our customers. Such amounts are recoverable from customers based upon various measures of performance, including achievement of certain milestones or completion of a contract. In addition, many of our time and materials arrangements are billed in arrears pursuant to contract terms that are standard within the industry, resulting in contract assets and/or unbilled receivables being recorded, as revenue is recognized in advance of billings.

Contract liabilities consist of billings in excess of revenue recognized. Contract liabilities decrease as we recognize revenue from the satisfaction of the related performance obligation and increase as billings in advance of revenue recognition occur. Contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. There were no substantial non-current contract assets or liabilities for the periods presented.