Vectrus consolidates companies in which it has a controlling financial interest. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Prior to September 27, 2014, all intercompany transactions between Vectrus and Exelis have been included in these Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements and were considered to be effectively settled for cash at the time the transaction was recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows as a financing activity.

Prior to September 27, 2014, our Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements included expenses of Exelis allocated to us for certain functions provided by Exelis, including, but not limited to, general corporate expenses related to finance, legal, information technology, human resources, communications, ethics and compliance, shared services, employee benefits and incentives, insurance and stock-based compensation. These expenses were allocated to us on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of revenue, headcount or other measures. We consider the basis on which the expenses had been allocated to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to, or the benefit received by, us during the periods presented. The allocations may not, however, reflect the expense we would have incurred as an independent, publicly traded company for the periods presented. Actual costs that may have been incurred if we had been a stand-alone company would depend on a number of factors, including the organization of our operations, what functions were outsourced or performed by employees and strategic decisions made in areas such as information technology and infrastructure. Following our Spin-off from Exelis, we perform these functions using our own resources or purchased services. For an interim period, however, some of these functions were provided by Exelis under a transition services agreement (See Note 15, "Agreements and Transactions with Former Parent").

Exelis used a centralized approach to cash management and financing of its operations. Prior to the Spin-off, the majority of our cash was transferred to Exelis daily and Exelis funded our operating and investing activities as needed. Cash transfers to and from the cash management accounts of Exelis are reflected in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows as “Transfer to Former Parent, net.”

The Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements also include the push down of certain assets and liabilities that were historically held at the Exelis corporate level but were specifically identifiable or otherwise allocable to us. The cash and cash equivalents held by Exelis at the corporate level, prior to the Spin-off, were not specifically identifiable to the Company and therefore were not allocated to us for any of the periods presented. Third-party debt and the related interest expense of Exelis were not allocated to us for any of the periods presented as we are not the legal obligor of the debt and the Exelis borrowings were not directly attributable to our business.

As a defense contractor engaging in long-term contracts, the majority of our revenue is derived from long-term service contracts for which revenue is recognized under the percentage-of-completion method based on levels of effort or percentage of costs incurred to total costs. For levels of effort, revenue and profits are recognized based upon the ratio of actual services delivered to estimated total services to be delivered under the contract. Under the cost-to-total cost method, revenue is recognized based upon the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs at completion. Revenue under cost-reimbursable contracts is recorded as costs are incurred and includes estimated earned fees or profits calculated on the basis of the relationship between costs incurred and total estimated costs. Revenue and profits on time-and-material type contracts are recognized based on billable rates multiplied by direct labor hours incurred plus material and other reimbursable costs incurred. The completed contract method is utilized when reasonable and reliable cost estimates for a project cannot be made. Amounts invoiced to customers in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue, until the revenue recognition criteria are satisfied, and are recorded as billings in excess of costs in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue that is earned and recognized in excess of amounts invoiced is recorded as a component of receivables.

During the performance of our long-term contracts, estimated final contract prices and costs are reviewed periodically and changes are made as required and recorded as changes in revenue and cost of revenue in the period in which they are determined. Additionally, the fees under certain contracts may be increased or decreased in accordance with cost or performance incentive provisions which measure actual performance against established targets or other criteria. Such incentive fee awards or penalties are included in revenue when there is sufficient information to reasonably assess anticipated contract performance. Amounts representing contract change orders, claims, requests for equitable adjustment, or limitations in funding on contracts are recorded only if it is probable the claim will result in additional contract revenue and the amounts can be reliably estimated.

Changes in contract revenue and cost estimates and the related effect to operating income are recognized using a cumulative catch-up adjustment, which recognizes in the current period the cumulative effect of the changes on current and prior periods based on a contract’s percentage of completion. Changes in estimated revenue and cost could result in a forward loss or an adjustment to a forward loss. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted long-term contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined and are recorded as a component of cost of revenue.

The financial statements of programs for which the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, are translated into U.S. dollars. Balance sheet accounts are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each period; income statement accounts are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Gains and losses on foreign currency translations are recorded as translation adjustments to other comprehensive (loss) income. Net gains or losses from foreign currency transactions are reported in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and have historically been immaterial.

Property, plant and equipment, net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Major improvements are capitalized at cost while expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor improvements are expensed. For asset sales or retirements, the assets and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operating income.

Long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate their carrying value may not be recoverable. We assess the recoverability of long-lived assets based on the undiscounted future cash flow the assets are expected to generate and recognize an impairment loss when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset. When an impairment is identified, we reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values.

We determine fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In measuring fair value, a fair value hierarchy is applied which categorizes and prioritizes the inputs used to estimate fair value into three levels. The fair value hierarchy is based on maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There are three levels of the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices (in nonactive markets or in active markets for similar assets or liabilities), inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities.

We record accruals for commitments and loss contingencies when they are probable of occurrence and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. In addition, legal fees are accrued for cases where a loss is probable and the related fees can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required to determine both probability and the estimated amount of loss. We review these accruals quarterly and adjust the accruals to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other updated information.

Derivative instruments are recognized as either an asset or liability at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are classified as current or long-term based on the scheduled maturity of the instrument. Our derivative instruments have been formally designated and qualify as part of a cash flow hedging relationship under applicable accounting standards.

The derivative instruments are adjusted to fair value through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). If we were to determine that a derivative was no longer highly effective as a hedge, we would discontinue the hedge accounting prospectively. Gains or losses would be immediately reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings relating to hedged forecasted transactions that are no longer probable of occurring. Gains or losses relating to terminations of effective cash flow hedges in which the forecasted transactions would still be probable of occurring would be deferred and recognized consistent with the income or loss recognition of the underlying hedged item.

Refer to Note 7, "Derivative Instruments" for additional information regarding our derivative activities.