Commitments and Contingencies
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 27, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
General
From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings that are incidental to the operation of our business. Some of these proceedings seek remedies relating to employment matters, matters in connection with our contracts and matters arising under laws relating to the protection of the environment. Additionally, U.S. government customers periodically advise the Company of claims and penalties concerning certain potential disallowed costs. When such findings are presented, Vectrus and the U.S. government representatives engage in discussions to enable Vectrus to evaluate the merits of these claims as well as to assess the amounts being claimed. Where appropriate, provisions are made to reflect probable losses related to the matters raised by the U.S. government representatives. Such assessments, along with any assessments regarding provisions for legal proceedings, are reviewed on a quarterly basis for sufficiency based on the most recent information available to us. We have estimated and accrued $12.0 million and $7.8 million as of September 27, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, in "Other accrued liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for legal proceedings and for claims with respect to our government contracts as discussed below, including open years subject to audit. Although the ultimate outcome of any legal matter or claim cannot be predicted with certainty, based on present information, including our assessment of the merits of the particular claim, we do not expect that any asserted or unasserted legal or contractual claims or proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, including the lawsuit discussed below, will have a material adverse effect on our cash flow, results of operations or financial condition.
U.S. Government Contracts, Investigations and Claims
We have U.S. government contracts that are funded incrementally on a year-to-year basis. Changes in government policies, priorities or funding levels through agency or program budget reductions by the U.S. Congress or executive agencies could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Furthermore, our contracts with the U.S. government may be terminated or suspended by the U.S. government at any time, with or without cause. Such contract suspensions or terminations could result in unreimbursable expenses or charges or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Departments and agencies of the U.S. government have the authority to investigate various transactions and operations of the Company, and the results of such investigations may lead to administrative, civil or criminal proceedings, the ultimate outcome of which could be fines, penalties, repayments or compensatory or treble damages. U.S. government regulations provide that certain findings against a contractor may lead to suspension or debarment from future U.S. government contracts or the loss of export privileges for a company or an operating division or subdivision. Suspension or debarment could have a material adverse effect on the Company because of its reliance on U.S. government contracts.
U.S. government agencies, including the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the Defense Contract Management Agency and others, routinely audit and review our performance on government contracts, indirect rates and pricing practices, and compliance with applicable contracting and procurement laws, regulations and standards. Accordingly, costs billed or billable to U.S. government customers are subject to potential adjustment upon audit by such agencies. The U.S. government agencies also review the adequacy of our compliance with government standards for our business systems, including our accounting, earned value management, estimating, materials management and accounting, purchasing, and property management systems.
As a result of final indirect rate negotiations between the U.S. government and our Former Parent, we may be subject to potential adjustments to costs previously allocated by our Former Parent to our business, which was formerly Exelis’ Mission Systems Business, from 2007 through September 2014. Because we do not participate in indirect rate negotiations between the U.S. government and our Former Parent, we cannot reasonably predict the likelihood of such adjustments or the ultimate responsible party. We have recently been in discussions with our Former Parent regarding the negotiated adjustments for 2007-2014 and believe that our potential cumulative liability for these years is insignificant. In June 2019, the U.S. government provided us with the Contracting Officer's Final Decision (COFD) for the years 2007 - 2010 related to Former Parent costs. In August 2019, we filed an appeal of the COFD with the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA). In October 2019, the ASBCA granted Vectrus’ and the U.S. government’s joint request to stay proceedings in the appeal through December 30, 2019 to enable ongoing discussions regarding the matter between Vectrus and our Former Parent. We believe we are fully indemnified under our Distribution Agreement with our Former Parent and have notified our Former Parent of our appeal of the U.S. government's decision in this matter.