KEYW HOLDING CORP - FORM 10-K

Attached files

file	filename
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - KEYW HOLDING CORP	exhibit32110k2017.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - KEYW HOLDING CORP	exhibit31210k2017cfocertif.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - KEYW HOLDING CORP	exhibit31110k2017ceocertif.htm
EX-23.2 - EXHIBIT 23.2 - KEYW HOLDING CORP	exhibit232consentofgrant10.htm
EX-23.1 - EXHIBIT 23.1 - KEYW HOLDING CORP	exhibit231consentofdeloitt.htm
EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - KEYW HOLDING CORP	exhibit211subsidiariesofth.htm
EX-10.36 - EXHIBIT 10.36 - KEYW HOLDING CORP	exhibit1036firstamendmento.htm
EX-10.35 - EXHIBIT 10.35 - KEYW HOLDING CORP	exhibit1035employmentagree.htm
EX-10.34 - EXHIBIT 10.34 - KEYW HOLDING CORP	exhibit1034employmentagree.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)



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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017



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

For the transition period from

Commission file number 001-34891

THE KEYW HOLDING CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Maryland		27-1594952
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

7740 Milestone Parkway, Suite 400, Hanover, Maryland 21076

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (443) 733-1600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share		NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

(Title of Each Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No ý

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý

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 ý No o

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

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



Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company o
	Emerging growth company o

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

The aggregate market value of the registrant's Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2017, was approximately $450.1 million.

There were 49,873,955 shares of our Common Stock ($0.001 par value), outstanding as of February 28, 2018.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III incorporates by reference information from certain portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.

A list of the Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules in this Report on Form 10-K begins on page 47.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

FORM 10-K

The KeyW Holding Corporation



Item No.		Page
PART I
—	Introductory Statement	1
1.	Business	1
1A.	Risk Factors	9
1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	26
2.	Properties	26
3.	Legal Proceedings	26
4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	26
PART II
5.	Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	27
6.	Selected Financial Data	30
7.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation	34
7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	42
8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	42
9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants and Financial Disclosure	42
9A.	Controls and Procedures	42
9B.	Other Information	45
PART III
10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	46
11.	Executive Compensation	46
12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	46
13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	46
14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	46
PART IV
15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	47

PART I

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT

The information contained in this Annual Report pertains to the registrant, The KeyW Holding Corporation (KeyW). References in this annual report to (KeyW), (the “Company), (Holdco), (we), (our) and (us) refer to the KeyW Holding Corporation and, unless the context otherwise requires, its subsidiaries. Holdco is a holding company and conducts its operations through The KeyW Corporation (Opco) and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The matters discussed in this Annual Report may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, activity levels, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, activity levels, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “could,” “expect,” “estimate,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “believe,” or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial position, or state other forward-looking information. There may be events in the future that we are not able to predict or control accurately, and numerous factors may cause events, our results of operations, financial performance, achievements, or industry performance to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The factors listed in the section captioned “Risk Factors,” contained in this Annual Report, as well as any cautionary language in this Annual Report, provide examples of such risks, uncertainties, and events.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Annual Report. Subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. While we may elect to update the forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so.


Item 1.	BUSINESS

GENERAL OVERVIEW

KeyW is a provider of advanced engineering and technology solutions to support the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of information across the full spectrum of the intelligence, cyber, and counterterrorism communities’ missions. Our solutions protect our nation and its allies and are designed to meet the critical needs of agile intelligence and U.S. Government national security priorities. Our core capabilities include advanced cyber operations and training; geospatial intelligence; cloud and data analytics; engineering; and intelligence analysis and operations. Other KeyW offerings include a suite of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) solutions deployed from an advanced sensor delivery platform, proprietary products-including electro-optical, hyperspectral, and synthetic aperture radar sensors-and other products that we manufacture and integrate with hardware and software to meet unique and evolving intelligence mission requirements.

KeyW’s solutions focus on Intelligence Community (IC) customers, including the National Security Agency (NSA), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and other agencies within the IC and Department of Defense (DoD). In addition, we provide products and services to U.S. federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; foreign governments; and other entities in the cyber and counterterrorism markets. KeyW’s acquisition of Sotera Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary Sotera Defense Solutions Inc., a Delaware corporation (Sotera), on April 4, 2017, added high-priority new customer agencies to KeyW’s existing IC portfolio, including Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) customers, and created additional opportunities to new areas of the DoD (e.g., Army Intelligence). We believe the combination of our advanced solutions; understanding of our customers’ mission; longstanding and successful customer relationships; operational capabilities; and highly skilled, cleared workforce will help expand our footprint in our core markets.

As of December 31, 2017, KeyW had 1,949 employees. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we derived 94% of our revenue from continuing operations is from U.S. Government customers, including 86% of revenues derived from the IC and special military customers, acting as both prime contractor and subcontractor. Most of our contracts provide for a total contract period of five years, with an initial contract period of one year and the balance in one-year period renewal options. Historically, contract renewal options are rarely not exercised.

For 2017, 2016 and 2015, our revenue from continuing operations reflecting KeyW and our acquisitions, from the date of acquisition, was $442 million, $288 million, and $298 million, respectively, based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Our 2017 revenue from continuing operations was derived from over 400 contracts (a combination of

prime contracts and subcontracts), the 10 largest of which accounted for approximately 43% of our 2017 actual revenue from continuing operations, with no individual contract accounting for greater than 11% of our 2017 revenue from continuing operations. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we derived approximately 3% of our revenue from continuing operations from international customers.

KeyW’s core capabilities address the missions of the IC, including the following:

Advanced Cyber Operations and Training: An integrated approach to solve offensive and defensive cyber operations challenges.


•	Offensive cyberspace operations that deliver capabilities through research and development, operations support, and intelligence analysis


•	Defensive cyberspace operations and training focused on capabilities development, secure mobile communication and software and hardware security engineering


•	Cyber mission training and exercises providing real-world training sessions to prepare for a wide range of cyber security challenges

Geospatial Intelligence: Advanced solutions for collecting, processing and disseminating geospatial intelligence.


•	Geospatial systems and analytics design and development to meet unique mission requirements


•	Airborne intelligence collections to meet remote-sensed data collection and processing needs


•	Ultra-high resolution imaging systems


•	Software-reconfigurable radar sensors that are readily adaptable to diverse missions and a wide range of aircraft and ground vehicles


•	Custom-built sensors tailored to meet the strictest technical and operational requirements

Cloud & Data Analytics: The most current approaches driven by advanced research and development.


•	Data discovery, transformation and analysis with a proven, adaptable approach


•	Data management and security solutions developed by data scientists who understand the complexities of handling and sharing sensitive data


•	Cloud infrastructure and engineering using Software as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) models to provide universal accessibility and improved manageability

Product Engineering: Solutions for some of the world's most unique and challenging missions.


•	Custom packaging and microelectronics with low- to medium-rate production for virtually any mission


•	Digital forensics providing unique digital evidence capture and triage devices designed for speed and simplicity

Intelligence Analysis and Operations: Solutions and support for classified missions, systems and facilities designed to collect, analyze, process and use products of various intelligence sources.


•	Signals Intelligence


•	Open Source Intelligence


•	Counterterrorism


•	Cyber threat analysis


•	Counterintelligence


•	Human terrain


•	All-source analysis


•	System Engineering analysis


•	Document and Media Exploitation


•	Imagery Intelligence

Software Development and Engineering: Solutions that design, develop, document, test, integrate, and implement custom software modules and capabilities focused on Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and intelligence-related applications. We have achieved a Capability Maturity Model Integration Level III rating certifying that we have implemented best practices associated with integrated product and process development and supplier sourcing in the following areas:


•	Real-time sensor control and fusion


•	Data integration and correlation


•	Communications management


•	Cross-domain solutions


•	Knowledge management


•	Automated navigation systems and decision support systems

Systems Engineering: Our technology development capabilities involve teams of research engineers seeking innovative approaches to complex and enduring national security problems. We lead customer-funded research and development efforts at government research laboratories in the following fields:


•	Electronics and acoustics


•	Electronic warfare


•	Radar


•	Optics


•	Chemistry


•	Plasma physics, among other areas

Information Technology Architecture: Solutions that develop and run mission-critical information technology systems and architectures. Our data fusion, cloud computing, and visual analytics expertise come together to provide unprecedented new capabilities for intelligence analysts.

Our Market Opportunity

KeyW solutions and products focus on serving IC customers including NSA, NGA, Defense Intelligence Agency, and other agencies within the IC and DoD. In addition, we provide products and services to U.S. federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, and foreign allies.

We believe that KeyW’s capabilities and offerings are well-aligned with national security priorities, and we have structured our strategic business development efforts to target these opportunities. The current Government Fiscal Year (GFY) 2018 budget requests approximately $14 billion in cybersecurity funding, and we believe that the total addressable DoD information technology, or IT, budget is approximately $42 billion for GFY 2018. Additionally, approximately $8.2 billion of the GFY 2018 budget request is earmarked for the DoD’s cyberspace operations, an increase of approximately $1 billion over GFY 2017. The increase is largely associated with anticipated growth in the DoD’s Cyber Mission Forces and other defensive and offensive cyberspace activities. The new budget request also calls for investing another $13.7 billion in science and technology for further innovation and new

and advanced capabilities, including capabilities in cyberspace, space, and artificial intelligence - many areas of KeyW’s technology initiative areas.

Intelligence

The IC consists of 17 agencies and organizations, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), within the Executive Branch that work both independently and collaboratively to gather and analyze the intelligence necessary to conduct foreign relations and national security activities. The rapid pace of technological innovation and evolution of the security threat environment-physical and digital-requires highly specialized service providers who can ensure the IC and DoD maintain their technology leadership position to serve the security interests of the United States (U.S.). To maintain superiority over adversaries, there is strong demand from the IC and DoD for cutting-edge technologies in areas such as signal processing and cyber and intelligence analysis and operations.

The IC represents an approximately $78.4 billion addressable market in GFY 2018. The intelligence budget is divided between the National Intelligence Program (NIP), managed by the ODNI, and the Military Intelligence Program, managed by the Secretary of Defense. The NIP, which supports agencies such as the National Reconnaissance Office, the NSA, and the Central Intelligence Agency, represented an approximately $57.7 billion annual budget in GFY 2018 and has grown at a compounded annual rate of approximately 3% since 2006, despite significant government budgetary pressures. The positive budgetary trends are driven by the need to produce actionable intelligence to combat the evolving asymmetric and widely distributed threat landscape. Growth is expected to continue, driven by the extreme demands on legacy, non-standardized infrastructure and emergence of new technologies to collect, transport and store, analyze, and operate an increasing amount of data.

Funding areas of the NIP focus on maintaining technological advancement and superiority in the following areas:


•	Sustaining key investments to strengthen intelligence collection and critical operational capabilities supporting counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and counterproliferation;


•	Protecting the IC’s core mission areas and maintaining global coverage to remain vigilant against emerging threats;


•	Promoting increased intelligence sharing and advancing IC integration through continued investment in enterprise-wide capabilities and use of cloud technology to facilitate greater efficiency and improve the safeguarding of information across the intelligence information environment; and


•	Identifying resources for strategic priorities, including advanced technology to improve strategic warning, evolved collection and exploitation capabilities, and increased resiliency.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is receiving increased attention and budget funding at a time when there are widespread and effective threats that demonstrate the vulnerability of U.S. public and private data and communications networks. Recent headlines highlighting high-profile cases of unauthorized access, digital espionage, identity theft, malicious code, and other cyber-crimes in both public and private sectors have reinforced the need for a more robust cyber-security infrastructure. An increase in hacking attacks on key national security infrastructure systems, such as the DoD computer system, has heightened the need for improved threat protection. Additionally, the expansion of anti-terrorism efforts to cyberspace highlights the need for improved global cyber coordination and security measures.

An Evolving Complex Global Security

The complex global security environment challenges the focus of the IC, DoD, and DHS toward utilizing technology-centric weapons and strategies, data mining and analysis. The 2018 U.S. National Defense Strategy highlights the need for a joint force prioritized mission and underscores related initiatives as key investment priorities for the foreseeable future.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe the following competitive strengths will allow us to take advantage of the trends in our industry:

Ability to develop, field, and operate end-to-end intelligence solutions. Through a combination of acquisitions and organic technology development, KeyW has assembled a collection of capabilities that when combined, are capable of supporting our customers' end-to-end intelligence mission in the airborne, ground and cyber domains. We intend to leverage these customer-

proven capabilities to extend our market penetration to other organizations and agencies, foreign and domestic, and to drive organic growth.

Focus on core cyber superiority, geospatial intelligence and intelligence strengths. We focus on delivering cyber superiority, geospatial intelligence and intelligence support to the IC. We deliver a full range of cyber engineering services and solutions, geospatial intelligence services and solutions and cyber intelligence products. Mastering cyberspace and thereby attaining cyber superiority is a core mission of the IC. We believe that our focus gives our customers faster and more innovative solutions than those offered by our competitors.

Agile intelligence, cybersecurity and cyber age operations expertise. We have significant experience in building signal and information processing solutions and, cybersecurity, cyber superiority, and geospatial intelligence solutions, using agile methodologies for the IC to support mission-critical activities and responses to complex national security problems. Our team has established a strong reputation for responding rapidly to customer requirements and for partnering with our customers to identify and define these requirements. The constant and evolving threat environment has put enormous pressure on the IC to respond quickly. We believe that we have a culture of innovation and agility that allows us to respond more quickly and with greater impact than other organizations.

Skilled employees with high-level security clearances. As of December 31, 2017, we had 1,949 employees. Approximately 86% of our employees have U.S. Government security clearances, with approximately 76% holding top secret or higher clearance. This concentration of highly skilled and cleared personnel allows us to respond quickly to customer requirements and gives us ongoing insight into our customers’ toughest national security problems. The requirement for these clearances and the time and process required to attain them are significant barriers to entering this market.

ISR sensor development and, rapid deployment and sustainment of airborne collection platforms. Our highly customized, integrated airborne collection solutions are lower cost than traditional ISR platforms and complemented by complete flight services and ongoing sustainment and logistics support of the collection platforms. We rapidly deploy solutions tailored to meet the most urgent requirements for ISR imagery in support of tactical missions and rapid mapping of large areas in some of the world's most challenging locations, thus placing us at the center of the need for actionable intelligence.

Our Strategy

Our objective is to continue growing our business by providing affordable, advanced engineering and technology solutions for complex challenges such as preventing cyber threats, transforming data into intelligence and combating global terrorism, selling our proven capabilities and innovations to government intelligence, defense, and other federal, state, and local government customers. Key elements of our strategy to accomplish our continued growth objective include:

Leveraging IC experience in certain agencies to address new growth markets in the intelligence, cyber, and counterterrorism communities. KeyW now serves the majority of the agencies in the IC. A key growth strategy is to leverage the unique capabilities we have developed in our core customers to expand into the agencies where KeyW does not have a significant presence. We believe the capabilities we have developed for current customers will be attractive to other members of the IC, enabling a significant growth opportunity for KeyW. To expand our IC presence, we have invested in building a best-in-class business development team with a proven capability of penetrating new customer agencies and winning large new prime contracts.

Building and leveraging our research and development efforts. We intend to continue utilizing company and customer-funded research and development to develop technologies, products, and solutions that have significant potential for near-term as well as long-term value in the markets we serve. We will continue to use intellectual property that we create internally or license from other companies in the areas of network traffic intelligence, cybersecurity, cyber intelligence and geospatial intelligence to build products and solutions to further penetrate the intelligence and defense market.

Competition

We sell our services and products primarily to the intelligence, cyber, space, and counter terrorism communities. The level of security clearances required for this work limits the range of competitors for customers in these communities. In addition, the number of competitors is limited even further by the level of technical expertise required to deliver products and services to our government customers. We compete either as prime contractor or as a subcontractor, depending on the requirements and scope of the project.

Our competitors include both large companies that offer a broad range of services and capabilities and smaller boutique organizations that are highly focused on particular capabilities, solutions, and customers. Our larger competitors include divisions of large defense

contractors such as Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company and Northrop Grumman Corporation. We also face competition from a number of large, well-established government contractors such as Leidos Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton Corporation, CACI International Inc., and others. The smaller competitors are generally privately held corporations with strong capabilities in delivering specific elements of a solution for a narrow range of customers. See “Risk Factors” for a description of the various risks we may face from our competitors.

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing capabilities support modest volume product manufacturing consistent with our customers' needs for products that evolve rapidly and on a regular basis. We use a combination of in-house resources and contract manufacturing support provided by third parties. We believe that this approach to our manufacturing needs allows us to carefully manage capital investment while maintaining our ability to meet surges in the volume of customer requirements.

Research and Development

Innovation is an important part of our business model. We look for opportunities to create long-term growth, on a sole-source basis, by leveraging our in-depth knowledge of our customers’ missions and needs, and our ability to use Internal Research and Development (IR&D). Our product and solutions business has evolved through a combination of customer development and IR&D. We frequently develop a core capability or technology and then customize this capability or technology to meet specific customer requirements.

Our Research and Development (R&D) consists of IR&D that is an allowable expense under U.S. Government contracts and R&D that is performed at our expense. Spending on R&D activities may vary, depending on the opportunities that we see and customer requirements. R&D costs totaled $3.7 million, $4.6 million and $3.4 million for years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As a percent of revenue R&D was 0.8%, 1.6% and 1.2% for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Intellectual Property

We own eight patents and have three pending patent applications. We have 13 federally registered trademarks, two pending federal trademark registration applications, and six registered copyrights. As we develop intellectual property, we determine, with the support of outside patent counsel, the best manner to protect it, whether through patent, through copyright, or as a trade secret. When we acquire companies that have developed intellectual property and have patents pending, we determine, with the support of outside patent counsel, whether we need to continue pursuing the pending patent applications. With regard to several of our products, we have developed intellectual property that we are protecting as trade secrets. We have made this determination based on the costs and risks involved, as well as the pace at which changes are being made to the products. As we build our solutions and products, we also make use of third-party intellectual property for which we purchase licenses, as necessary. We integrate technology, including hardware and software, based on designs and architectures that we develop with our customers.

Regulatory Matters

We must comply with laws and regulations relating to the formation, administration, and performance of U.S. Government contracts. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which mandates uniform policies and procedures for U.S. Government acquisitions and purchased services, governs the majority of our contracts. Individual agencies also have acquisition regulations that provide implementing language for the FAR or that supplement the FAR.

Other federal regulations require certification and disclosure of cost or pricing data in connection with contract negotiations for certain types of contracts; define allowable and unallowable costs; govern reimbursement rights under cost-based contracts; and restrict the use, dissemination, and exportation of products and information classified for national security purposes.

A substantial portion of the Company’s revenue and costs is subject to audit by the U.S. Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Billings under government contracts are based on provisional rates that permit recovery of allowable overhead, and general and administrative expenses not exceeding certain limits. These rates are subject to review by the government on an annual basis. When final determination and approval of the allowable rates have been made, billings may be adjusted. Incurred cost audits through December 31, 2013, have been completed without material adjustment to proposed costs.

Our federal government business is also subject to laws, regulations, and executive orders restricting the use and dissemination of classified information and, under U.S. export control laws, the export of certain products and technical data.

Additionally, federal government contracts, by their terms, generally can be terminated at any time by the federal government, without cause, for the convenience of the federal government. If a federal government contract is so terminated, we would be entitled to receive compensation for the services provided and costs incurred through the time of termination, plus settlement expenses and a negotiated amount of profit. Federal government contractors who fail to comply with applicable U.S. Government

procurement-related statutes and regulations may be subject to potential contract termination, suspension and debarment from contracting with the U.S. Government, or other remedies. See “Risk Factors” for a description of the various risks we may face regarding laws and regulations relating to U.S. Government contracts.

U.S. Federal Government Contracts

We derive substantially all our revenue from U.S. Government customers. In fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015, we generated approximately 94%, 94% and 94%, respectively, of our total revenue from contracts where the end customer was the U.S. Government, which has a highly structured and regulated competitive procurement process. Our intelligence and defense customers typically exercise independent contracting authority and do not use General Services Administration (GSA) or other government-wide acquisition contracts to obtain our services or products.

Subcontracts accounted for approximately 36% of our revenue in 2017, and prime contracts accounted for 64%. In 2016 subcontracts accounted for approximately 46% of our revenue and prime contracts accounted for approximately 54% of our revenue. Our prime contracts have been awarded as both sole-source and competitive awards; our subcontracts have been awarded competitively from prime contractors.

Sole-source award contracts

Under a sole-source award contract, the purchase of goods or services is made from a single source without competitive bidding. It is awarded usually, but not always, by a federal government agency after soliciting and negotiating with only one firm. These contracts can be negotiated much more quickly than a typical competitive contract, providing there is adequate demonstration of both need and the likelihood that any attempt to obtain bids would only result in one person or company able to meet the need. Urgency is often the rationale for sole-source contracts. Sole-source contracts may be awarded based on a variety of different compensation models, including firm-fixed price (FFP), time-and-materials (T&M), cost-plus-fixed-fee, or level-of-effort contracts based on negotiations, risk, and cost uncertainty.

Single award contracts

Under single award contracts with defined statements of work, a federal government agency solicits, qualifies, and then requests proposals from interested contractors. The agency then evaluates the bids and typically awards the contract to a single contractor for a specified service or product.

Multiple award contracts

Under indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contracts, a federal government agency can form preferred provider relationships with one or more contractors. This category includes agency-specific ID/IQ contracts; blanket purchase agreements; government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs); and GSA schedule contracts. These umbrella contracts, often referred to as vehicles, outline the basic terms and conditions under which federal government agencies may order services. ID/IQ contracts are typically managed by one sponsoring agency, and they may be either for the use of a specific agency or available for use by any other agency of the federal government. ID/IQ contracts available for use by any agency of the federal government are commonly referred to as GWACs.

Contractors within the industry compete to be pre-selected to perform work under an ID/IQ contract. An ordering agency then issues delivery orders, commonly known as task orders, for services to be performed under the contract. If the ID/IQ contract has a single prime contractor, only that contractor may be awarded delivery orders. If the contract has multiple prime contractors, the award of each delivery order typically will be competitively determined among the pre-selected contractors.

GSA schedules are listings of services and products, along with their respective prices, offered by federal government contractors. The schedules are negotiated and maintained by the GSA for use by any federal agency or other authorized entity, including state and local governments. When an agency selects services or products under a GSA schedule contract, the competitive process is limited to qualified GSA schedule contractors.

Contract types

We generate revenue under various types of contracts, which include T&M, fixed-price-level-of-effort, FFP, and cost reimbursable contracts. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we derived revenue from such contracts on an actual basis as follows:



	Year ended December 31, 2017

Contract Type	(in millions)		(percentage)
Time & Materials	$	113.2	25.6	%
Fixed-Price-Level-of-Effort	54.6		12.4	%
Firm-Fixed-Price	102.1		23.1	%
Cost Reimbursement	171.7		38.9	%



	Year ended December 31, 2016

Contract Type	(in millions)		(percentage)
Time & Materials	$	55.6	19.3	%
Fixed-Price-Level-of-Effort	59.2		20.6	%
Firm-Fixed-Price	80.7		28.0	%
Cost Reimbursement	92.5		32.1	%



	Year ended December 31, 2015

Contract Type	(in millions)		(percentage)
Time & Materials	$	67.7	22.7	%
Fixed-Price-Level-of-Effort	64.3		21.6	%
Firm-Fixed-Price	79.5		26.7	%
Cost Reimbursement	86.4		29.0	%

Time-and-materials contracts. Under a T&M contract, we are paid a fixed hourly rate for each direct labor hour expended and we are reimbursed for allowable material costs and out-of-pocket expenses. To the extent our actual direct labor and associated costs vary in relation to the fixed hourly billing rates among various labor categories provided in the contract, we will generate profit or we could incur a loss.

Fixed-price-level-of-effort contracts. Fixed-price-level-of-effort contracts are substantially like T&M contracts except that they require a specified level of effort over a stated period of time.

Firm-fixed-price contracts. FFP contracts provide for a fixed price for specified products, systems and/or services. If actual costs vary from planned costs on an FFP contract, we generate more or less than the planned amount of profit and may even incur a loss.

Cost reimbursable contracts. Cost reimbursable contracts provide for reimbursement of our direct contract costs and allowable and allocable indirect costs, plus a fee.

Backlog

We define backlog to include both funded and unfunded orders for products and services under existing signed contracts, assuming the exercise of all options relating to those contracts, less the amount of revenue we have previously recognized under those contracts. We define funded backlog as the portion of backlog for which funding currently is appropriated and obligated to us under a contract or other authorization for payment signed by an authorized purchasing authority. Unfunded backlog includes all contract options exercised and unexercised that have been priced but not funded.

As of December 31, 2017, our total backlog was $1,189 million, of which $138 million was funded and $1,051 million was unfunded. As of December 31, 2016, our total backlog was $716 million, of which $174 million was funded and $542 million was unfunded.

Total backlog may fluctuate from period to period depending on our success rate in winning contracts and the timing of contract awards, renewals, modifications and cancellations. We expect to recognize a substantial portion of our funded backlog as revenue within the next 12 months. However, the U.S. Government may terminate any contract at any time.

Customers

We derive substantially all of our revenue from continuing operations from contracts with U.S. Government agencies involved with national security missions. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our revenue from continuing operations was derived 33% from contracts with the NSA; 17% from contracts with the U.S. Army; 28% from contracts with other elements of the DoD excluding the NSA and the U.S. Army, none of these elements of the DoD individually were greater than 10% of our 2017 revenue from continuing operations; 11% from contracts with the FBI; 6% from work for other major intelligence agencies and other intelligence, defense, homeland security and other U.S. Government agencies and law enforcement organizations and 5% from commercial and international customers.

Long-term relationships between intelligence customers and contractors develop because of the high level of security clearances required to work on projects and unique technical requirements of intelligence customers. For example, members of our team have been working closely with the NSA for over 30 years, during which time they have completed numerous projects with the NSA.

2017 Developments

During 2017, we continued to establish the Company as a viable and competitive entity within our target markets in part by growing our prime contract base. On April 4, 2017, we acquired Sotera to diversify our portfolio and provide new and enhanced access to agencies within the IC and DoD. Sotera adds high-priority new customer agencies to KeyW’s existing IC portfolio, including highly sought-after FBI and DHS customers, and created additional inroads to new areas of the DoD (e.g., Army Intelligence). Sotera adds significant scale, helping to create a unique, IC-focused provider. Sotera adds complementary capabilities to our existing suite in agile software and solution development, cyber security and data analytics. In addition, the combined company offers customers advanced emerging technologies focused on machine learning and big data solutions. Sotera adds access to a large portfolio of prime contracts and ID/IQ vehicles, which expands our overall presence in the IC and DoD. The combined contract portfolio provides the opportunity to sell both KeyW and Sotera capabilities to new and existing customers, serving as a platform intended to drive future growth.

Corporate Information

We are a holding company and conduct our operations through The KeyW Corporation and its subsidiaries. We were incorporated in Maryland in December 2009. The KeyW Corporation was incorporated in Maryland in May 2008 and became our wholly-owned subsidiary in December 2009 as part of a corporate restructuring.

The address of our principal executive office is 7740 Milestone Parkway, Suite 400, Hanover, Maryland 21076 and our general telephone number is (443) 773-1600. Our web site address is www.keywcorp.com. We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information on, or accessed through, our web site is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.


Item 1A.	RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risks and all other information contained in this annual report, including our financial statements and the related notes, before investing in our common stock. If any of the following risks materialize, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose some or all of your investment.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our common stock, you should carefully consider the following risks as well as all other information contained in this Annual Report.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We currently rely on sales to the U.S. Government for substantially all of our revenue. If our relationships with U.S. Government agencies were harmed, our business, future revenue and growth prospects would be adversely affected.

We derive substantially all of our revenue from our U.S. Government customers. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, we generated 94%, 94% and 94%, respectively, of our total revenue from contracts with the U.S. Government, either as a prime contractor or a subcontractor. We expect that U.S. Government contracts will continue to be the primary source of our revenue for the foreseeable future. Our reputation and relationship with the U.S. Government, and in particular with the agencies of the U.S. IC and the DoD, are key factors in maintaining and growing our revenue. For example, in 2017, on a GAAP basis, 33% from contracts with the NSA; 17% from contracts with the U.S. Army; 28% from contracts with other elements of the DoD excluding the NSA and the U.S. Army, none of these elements of the DoD individually were greater than 10% of our 2017 revenue from continuing operations; 11% from contracts with the FBI; 6% from work for other major intelligence agencies and other intelligence, defense, homeland security and other U.S. Government agencies and law enforcement organizations and 5% from commercial and international customers.

Our business, prospects, financial condition and/or operating results would be materially harmed if:


•	we were to lose, or there were to occur a significant reduction in, U.S. Government funding of one or more programs for which we are the prime contractor or in which we participate;


•	we were suspended or debarred from contracting with the U.S. Government; or


•	our reputation, relationships, or the reputations or relationships of our senior managers with the U.S. Government agencies with which we currently do business or seek to do business is impaired.

A decline in U.S. Government spending and mission priorities may adversely affect our future revenue and limit our growth prospects.

Continued U.S. Government expenditures on intelligence, defense and other programs for which we provide support are critically important for our business. While spending authorizations for intelligence and defense-related programs by the government have increased in recent years due to greater homeland security and foreign military commitments, and to a general outsourcing trend, these spending levels may not be sustainable and could significantly decline. Future levels of expenditures, authorizations, and appropriations for programs we support may decrease or shift to programs in areas where we do not currently provide services, or contract opportunities may be in-sourced to be performed by U.S. Government employees. Changes in spending authorizations, appropriations, and budgetary priorities could also occur due to a shift in the number, and intensity, of potential and ongoing conflicts, the rapid growth of the federal budget deficit, increasing political pressure to reduce overall levels of government spending, shifts in spending priorities from intelligence and defense-related programs as a result of competing demands for federal funds, or other factors. Our business prospects, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed among other causes by the following:


•	budgetary constraints affecting U.S. Government spending generally, or specific departments or agencies in particular, and changes in available funding, such as federal government sequestration (automatic spending cuts);


•	changes in U.S. Government programs or requirements; and


•	a prolonged U.S. Government shutdown (such as that which occurred during the government's 2014 fiscal year) and other potential delays in the appropriations process.

These or other factors could cause U.S. Government agencies and departments to reduce their purchases under contracts, exercise their right to terminate contracts, or not exercise options to renew contracts, any of which could cause us to lose revenue. A significant decline in overall U.S. Government spending, or a shift in expenditures away from agencies or programs that we support, could cause a material decline in our revenue.

We depend on U.S. Government contract awards that are only partially funded and which depend upon annual budget appropriations. A delay in the completion of the U.S. Government's budget process or the impact of sequestration (automatic spending cuts) could delay procurement of the services and solutions we provide and have an adverse effect on our future revenue.

Budget decisions made by the U.S. Government are outside of our control and could have significant consequences for our business. Funding for U.S. Government contract awards is subject to Congressional appropriations. Although multi-year awards may be planned or authorized in connection with major procurements, Congress generally appropriates funds on a fiscal year basis even

though a program may be expected to continue for several years. Consequently, awards often initially receive only partial funding, and additional funds are committed only as Congress makes further appropriations. In some circumstances, we may elect to continue working on a contract that is awaiting additional incremental funding, because we expect the funding to be forthcoming soon, but this may place us at risk of not being paid if additional funding is not subsequently added to the contract. The termination of funding for any of our U.S. Government prime contracts or subcontracts could result in a loss of anticipated future revenue attributable to that program and a reduction in our cash flows and could have an adverse impact on our operating results.

In years when the U.S. Government does not complete its budget process before the end of its fiscal year on September 30, government operations are typically funded pursuant to a “continuing resolution” that authorizes agencies of the U.S. Government to continue to operate, but does not authorize new spending initiatives. When the U.S. Government operates under a continuing resolution, delays can occur in the procurement of the services and solutions that we provide. When supplemental budgets are required to operate the U.S. Government and passage of legislation needed to approve any supplemental budget is delayed, the overall funding environment for our business could be adversely affected.

If Congress does not agree on a budget or continuing resolution, it may result in a partial shutdown of the U.S. Government or sequestration and cause the termination or suspension of our contracts with the U.S. Government or automatic cuts to the U.S. defense or intelligence budget, which could impact some or all of our contracts. Under such circumstances, we could be required to furlough affected employees for an indefinite time, terminate or suspend subcontracts, or incur contract wind-down costs. It is uncertain if we would be compensated or reimbursed for any loss of revenue during such periods. If we were not compensated or reimbursed, it could result in significant adverse effects on our revenues, operating costs and cash flows.

The U.S. Government may modify, curtail or terminate our contracts at any time prior to their completion and, if we do not replace them, we may be unable to sustain our revenue growth and may suffer a decline in revenue.

Many of the U.S. Government programs in which we participate as a contractor or subcontractor may extend for several years. These programs are normally funded on an incremental basis. Under our contracts, the U.S. Government generally has the right not to exercise options to extend or expand our contracts and may modify, curtail or terminate the contracts and subcontracts at its convenience.

If the U.S. Government terminates a contract for convenience, we may recover only our reasonably incurred or committed allowable costs, settlement expenses and profit on work completed prior to the termination. We cannot recover anticipated future profits on terminated work. If the U.S. Government terminates a contract for default, we may not recover each of those types of costs, and instead may be liable for excess costs incurred by the U.S. Government in procuring undelivered items and services from another source.

Any decision by the U.S. Government not to exercise contract options or to modify, curtail or terminate our major programs or contracts would adversely affect our revenue and revenue growth.

Our business could be adversely affected by delays caused by our competitors protesting major contract awards received by us, resulting in the delay of the initiation of work.

The number of bid protests of contract awards by unsuccessful bidders is increasing and the U.S. Government is taking longer to resolve such protests. Bid protests may result in an increase in expenses related to obtaining contract awards or an unfavorable modification or loss of an award. In the event a bid protest is unsuccessful, the resulting delay in the startup and funding of the work under these contracts may cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.

We may not realize as revenue the full amounts reflected in our backlog, which could adversely affect our future revenue and growth prospects.

As of December 31, 2017, our total backlog was $1,189 million, which included $1,051 million in unfunded backlog. As of December 31, 2016, our total backlog was $716 million, which included $542 million in unfunded backlog. The U.S. Government's ability not to exercise contract options or to modify, curtail or terminate our major programs or contracts makes the calculation of backlog subject to numerous uncertainties. Due to the uncertain nature of our contracts with the U.S. Government, we may never realize revenue from some of the engagements that are included in our backlog. Our unfunded backlog, in particular, contains amounts that we may never realize as revenue because the maximum contract value specified under a U.S. Government contract or task order awarded to us is not necessarily indicative of the revenue that we will realize under that contract. If we fail to realize revenue amounts included in our backlog, our future revenue and growth prospects may be adversely affected. For additional information on our backlog, see “Business — U.S. Federal Government Contracts — Backlog.”

If we fail to comply with complex procurement laws and regulations, we could lose business and be liable for various penalties or sanctions.

We must comply with laws and regulations relating to the formation, administration and performance of federal government contracts. These laws and regulations affect how we conduct business with our federal government customers. In complying with these laws and regulations, we may incur significant costs, and the U.S. Government may impose additional fines and penalties, including contractual damages, in the event of our non-compliance. Among the more significant laws and regulations affecting our business are the following:


•	the FAR, which comprehensively regulates the formation, administration and performance of federal government contracts;


•	the Truth in Negotiations Act, which requires certification and disclosure of all cost and pricing data in connection with cost-type contracts;


•	the Cost Accounting Standards and Cost Principles, which impose accounting requirements that govern our right to reimbursement under certain cost-based federal government contracts; and


•	laws, regulations and executive orders restricting the use and dissemination of classified information and, under U.S. export control laws, the export of certain products and technical data.

Our contracting agency customers periodically review our performance under and compliance with the terms of our federal government contracts. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations or if a government review or investigation uncovers improper or illegal activities, we may be subject to civil or criminal penalties or administrative sanctions, including:


•	termination of contracts;


•	forfeiture of profits;


•	cost associated with triggering of price reduction clauses;


•	suspension of payments;


•	fines; and


•	suspension or debarment from doing business with the U.S. Government.

Additionally, the False Claims Act provides for potentially substantial civil and criminal penalties where, for example, a contractor presents a false or fraudulent claim to the U.S. Government for payment or approval. Actions under the False Claims Act may be brought by the U.S. Government or by other persons on behalf of the U.S. Government (who may then share a portion of any recovery).

Because the majority of all of our revenue is dependent on our selection, performance and payment under our U.S. Government contracts, the loss of one or more large contracts or any suspension or debarment from doing business with U.S. Government agencies would result in a loss of anticipated future revenue from U.S. Government contracts and a reduction in cash flows and would have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

U.S. Government contracts contain other provisions that may be unfavorable to contractors.

Beyond the right to terminate a contract for convenience or decline to exercise an option to renew, U.S. Government contracts contain provisions and are subject to laws and regulations that give the U.S. Government rights and remedies not typically found in commercial contracts. These provisions, laws and regulations permit the U.S. Government to do (among other things) the following:


•	reduce or modify contracts or subcontracts;


•	cancel multi-year contracts and related orders if funds for contract performance for any subsequent year become unavailable;


•	claim certain rights (including, under certain circumstances, certain intellectual property rights) in products and systems produced by us; and


•	suspend or debar us from doing business with the U.S. Government.

If the U.S. Government exercises its rights under any of these provisions, our ability to operate or our competitive advantage could be hindered, and our revenue and net income could decline and our operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Further, U.S. Government contracts and certain laws and regulations, including without limitation, the International Traffic in Arms regulations and laws and contract restrictions relating to classified information, and contain provisions that may restrict our ability to provide our products and services to third parties. These restrictions may prevent us from leveraging our products, services, intellectual property, know-how or other revenue-generating aspects of our business or our acquisitions to the fullest extent in the commercial sector and/or foreign markets and customers.

The U.S. Government may revise its procurement or other practices in a manner adverse to us.

The U.S. Government may revise its procurement practices or adopt new contracting rules and regulations, such as cost accounting standards. It could also adopt new contracting methods relating to GSA contracts, or other GWACs, or adopt new standards for contract awards intended to achieve certain social or other policy objectives. In addition, the U.S. Government may face restrictions from new legislation or regulations, as well as pressure from U.S. Government employees and their unions, on the nature and amount of services the U.S. Government may obtain from private contractors. These changes could impair our ability to obtain new contracts or to continue to retain contracts under which we currently perform when and if those contracts are put up for renewed competitive bidding. Any new contracting methods could be costly or administratively difficult for us to implement, and, as a result, could harm our operating results.

Audits by U.S. Government agencies could result in unfavorable audit results that could subject us to a variety of penalties and sanctions, and could harm our reputation and relationships with our customers and negatively impact cash flows.

U.S. Government agencies, including the DCAA and others, routinely audit and review contractors' performance on contracts, cost structure, pricing practices and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards. They also review the adequacy of, and a contractor's compliance with, its internal control systems and policies, including the contractor's accounting, billing, cost, purchasing, property, estimating, compensation, management information system and other systems. Any costs found to be improperly allocated to a specific contract will not be reimbursed, while such costs already reimbursed must be refunded. Adverse findings in a DCAA audit could materially affect our competitive position and result in a substantial adjustment to our revenue and net income.

If a U.S. Government audit uncovers improper or illegal activities, we may be subject to civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, including termination of contracts, forfeiture of net income, suspension of payments, fines and suspension or debarment from doing business with U.S. Government agencies. In addition, we could suffer serious harm to our reputation and competitive position if allegations of impropriety were made against us, whether true or not. If our reputation or relationship with U.S. Government agencies were impaired, or if the U.S. Government otherwise ceased doing business with us or significantly decreased the amount of business it does with us, our revenue and net income would decline and our operating results could be materially adversely affected.

A significant portion of our revenue and net income is derived from a few key programs. The loss of any one or more of these programs could cause a material decline in our operating results.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, and the year ended December 31, 2016, our 10 largest programs accounted for a total of $190 million and $156 million, respectively, or 43% and 54% of our total revenue, respectively. Although we have been successful in continuing work on most of our large programs in the past, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so in the future. The revenue stream from one or more of these programs could end for a number of reasons, including the completion of the customer's requirements, the completion or early termination of our current program, the consolidation of our work into another program under which we are not a contractor, or the loss of a competitive bid for the follow-on work related to our current program. If any of these events were to occur, we could experience an unexpected, significant reduction in revenue and net income.

We derive significant revenue from contracts awarded through a competitive bidding process involving substantial costs and risks. Due to this competitive pressure, we may be unable to sustain our revenue growth and profitability.

We expect a significant portion of the business that we will seek in the foreseeable future will be awarded through competitive bidding. The competitive bidding process involves substantial costs and a number of risks, including the significant cost and managerial time to prepare bids and proposals for contracts that may not be awarded to us and our failure to accurately estimate the resources and costs that will be required to fulfill any contract we win. In addition, following a contract award, we may encounter significant expense, delay or contract modifications as a result of our competitors protesting or challenging contracts awarded to us in competitive bidding. In addition, multi-award contracts require that we make sustained post-award efforts to obtain task orders under the contract. We may not be able to obtain task orders or recognize revenue under these multi-award contracts. Our failure to compete effectively in this procurement environment would adversely affect our revenue and/or profitability.

Our overseas operations involve considerable risks and hazards. An accident or incident involving our employees or third parties could harm our reputation, affect our ability to compete for business, and if not adequately insured or indemnified, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We are exposed to liabilities that arise from some of the services we provide. Such liabilities may relate to an accident or incident involving our employees or third parties, particularly where we are deployed on-site at active military installations in locations experiencing political or civil unrest, or they may relate to an accident or incident involving aircraft or other equipment we have serviced or used in the course of our business. Any of these types of accidents or incidents could involve significant potential claims of injured employees and other third parties and claims relating to loss or of damage to government or third-party property.

We maintain insurance policies that mitigate risk and potential liabilities related to our operations. Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover those claims or liabilities, and we may be forced to bear substantial costs from an accident or incident. Substantial claims in excess of our related insurance coverage could adversely affect our operating performance and may result in additional expenses and possible loss of revenue.

Furthermore, any accident or incident for which we are liable, even if fully insured, may result in negative publicity which could adversely affect our reputation among our customers, including our U.S. Government customers, and the public, which could result in the loss of existing and future contracts or make it more difficult to compete effectively for future contracts. This could adversely affect our operating performance and may result in additional expenses and possible loss of revenue.

We face intense competition from many competitors that, among other things, have greater resources than we do.

We operate in highly competitive markets and generally encounter intense competition to win contracts and task orders. We compete with many other firms, ranging from small, specialized firms to mid-tier technology firms and large, diversified firms, many of which have substantially greater financial, management and marketing resources than we do. Significant competitors include divisions of large defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company and Northrop Grumman Corporation. We also face competition from a number of large, well-established U.S. Government contractors such as Leidos Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton Corporation, CACI International Inc., and others. Our competitors may be able to provide our customers with different or greater capabilities or benefits than we can in areas such as technical qualifications, past contract performance, geographic presence, price and the availability of qualified professional personnel. Our failure to compete effectively because of any of these or other factors could cause our revenue and operating profits to decline. In addition, our competitors also have established or may establish relationships among themselves or with third parties to increase their ability to address our customers' needs. Accordingly, it is possible that new competitors or alliances among competitors may emerge that would compete with us more effectively than they do currently.

Our earnings and profitability may vary based on the mix of our contracts and may be adversely affected by our failure to accurately estimate and manage costs, time and resources.

We generate revenue under various types of contracts, which include T&M, fixed-price-level-of-effort, FFP, cost reimbursable contracts, and commercial software license and related service contracts. Refer to Item 1, "Business" of this Annual Report for breakout of our revenue by contract type.

Our earnings and profitability may vary materially depending on changes in the proportionate amount of revenue derived from each type of contract, the nature of services or products provided, as well as the achievement of performance objectives and the stage of performance at which the right to receive fees, particularly under incentive and award fee contracts, is finally determined. Cost reimbursement and T&M contracts generally have lower profitability than FFP contracts. Our operating results in any period may be affected, positively or negatively, by variable purchasing patterns by our customers of our more profitable border, port and mobile security products.

To varying degrees, there is a risk that we could underestimate the costs and resources necessary to fulfill each of our contract types. While FFP contracts allow us to benefit from cost savings, these contracts also increase our exposure to the risk of cost overruns. When making proposals on these types of contracts, we rely heavily on our estimates of costs and timing for completing the associated projects, as well as on assumptions regarding technical issues. In each case, our failure to accurately estimate costs or the resources and technology needed to perform our contracts or to effectively manage and control our costs during the performance of our work could result, and in some instances has resulted, in reduced profits or in losses. More generally, any increased or unexpected costs or unanticipated delays in connection with the performance of our contracts, including costs and delays caused by contractual disputes or other factors outside of our control, could make our contracts less profitable or unprofitable.

We have made and may continue to make acquisitions and divestitures that involve numerous risks and uncertainties.

Historically, part of our growth strategy has relied on acquisitions. We expect to selectively pursue acquisitions and upon completion to integrate those businesses into our existing operations. We intend to seek acquisition opportunities both to expand into new markets and to enhance our position in our existing markets. However, our ability to make acquisitions will depend on a number of steps, including our ability to:

• identify suitable acquisition candidates;

• negotiate appropriate acquisition terms;

• obtain debt or equity financing that we may need to complete proposed acquisitions;

• complete the proposed acquisitions; and

• integrate the acquired business into our existing operations.

In addition, acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the operations accounting systems, technologies, services and products of the acquired company, the potential loss of key employees of the acquired company and the diversion of our management's attention from other business concerns. This is the case particularly in the fiscal quarters immediately following the completion of an acquisition to the extent the operations of the acquired business are integrated into the acquiring businesses' operations during this period. We cannot be sure that we will accurately anticipate all of the changing demands that any future acquisition may impose on our management, our operational and management information systems, and our financial systems.

We may underestimate or fail to discover liabilities relating to a future acquisition during due diligence and we, as the successor owner, might be responsible for any such liabilities. Although we seek to minimize the impact of underestimated or potential undiscovered liabilities by structuring acquisitions to minimize liabilities and obtaining indemnities and warranties from the selling party, these methods may not fully protect us from the impact of undiscovered liabilities. Indemnities or warranties are often limited in scope, amount or duration, and may not fully cover the liabilities for which they were intended. The liabilities that are not covered by the limited indemnities or warranties could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. In addition, acquisitions can raise potential Organizational Conflict of Interest issues that can impact the nature and timing of the acquisition or the acquiring entity's ability to compete for future contracts where the acquired entity may have been involved.

In addition, we have divested, and may in the future divest, businesses that are no longer a part of our ongoing strategic plan. These divestitures similarly require significant investment of time and resources, may disrupt our business, distract management from other responsibilities and may result in losses on disposal or continued financial involvement in the divested business, including through indemnification, guarantee or other financial arrangements, for a period of time following the transaction, which could adversely affect our financial results.

We have a substantial investment in recorded goodwill and other net intangibles as a result of our acquisitions, and changes in future business conditions could cause these investments to become impaired, requiring substantial write-downs that could reduce our net income or increase our net loss.

As of December 31, 2017, goodwill and other net intangibles accounted for 512 million, or 75% of our recorded total assets on an actual basis. We review our goodwill for impairment annually and when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We evaluate our goodwill at the reporting unit level, which for us is the same as our segments. The annual impairment test is based on several factors requiring judgment. Principally, a decrease in expected cash flows or changes in market conditions may indicate potential impairment of recorded goodwill. If goodwill became impaired, we could record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which impairment of our goodwill is determined, which would significantly reduce or eliminate our net income.

Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to pay our substantial debt.

We have substantial indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility and our convertible senior notes due 2019. Our indebtedness could have important consequences, including:

•requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to service our debt, which will reduce the funds available working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

•limiting our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;

•making us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;

•limiting our ability to borrow additional amounts for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy, or other purposes; and

•placing us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors who have less debt.

Our senior credit facility matures on the date that is 91 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of our convertible senior notes which mature on July 15, 2019, unless such notes are converted into equity or otherwise repaid or refinanced. Thus, unless repaid or refinanced, our senior credit facility matures on April 15, 2019. In accordance with GAAP, our convertible senior notes will become current liabilities as of April 15, 2018.

Our ability to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations.

Our existing senior credit facility contains financial and operating covenants that limit our operations and could lead to adverse consequences if we fail to comply.

Our existing senior credit facility contains financial and operating covenants that limit our operations and could lead to adverse consequences if we fail to comply. Our credit facility contains financial and operating covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain or satisfy specified financial ratios (including total indebtedness to consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock compensation and acquisition costs (consolidated EBITDA) ratios and an interest coverage ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense), limit our ability to incur indebtedness, pay dividends or engage in certain significant business transactions, and require us to comply with a number of other affirmative and negative operating covenants. Failure to meet these financial and operating covenants could result from, among other things, changes in our results of operations, our incurrence of debt or changes in general economic conditions. These covenants may restrict our ability to engage in transactions that we believe would otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders, which could harm our business and operations. In addition, our credit facility contains several other material covenants, including a lien against substantially all of our assets (including receivables and a pledge of the equity interests of certain subsidiaries), limitations on additional debt,

We may require additional capital to finance our growth. If the terms on which the additional capital is available are unsatisfactory or if the additional capital is not available at all or we are not able to fully access our existing credit facility we may not be able to pursue our growth strategy.

Our growth strategy may require additional capital investment to complete acquisitions, integrate any completed acquisitions into our existing operations, and to expand into new markets.

To the extent that we do not generate sufficient cash internally to provide the capital we require to fund our growth strategy and future operations, we will require additional debt or equity financing. We cannot be sure that this additional financing will be available or, if available, will be on terms acceptable to us. Further, high volatility in the equity markets may make it difficult for us to access the equity markets for additional capital at attractive prices, if at all. If we are unable to obtain sufficient additional capital in the future, it may limit our ability to implement our business strategy. Continued issues resulting from the current global financial crisis and economic downturn involving liquidity and capital adequacy affecting lenders could affect our ability to fully access our existing credit facilities. In addition, even if future debt financing is available, it may result in (1) increased interest expense, (2) increased term loan payments, (3) increased leverage, and (4) decreased income available to fund further acquisitions and expansion. It may also limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures and make us more vulnerable to economic downturns. If future equity financing is available, it may dilute the equity interests of our existing stockholders.

If we are unable to manage our growth, our business could be adversely affected.

Achieving our plans for growth will place significant demands on our management, as well as on our administrative, operational, and financial resources. For us to successfully manage our growth, we must continue to improve our operational, financial and management information systems and expand, motivate and manage our workforce. If we are unable to successfully manage our

growth without compromising the quality of our services and products, our business, prospects, financial condition or operating results could be adversely affected.

We are dependent on the continued services and performance of our senior management, the loss of any of whom could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

We believe that our future performance depends on the continued services and continuing contributions of our senior management to execute our business plan, and to identify and pursue new opportunities successfully. In addition, the relationships and reputation that many members of our senior management team have established and maintain with federal government personnel contribute to our ability to maintain strong customer relationships. Therefore, the loss of services of senior management could significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our development and strategic objectives.

Our failure to attract, train and retain skilled employees with (or who can obtain) appropriate security clearances would adversely affect our ability to execute our strategy.

Our business involves the development of tailored solutions for our customers, a process that relies heavily upon the expertise and services of our employees. Our continued success depends on our ability to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of highly qualified individuals who have advanced engineering and information technology skills, specialized knowledge of customer missions and appropriate security clearances, and who work well with our U.S. Government customers. Due to our growth and increased competition for experienced personnel, particularly in highly specialized areas, it has become more difficult for us to meet our needs for these employees in a timely manner and this may affect our growth in the current fiscal year and in future years. Although we intend to continue to devote significant resources to recruit, train and retain qualified employees, we may not be able to attract and retain these employees. Our employees may be solicited and/or hired by competitors (including those employing our former employees), whether or not in violation of existing non-solicitation and non-hire restrictions. Any failure to hire and retain our employees could impair our ability to perform our contractual obligations efficiently and timely meet our customers' needs and win new business, which could adversely affect our future results. Our overall employee attrition rate for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, on an actual basis, was 22% and 16%, respectively.

In addition, the relationships and reputation that many members of our senior management team have established and maintain with U.S. Government personnel contribute to our ability to maintain good customer relationships and to identify new business opportunities. The loss of key personnel may impair our ability to obtain new U.S. Government awards or adequately perform under our current U.S. Government contracts. We also rely on the skills and expertise of our senior technical development personnel, the loss of any of whom could prevent us from completing current development projects and restrict new development projects. We currently do not maintain “key person” insurance on any of our executives or key employees.

Our business depends upon obtaining and maintaining required security clearances.

Many of our federal government contracts require our employees to maintain various levels of security clearances, and we are required to maintain certain facility security clearances complying with DoD and IC requirements. Obtaining and maintaining security clearances for employees involves lengthy processes, and it is difficult to identify, recruit and retain employees who already hold security clearances. If our employees are unable to obtain or retain security clearances or if our employees who hold security clearances terminate employment with us and we are unable to find replacements with equivalent security clearances, we may be unable to perform our obligations to customers whose work requires cleared employees, or such customers could terminate their contracts or decide not to renew them upon their expiration. In addition, we expect that many of the contracts on which we will bid will require us to demonstrate our ability to obtain facility security clearances and perform work with employees who hold specified types of security clearances. To the extent we are not able to obtain or retain facility security clearances or engage employees with the required security clearances for a particular contract, we may not be able to bid on or win new contracts, maintain existing contracts or effectively re-bid on expiring contracts.

Employee misconduct, including security breaches, could cause us to lose customers or our ability to contract with the U.S. Government.

Misconduct, fraud or other improper activities by our employees could have a significant adverse impact on our business and reputation, particularly because we are a U.S. Government contractor. Such misconduct could include the failure to comply with U.S. Government procurement regulations, regulations regarding the protection of classified information, legislation regarding the pricing of labor and other costs in U.S. Government contracts, and any other applicable laws or regulations. Employee or former employee misconduct involving data security lapses or breaches of confidentiality resulting in the compromise of our or our customer's sensitive or classified information could result in remediation costs, in regulatory sanctions against us and in serious harm to our reputation. The precautions we take to prevent and detect these activities may not be effective, and we could face unknown risks or losses. Our failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations or misconduct by any of our employees could

subject us to fines and penalties, loss of security clearances and suspension or debarment from contracting with the U.S. Government, any of which would adversely affect our business and reputation.

Our quarterly operating results are likely to vary significantly and be unpredictable, which could cause the trading price of our stock to decline.

Our operating results have historically varied from period to period, and we expect that they will continue to do so as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including:


•	the level of demand for our products and services;


•	the budgeting cycles and purchasing practices of our customers;


•	acquisitions of other businesses;


•	the sales cycle for our commercial products;


•	failure to accurately estimate or control costs under FFP contracts;


•	commencement, completion or termination of projects during any particular quarter; and


•	changes in senior U.S. Government officials that affect the timing of technology procurement.

Any one of the factors above or the cumulative effect of some of the factors referred to above may result in significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results. This variability and unpredictability could result in our failing to meet our revenue or operating results expectations or those of securities analysts or investors for any period. If we fail to meet or exceed such expectations for these or any other reasons, the market price of our shares could fall substantially.

We have only a limited ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights, which we consider important to our success. Failure to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our competitive position and cause us to incur significant expense.

We believe that our success depends, in part, upon our ability to protect our proprietary information and other intellectual property. We rely principally on trade secrets to protect much of our intellectual property where we do not believe that patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect and to enforce against third parties. Although we believe that we have adopted reasonable practices to ensure that our employees are subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations and to ensure that we obtain appropriate ownership rights in intellectual property developed by our employees (or by the employees of companies that we have acquired), our practices in this regard may be insufficient, which could result in the misappropriation or disclosure of our confidential information or disputes regarding (or the loss of rights to) certain of our intellectual property. For example, confidentiality agreements may not provide adequate protection or may be breached. We generally control and limit access to our product documentation and other proprietary information, but other parties may independently develop our know-how or otherwise obtain access to our technology, which could adversely affect our businesses’ prospects and competitive position. We may be unable to detect unauthorized use of our intellectual property or otherwise take appropriate steps to enforce our rights. Failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position. The protections that we receive for our trade secrets and other intellectual property rights may not be sufficient to prevent our competitors from copying, infringing, or misappropriating our products and services. Similarly, there is no guarantee that when we do apply for intellectual property protection, the applications will result in registrations sufficient to protect our rights. In addition, we cannot be certain that others will not independently develop, design around or otherwise acquire equivalent or superior technology or intellectual property rights.

From time to time, we may seek to enforce our intellectual property rights against third parties. The fact that we have intellectual property rights may not guarantee success in our attempts to enforce these rights against third parties. If we are unable to prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our trade secrets or other intellectual property rights, our competitive position could be adversely affected. Our ability and potential success in enforcing our rights is also subject to general litigation risks, as well as uncertainty as to the enforceability of our intellectual property rights. When we seek to enforce our rights, we may be subject to claims that our intellectual property rights are invalid, otherwise unenforceable, or are licensed to the party against whom we are asserting the claim. In addition, our assertions of intellectual property rights may result in the other party seeking to assert various claims against us, including its own alleged intellectual property rights, claims of unfair competition, or others. In the course of conducting our business, we may also inadvertently infringe the intellectual property rights of others, resulting in claims against us or our customers. Our contracts generally indemnify our customers for third-party claims for intellectual property infringement by the services and products we provide. The expense of defending these claims may adversely affect our financial results.

Our acquisitions frequently include the hiring of employees from the acquired entity. These employees may be subject to confidentiality provisions that are not related to the acquisition and may have been exposed to third party confidential information and intellectual property that we do not have the rights to use. During the course of their employment in our business, there is always a risk that employees may inadvertently breach confidentiality obligations or inadvertently infringe third party intellectual property rights based on their prior employment, which could adversely affect our business.

In addition, we conduct R&D under projects with the U.S. Government. In general, our rights to technologies we develop under those projects are subject to the U.S. Government's non-exclusive, non-royalty bearing, world-wide license to use those technologies. Under certain circumstances, the U.S. Government could also claim rights in our intellectual property that could make it difficult to prevent disclosure to, licensing to, or use by third parties, which could adversely affect our competitive position and business.

We may become involved in intellectual property disputes, which could subject us to significant liability, divert the time and attention of our management and prevent us from selling our products.

We, or our customers, may be a party to litigation in the future to protect our intellectual property or be required to respond to allegations that we infringe on others' intellectual property. If any parties assert that our products infringe upon their proprietary rights, we would be forced to defend ourselves, and possibly our customers, against the alleged infringement, or to negotiate and possibly enter into settlement agreements that could adversely affect our intellectual property rights or the operation of our business. If we are unsuccessful in any intellectual property litigation or enter into any dispute-related settlement, we could be subject to significant liability and loss of our proprietary rights. Intellectual property litigation, regardless of its success, would likely be time consuming and expensive to resolve and would divert management's time and attention. In addition, we could be forced to do one or more of the following:


•	stop selling, incorporating or using our products that include the challenged intellectual property;


•	obtain from the owner of any infringed intellectual property right a license to sell or use the relevant technology, which license may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all, or may require us to extend a cross-license to rights under our intellectual property;


•	pay substantial damages; and/or


•	re-design those products that use the technology.

If we are forced to take any of these actions, our business could be harmed.

We rely on the availability of third-party licenses.

Certain of our products include software or other intellectual property licensed from third parties. It may be necessary in the future to renew licenses relating to various aspects of these products or to seek new licenses for existing or new products. There can be no assurance that the necessary licenses would be available on equivalent terms to those currently available, on other terms acceptable to us, or at all. The inability to obtain certain licenses or other rights or to obtain such licenses or rights on favorable terms, or the need to engage in litigation regarding these matters, could result in delays in product releases until equivalent technology can be identified, licensed or developed, if at all, and integrated into our products and may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Moreover, the inclusion in our products of software or other intellectual property licensed from third parties on a nonexclusive basis could limit our ability to differentiate our products from those of our competitors.

Many of our contracts contain performance obligations that require innovative design capabilities, are technologically complex, require state-of-the-art manufacturing expertise or are dependent upon factors not wholly within our control. Failure to meet these obligations could adversely affect our profitability and future prospects.

We design, develop and manufacture technologically advanced and innovative products and services applied by our customers in a variety of environments. Problems and delays in development or delivery as a result of issues with respect to design, technology, licensing and patent rights, labor, learning curve assumptions or materials and components could prevent us from achieving contractual requirements.

In addition, our products cannot be tested and proven in all situations and are otherwise subject to unforeseen problems. Examples of unforeseen problems that could negatively affect revenue and profitability include premature failure of products that cannot be accessed for repair or replacement, problems with quality, country of origin, delivery of subcontractor components or services and unplanned degradation of product performance. Among the factors that may affect revenue and profits could be unforeseen costs and expenses not covered by insurance or indemnification from the customer, diversion of management focus in responding to

unforeseen problems, loss of follow-on work, and, in the case of certain contracts, repayment to the U.S. Government customer of contract cost and fee payments we previously received.

System failures or security threats, including those resulting from cybersecurity threats, could cause business disruptions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and damage our reputation.

We rely upon sophisticated technology systems and infrastructure. Under the supervision of our Board of Directors, we take reasonable steps to protect them, including the implementation and use of industry standard security precautions. However, notwithstanding such measures, such systems are potentially vulnerable to breakdown, malicious intrusion, natural disaster, and random attack. A disruption to our systems or infrastructure could damage our reputation and cause us to lose customers and revenue. This could require us to expend significant efforts and resources or incur significant expense to eliminate these problems and address related security concerns.

In addition, as a defense contractor, we face various security threats, including cybersecurity threats, to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information; threats to the safety of our directors, officers, and employees; threats to the security of our facilities and infrastructure; and threats from terrorist acts. Although we utilize various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate these threats, there can be no assurance that these procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent security threats from materializing. If any of these events were to materialize, they could lead to losses of sensitive information or capabilities, harm to personnel or infrastructure, or damage to our reputation, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

We face a heightened risk of a security breach or disruption because of our possession of classified and other sensitive information. Many government contractors have already been targeted and these types of attacks are likely to occur in the future. Attacks of any kind on our network or other systems could result in the loss of customer or proprietary data, interruptions or delays in our customers' business and damage to our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and reputation. In addition, the failure or disruption of our systems, communications or utilities could result in the interruption or suspension of our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and reputation.

If our systems, services or other applications have significant defects or errors, if we are successfully attacked by cyber or other security threats, or if we suffer delivery delays or otherwise fail to meet our customers' expectations, we may:


•	lose revenue due to adverse customer reaction;


•	incur additional costs related to monitoring and increasing our cyber security;


•	incur additional costs related to remediation;


•	be sued by customers and other who were harmed;


•	reduce or negate the value of our proprietary information;


•	receive negative publicity, which could damage our reputation and adversely affect our ability to attract or retain customers;


•	be unable to successfully market services that rely on the creation and maintenance of secure IT systems:


•	damage the confidence of our employees in the management and systems of the company;


•	suffer claims for substantial damages, particularly as a result of any successful network or systems breach and exfiltration of customer information; or


•	incur significant costs complying with applicable federal or state laws, including laws governing protection of personal information.

If our new products do not achieve sufficient market acceptance, our financial results and competitive position may suffer.

We spend substantial amounts of time and money to research and develop new products and enhanced versions of our existing products to incorporate additional features, improve functionality or incorporate other enhancements in order to meet our customers' rapidly evolving demands. When we develop a new product or an enhanced version of an existing product, we typically incur expenses and expend resources upfront to market, promote and sell the new offering. Therefore, when we develop and introduce

new or enhanced products, they must achieve market acceptance in order to justify the amount of our investment in developing and bringing them to market.

Our new products or enhancements could fail to attain sufficient market acceptance for many reasons, including:


•	failure to predict market demand accurately in terms of functionality and to supply products that meet demand in a timely fashion;


•	defects, errors or failures;


•	negative publicity about their performance or effectiveness;


•	delays in releasing our new products or enhancements to the market;


•	introduction or anticipated introduction of competing products by our competitors; and


•	poor business conditions for our end-customers, causing them to delay purchases.

If our new products or enhancements do not achieve adequate acceptance in the market, our competitive position may be impaired, and our financial results may suffer. The adverse effect on our financial results will be directly related to the significant research, development, marketing, sales and other expenses we will have incurred in connection with the new products or enhancements.

Our current R&D efforts may not produce successful products or features that result in significant revenue in the near future, if at all.

Developing our products and related enhancements is expensive. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our R&D costs totaled $3.7 million, a 20% decrease over our total R&D costs for the year ended December 31, 2016. Our investments in R&D may not result in significant design improvements, marketable products or features or may result in products that are more expensive than anticipated. Additionally, we may not receive significant revenue from these investments in the near future, if at all, or these investments may not yield expected benefits, either of which could adversely affect our business and operating results. Nevertheless, we believe that we must continue to dedicate a significant amount of resources to our R&D efforts to maintain our competitive position. As a result, our future plans include significant investments in R&D and related product opportunities.

If we do not accurately predict, prepare for, and respond promptly to the rapidly evolving technological and market developments and changing end-customer needs in the cybersecurity market, our competitive position and prospects will be harmed.

The cybersecurity market is expected to continue to evolve rapidly. Many of our end-customers operate in markets characterized by rapidly changing technologies and business needs, incorporating a variety of hardware, software applications, operating systems, and networking protocols. However, some of our new products and enhancements may require us to develop new architectures that involve complex, expensive, and time consuming R&D processes. The technology in our products is especially complex because it needs to effectively identify and respond to new and increasingly sophisticated methods of attack, and quickly respond to and eliminate negative impacts on network performance. As a result, although the market expects rapid introduction of new products or product enhancements to respond to new threats, the development of these products is difficult and the timetable for commercial release and availability is uncertain as there can be long time periods between releases and availability of new products. We may experience unanticipated delays in the availability of new products and fail to meet customer expectations for such availability. If we do not quickly respond to the rapidly changing and rigorous needs of our end-customers by developing, releasing, and making available on a timely basis new products or enhancements that can respond adequately to new security threats, our competitive position and business prospects will be harmed.

Additionally, the process of developing new technology is complex and uncertain, and if we fail to accurately predict end-customers' changing needs and emerging technological trends, our business could be harmed. There can be no assurance that we will successfully identify new product opportunities, develop and bring new products to market in a timely manner, or achieve market acceptance of our products, or that products and technologies developed by others will not render our products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive.

If functionality similar to that offered by our products is incorporated into existing network infrastructure products, organizations may decide against adding our products to their systems, which would have an adverse effect on our business.

Large, well-established providers of networking equipment offer, and may continue to introduce, network security features that compete with our products, either in stand-alone security products or as additional features in their network infrastructure products.

The inclusion of, or the announcement of an intent to include, functionality perceived to be similar to that offered by our security solutions in networking products that are already generally accepted as necessary components of network architecture may have an adverse effect on our ability to market and sell our products. Furthermore, even if the functionality offered by network infrastructure providers is more limited than our products, a significant number of end-customers may elect to accept such limited functionality in lieu of adding platforms from an additional vendor such as us. Many organizations have invested substantial personnel and financial resources to design and operate their networks and have established deep relationships with other providers of networking products, which may make them reluctant to add new components to their networks, particularly from other vendors such as us. In addition, an organization's existing vendors or new vendors with a broad product offering may be able to offer concessions that we are not able to match because we currently offer only network security products and have fewer resources than many of our competitors. If organizations are reluctant to add additional network infrastructure from new vendors or otherwise decide to work with their existing vendors, our ability to increase our market share and improve our financial condition and operating results will be adversely affected.

If our products do not interoperate with our end-customers' infrastructure, sales of our products could be negatively affected, which would harm our business.

Our products must interoperate with our end-customers' existing infrastructure, which often have different specifications, utilize multiple protocol standards, deploy products from multiple vendors, and contain multiple generations of products that have been added over time. As a result, when problems occur in a network, it may be difficult to identify the sources of these problems. Any delays in identifying the sources of problems or in providing necessary modifications to our software or hardware could have a negative impact on our reputation and our end-customers' satisfaction with our products, and our ability to sell products could be adversely affected. In addition, U.S. Government and other end-customers may require our products to comply with certain security or other certifications and standards. If our products are late in achieving or fail to achieve compliance with these certifications and standards, or our competitors achieve compliance with these certifications and standards, we may be disqualified from selling our products to such end-customers, or at a competitive disadvantage, which would harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

The price of our common stock may be subject to wide fluctuations.

The market price of our common stock is subject to significant fluctuations. The market price for our common stock has varied between a high of $12.40 on January 25, 2017 and a low of $4.94 on November 7, 2017 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Among the factors that could affect our common stock price are the risks described in this “Risk Factors” section and other factors, including:


•	quarterly variations in our operating results compared to market expectations;


•	changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates or reports by securities analysts;


•	changes in market valuations of similar companies;


•	liquidity and activity in the market for our common stock;


•	actual or expected sales of our common stock by our stockholders, including any of our significant stockholders;


•	strategic moves by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;


•	general market conditions;


•	future sales of our common stock; and


•	domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance.

As a result of the existence of one or more of these factors, the price of our common stock may be subject to wide fluctuations.

Future issuances and sales of our common stock in the public market could lower the market price for our common stock.

In the future, we may sell additional shares of our common stock to raise capital. In addition, a substantial number of shares of our common stock is reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options and upon conversion of the Convertible Senior Notes (Notes). We cannot predict the size of future issuances or the effect, if any, that they may have on the market price for our common stock. The issuance and sale of substantial amounts of common stock, or the perception that such issuances and sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.

The issuance of substantial amounts of our common stock could adversely impact its price. As of December 31, 2017, we had 49.9 million shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and options to purchase 0.9 million shares of our common stock outstanding and exercisable. We also had warrants to purchase 0.2 million shares of our common stock, all of which were outstanding and exercisable. We also had 2.1 million shares of common stock issuable under outstanding restricted stock units and pursuant to Long-Term Incentive Shares and 0.4 million shares of common stock available for grant under our 2013 Stock Incentive Plan as of that date. In addition, we have 10.1 million shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the conversion of our Notes based on the initial conversion rate. Although the terms of our Notes permit us to settle Note conversions with cash, we may not have sufficient funds to do so and we could be required to issue shares of common stock. If we choose to borrow funds to effect cash settlement of our Notes, the resulting increase in interest expense could cause a decline in our profitability. The issuance of additional shares, including as a result of the exercise or conversion of our outstanding options, warrants and Notes, and under our restricted stock units and Long-Term Incentive Shares, could also reduce our per share financial performance. Any of these factors could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

We may allocate the net proceeds from issuances and sales of our common stock in ways that stockholders may not approve.

Subject to applicable laws and rules, our management may have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from issuances and sales of our common stock and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not necessarily improve our operating results or enhance the value of our common stock.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If we do not maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.

Provisions in our organizational documents and in Maryland law may inhibit potential acquisition bids that our stockholders may consider favorable, and the market price of our common stock may be lower as a result.

Our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect and inhibit a change in our board of directors and management. These provisions include the following:

•

Our charter permits our board of directors to issue preferred stock with terms that may discourage a third party from acquiring us. Our charter permits our board of directors to issue up to 5 million shares of preferred stock, having preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption as determined by our board of directors. Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction in which holders of some or a majority of our shares might receive a premium for their shares over the then-prevailing market price; and

•

Our charter and bylaws contain other possible anti-takeover provisions. Our charter and bylaws contain other provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change-of-control or the removal of existing directors and, as a result, could prevent our stockholders from being paid a premium for their common stock over the then-prevailing market price. These provisions include the advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations.

In addition, Maryland law provides protection for Maryland corporations against unsolicited takeovers by limiting, among other things, the duties of the directors in unsolicited takeover situations. The duties of directors of Maryland corporations do not require them to:


•	accept, recommend or respond to any proposal by a person seeking to acquire control of the corporation;


•	authorize the corporation to redeem any rights under, or modify or render inapplicable, any stockholder rights plan;


•	make a determination under the Maryland Business Combination Act or the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act; or


•	act or fail to act solely because of the effect that the act or failure to act might have on an acquisition or potential acquisition of control of the corporation or the amount or type of consideration that may be offered or paid to the stockholders in an acquisition.

Maryland law also contains a statutory presumption that an act of a director of a Maryland corporation satisfies the applicable standards of conduct for directors under Maryland law.

Any one or more of these provisions, singularly or together, may have an anti-takeover effect that discourages potential acquisition bids that our stockholders may consider favorable.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to document and test our internal control over financial reporting and also requires our independent registered public accounting firm to report on the operating effectiveness of these controls. Failures delays or difficulty in satisfying these requirements could adversely affect our future results of operations and our stock price.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to document and test the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with an established internal control framework and to report on our conclusions as to the effectiveness of our internal controls. It also requires our independent registered public accounting firm to test our internal control over financial reporting and report on the effectiveness of such controls. In addition, we are required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, to maintain disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.

As described under Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” we have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting related to our control environment and control activities. Under standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, a material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

As of the date of this filing we have initiated remedial measures, but these new and enhanced controls have not operated for a sufficient amount of time to conclude that the material weaknesses have been remediated. To implement these remedial measures, we may need to commit significant resources, hire additional staff, and provide additional management oversight. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Further, if our remedial measures are insufficient to address the material weaknesses, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements, and we could be required to restate our financial results. In addition, if we are unable to successfully remediate the material weaknesses and if we are unable to produce accurate and timely financial statements, our stock price may be adversely affected and we may be unable to maintain compliance with applicable stock exchange listing requirements.

We may, in the future, discover other areas of our internal controls that need improvement, particularly with respect to businesses that we may acquire. If so, we cannot be certain that any remedial measures we take will ensure that we have adequate internal controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide us with an unqualified report regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in future periods, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements. This could result in a decrease in the value of our common stock. Failure to comply with Section 404 could potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the SEC, the NASDAQ Global Select Market or other regulatory authorities.

Operational risks such as material weaknesses and other deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting could result in errors, potentially requiring restatements of our historical financial data, leading investors to lose confidence in our reported results.

There are a number of factors that may impede our efforts to establish and maintain effective internal controls and a sound accounting infrastructure, including our recent history of acquisitions , our rapid pace of growth, and general uncertainty regarding the operating effectiveness and sustainability of controls. Controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, provide only reasonable assurance that material errors in our financial statements will be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Any failure to establish and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting increases the risk of material error and/or delay in our

financial reporting. Depending on the nature of a failure and any required remediation, ineffective controls could have a material adverse effect on our business and potentially result in restatements of our historical financial results. Financial restatements or other issues arising from ineffective controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would have an adverse effect on the trading price of our securities. Delays in meeting our financial reporting obligations could affect our ability to maintain the listing of our securities. Although we seek to reduce these risks through active efforts relating to properly documented processes, adequate systems, risk culture, compliance with regulations, corporate governance and other factors supporting internal controls, such procedures may not be effective in limiting each of the operational risks.

Risks Relating to Our Convertible Notes

We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of the notes or to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change, and our revolving credit facility contains limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the notes.

The terms of our convertible notes require us to repurchase convertible notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. Upon conversion, unless we elect to deliver solely shares of our common stock to settle such conversion (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we will be required to make cash payments in respect of the notes being converted. However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of convertible notes surrendered therefor or being converted. In addition, our ability to repurchase convertible notes or to pay cash upon conversion may be limited by law, by regulatory authority or by agreements governing our future indebtedness, including our revolving credit facility. Our failure to repurchase convertible notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the indenture or to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the notes as required by the indenture would constitute a default under the indenture. A default under the indenture or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements governing our future indebtedness, including our revolving credit facility. If the repayment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the convertible notes or make cash payments upon conversions thereof.

Our senior secured credit facility limits our ability to pay any cash amount upon the conversion of the notes.

Our senior secured credit facility prohibits us from making any cash payments on the conversion of the notes if a default or an event of default exists under that facility or if, after giving effect to such cash payment (and any additional indebtedness incurred to make such payments), we would not be in pro forma compliance with our financial covenants. Any new credit facility that we may enter into may have similar restrictions.

The notes are not protected by restrictive covenants.

The indenture governing the convertible notes does not contain any financial or operating covenants or restrictions on the payments of dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or repurchase of securities by us or any of our subsidiaries. The indenture contains no covenants or other provisions to afford protection to holders of the notes in the event of a fundamental change or other corporate transaction involving us except in limited circumstances.

The capped call transactions may affect the value of the notes and our common stock.

In connection with the pricing of the notes, we entered into capped call transactions with the option counterparties. The capped call transactions are expected to reduce the potential dilution and/or offset any cash payments due in excess of the principal amount of converted notes, as the case may be, upon any conversion of the notes, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap. In connection with establishing their initial hedge of the capped call transactions, the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates entered into various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock. This activity or any reduction in such continued activity could affect the market price of our common stock or the convertible notes.

In addition, the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to our common stock and/or purchasing or selling our common stock or other securities of ours in secondary market transactions prior to the maturity of the convertible notes. This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of our common stock or the convertible notes, which could affect our ability to convert the notes and, to the extent the activity occurs during any observation period related to a conversion of notes, it could affect the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the notes.

The notes are effectively subordinated to our secured debt and any liabilities of our subsidiaries.

The convertible notes rank:


•	senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes;


•	equal in right of payment to any of our liabilities that are not so subordinated;


•	effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and


•	structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries.

In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure debt ranking senior in right of payment to the convertible notes will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after the secured debt has been repaid in full from these assets. There may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all of the notes then outstanding. The indenture governing the notes does not prohibit us from incurring additional senior debt or secured debt, nor does it prohibit any of our subsidiaries from incurring additional liabilities.

As of December 31, 2017, our total consolidated indebtedness was $281.1 million, all of which was secured indebtedness of our subsidiary, The KeyW Corporation, to which the convertible notes are structurally subordinated.


Item 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.


Item 2.	PROPERTIES

We lease all of our office facilities used in our business. Our corporate headquarters is located in Hanover, Maryland, where we occupy space under a lease that expires in 2022. We also lease space located in Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. We believe our facilities meet our current needs and that additional facilities will be available as needed.


Item 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are not a party to any material legal proceedings as of March 16, 2018.


Item 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II


Item 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

On October 1, 2010, the Company's common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “KEYW”. The following table sets forth the range of high and low intra-day sales prices of KeyW's common stock for the periods indicated.



	High		Low
Year Ended December 31, 2017:
First Quarter	$	12.40	$	8.58
Second Quarter	$	10.50	$	8.07
Third Quarter	$	9.43	$	6.18
Fourth Quarter	$	8.04	$	4.94
Year Ended December 31, 2016:
First Quarter	$	7.25	$	3.91
Second Quarter	$	9.95	$	6.23
Third Quarter	$	11.26	$	8.50
Fourth Quarter	$	13.57	$	10.19

On February 28, 2018, the last reported sale price for our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $7.51 per share.

Holders

As of February 28, 2018, there were approximately 218 registered holders of record of our common stock. The number of holders of record does not reflect the number of beneficial holders whose shares are held by depositories, brokers or nominees.

Dividends

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, our credit facility limits our ability to pay dividends in most circumstances.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

During 2017, pursuant to employment agreements entered into with John Sutton (Chief Operating Officer), Marion Ruzecki (Chief People Officer) and four Sotera employees, we granted the right to receive up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock as long-term incentive inducements, which shares will be issued during the five year period following the commencement of their respective employment agreements in the amounts set forth below, provided the Company's stock price exceeds the applicable target share prices set forth below for at least 30 consecutive trading days.



Target Price Per Share	Long-Term Incentive Shares
$13.00	62,500
$16.00	62,500
$20.00	125,000
$25.00	125,000
$30.00	125,000

The securities described above were offered and sold pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which provides an exemption for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2017, with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.



Plan Category	Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a)	Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (b)		Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance (Excluding Column (a)) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders⁽¹⁾	1,037,926	$	9.94	420,515
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders⁽²⁾	1,295,000	—		—
TOTAL	2,332,926			420,515


(1)	The 2013 Plan, which took effect on January 1, 2013, replaced the 2009 Plan, and authorizes the issuance of up to 2,700,000 shares.

(2)

During 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company granted Long-Term Incentive Shares pursuant to employment agreements with certain new employees. The agreements provided for grants of inducement equity awards outside of the 2013 Plan. An aggregate of 1,095,000 shares were granted during 2015, 2016 and 2017 outside of the 2013 Plan to new hires, in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) upon commencement of their employment. The remaining 200,000 shares were granted to four Sotera employees upon the Sotera acquisition in April 2017. The Company entered into employment agreements with the four Sotera employees.

Performance Graph

The following graph illustrates a comparison of the total cumulative stockholder return on our common stock (traded under the symbol “KEYW”) from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2017, to two indices: the Russell 2000 Index and the NASDAQ Composite Index. In addition, the graph illustrates the performance of a peer group consisting of Engility Holdings, Inc. (EGL), ICF International, Inc. (ICFI), Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (MRCY) and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS). These peers, while not direct competitors, were selected because they are comparable in such factors as annual revenue, market capitalization and number of employees. We believe that the stock performance of the selected peer group is a relevant comparison for investors. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2012, in KeyW common stock, each of the two indices and the peer group, each assuming dividend reinvestment. The comparisons in the graph are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of our common stock.


Item 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables contain selected historical financial data for us for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The selected consolidated financial data presented should be read together with Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 15 of this Annual Report. On April 4, 2017 we acquired Sotera and the results of Sotera's operations were included from the date of acquisition (refer to Note 2 - Acquisitions to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report for more information).



	Years ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	17,832	$	41,871	$	21,227	$	39,601	$	2,480
Working capital⁽¹⁾	42,817		67,937		63,915		82,475		14,669
Total assets⁽¹⁾	686,907		445,453		454,122		463,775		426,919
Long-term obligations⁽¹⁾	290,243		175,596		165,936		130,893		70,103
Total stockholders' equity	311,012		232,936		251,825		299,218		299,491

(1) The Company adopted ASU 2015-17 as of January 1, 2017 on a retrospective basis and reclassified current deferred tax assets and liabilities to non-current deferred assets and liabilities (refer to Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report for more information).



	Years ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenue	$	441,586		$	288,027		$	297,935		$	279,250		$	288,909
Operating (loss) income	(5,432		)	13,708			16,130			18,750			4,351
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	(10,951		)	1,865			(29,910		)	6,590			(2,962		)
Net loss on discontinued operations	—			(27,593		)	(28,712		)	(20,125		)	(8,257		)
Net loss	(10,951		)	(25,728		)	(58,622		)	(13,535		)	(11,219		)

Basic net (loss) earnings per share:
Continuing operations	$	(0.22	)	$	0.05		$	(0.77	)	$	0.18		$	(0.08	)
Discontinued operations	—			(0.69		)	(0.74		)	(0.54		)	(0.23		)
Basic net (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.64	)	$	(1.51	)	$	(0.36	)	$	(0.31	)

Diluted net (loss) earnings per share:
Continuing operations	$	(0.22	)	$	0.05		$	(0.77	)	$	0.17		$	(0.08	)
Discontinued operations	—			(0.68		)	(0.74		)	(0.51		)	(0.23		)
Diluted net loss per share	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.63	)	$	(1.51	)	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.31	)

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations	40,640			31,423			35,970			38,471			36,983

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations as defined by us is a financial measure that is not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations Reconciliation tables below provide reconciliations of this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies because other companies may not calculate adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations or similarly titled measures in the same manner as we do. We prepare adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations to eliminate the impact of items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance. We encourage you to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate.

We believe adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance for the following reasons:


•	we have various non-recurring transactions and expenses that directly impact our net income. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is intended to approximate the net cash provided by operations by adjusting for non-recurring, non-operational items; and


•	securities analysts use adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations as a supplemental measure to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies.

Our board of directors and management use adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations:


•	as a measure of operating performance;


•	to determine a significant portion of management's incentive compensation;


•	for planning purposes, including the preparation of our annual operating budget; and


•	to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies.

Although adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is frequently used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluations of companies, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results of operations as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:


•	adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or other contractual commitments;


•	adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;


•	adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations does not reflect interest expense or interest income;


•	adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations does not reflect cash requirements for income taxes;


•	adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations does not include non-cash expenses related to stock compensation;


•	although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated or amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations does not reflect any cash requirements for these replacements; and


•	other companies in our industry may calculate adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations or similarly titled measures differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.



	Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations Reconciliation
	Years ended December 31,
	2017			2016		2015			2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	$	(10,951	)	$	1,865	$	(29,910	)	$	6,590	$	(2,962	)
Depreciation	8,946			6,449		5,877			5,329		5,738
Intangible amortization	11,416			6,113		7,087			7,737		20,534
Stock based compensation	4,228			3,472		5,524			6,421		5,731
Interest expense, net	17,015			10,812		10,299			8,934		3,508
Income tax (benefit)expense⁽¹⁾	(11,060		)	2,457		35,782			3,356		(2,479		)
Acquisition costs and other adjustments⁽²⁾	21,046			255		1,311			104		6,913
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations	$	40,640		$	31,423	$	35,970		$	38,471	$	36,983

(1) The income tax (benefit) expense for 2017 and 2015 included a valuation allowance adjustment for deferred tax assets and liabilities. The income tax (benefit) expense for 2017 included the effect of change in the federal tax rate.

(2) The other adjustments include $18.2 million of non-recurring acquisition and integration related costs in 2017, $3.0 million gain on the divestiture of SETA net of transaction costs and a write-off of $1.1 million related to a discontinued joint venture in 2016, and a legal settlement in 2013.

The following tables contain selected historical unaudited financial data by quarter for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.



	2017											2016
	Three Months Ended Mar. 31			Three Months Ended June 30			Three Months Ended Sept. 30			Three Months Ended Dec. 31		Three Months Ended Mar. 31		Three Months Ended June 30			Three Months Ended Sept. 30		Three Months Ended Dec. 31
	(In thousands, except per share data and unaudited)
Revenue	$	68,256		$	124,058		$	122,394		$	126,878	$	73,642	$	73,346		$	72,111	$	68,928
Operating (loss) income⁽¹⁾	(1,267		)	(9,886		)	1,266			4,455		4,939		5,067			4,240		(538		)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations⁽¹⁾	(3,884		)	(17,787		)	(5,329		)	16,049		1,909		(436		)	3,504		(3,112		)
(Loss) income from continuing operations per share of common stock-basic⁽¹⁾	(0.08		)	(0.36		)	(0.11		)	0.32		0.05		(0.01		)	0.09		(0.08		)
(Loss) income from continuing operations per share of common stock-diluted⁽¹⁾	(0.08		)	(0.36		)	(0.11		)	0.32		0.05		(0.01		)	0.09		(0.08		)
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations⁽¹⁾	4,452			10,544			11,629			14,015		8,463		9,402			8,370		5,188

(1)The Company has corrected three months ended June 30, 2017, and three months ended September 30, 2017, to reflect an increase of $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of intangible asset amortization resulting from immaterial errors related to the under allocation of purchase price to intangible assets from the Sotera acquisition.



	Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations Reconciliation
	2017												2016
	Three Months Ended Mar. 31			Three Months Ended June 30			Three Months Ended Sept. 30			Three Months Ended Dec. 31			Three Months Ended Mar. 31			Three Months Ended June 30			Three Months Ended Sept. 30			Three Months Ended Dec. 31
	(In thousands and unaudited)
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations⁽¹⁾	$	(3,884	)	$	(17,787	)	$	(5,329	)	$	16,049		$	1,909		$	(436	)	$	3,504		$	(3,112	)
Depreciation	1,432			2,225			2,508			2,781			1,555			1,931			1,495			1,468
Intangible Amortization⁽¹⁾	1,650			3,604			3,604			2,558			1,467			1,467			1,528			1,651
Stock Compensation Amortization	958			1,140			956			1,174			478			669			1,025			1,300
Interest Expense	2,609			4,914			4,829			4,663			2,966			2,614			2,615			2,617
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)⁽²⁾	—			3,124			2,012			(16,196		)	1,396			2,972			(1,876		)	(35		)
Acquisition Costs and Other Adjustments⁽³⁾	1,687			13,324			3,049			2,986			(1,308		)	185			79			1,299
Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations	$	4,452		$	10,544		$	11,629		$	14,015		$	8,463		$	9,402		$	8,370		$	5,188

(2) The income tax expense (benefit) in the fourth quarter of 2017 included a valuation allowance adjustment for deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as the effect of change in the federal tax rate.

(3) The acquisition cost and other adjustments for 2017 include non-recurring acquisition and integration related costs of $1.7 million, $12.8 million, $2.4 million and $1.3 million in the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter, respectively.

In 2016 the acquisition cost and other adjustments included $3.0 million gain on the divestiture of SETA net of transaction costs in the first quarter and a write-off of $1.1 million related to a discontinued joint venture in the fourth quarter.


Item 7.	MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is provided in addition to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. MD&A is organized as follows:


•	Executive Level Overview. Discussion of our business and overall analysis of financial and other highlights affecting our company in order to provide context for the remainder of MD&A and our overall strategy.


•	Critical Accounting Policies. Accounting estimates that we believe are most important to understanding the assumptions and judgments incorporated in our reported financial results and forecasts.


•	Results of Operations. An analysis of our segmented financial results comparing 2017 to 2016 and comparing 2016 to 2015.


•	Liquidity and Capital Resources. An analysis of changes in our balance sheets and cash flows, and discussion of our financial condition and sources of and needs for liquidity.


•	Contractual Obligations and Commitments; Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements. Overview of contractual obligations, contingent liabilities, commitments, and off-balance-sheet arrangements outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

Forward-Looking Statements

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “endeavors,” “strives,” “may,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth and trends in our businesses, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those identified below, as well as under “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In addition, our acquisition of Sotera Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary Sotera Defense Solutions Inc., a Delaware corporation (Sotera), completed on April 4, 2017, involves risks and uncertainties, including (i) the parties being unable to successfully implement integration strategies or realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the possibility that the expected synergies and cost reductions from the proposed acquisition will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; (ii) the increased leverage and interest expense of the combined company and our ability to comply with debt covenants under our secured credit facility entered into on April 4, 2017; (iii) changes in future business conditions that could cause our goodwill, which will increase as a result of the Sotera acquisition, to become impaired, requiring substantial write-downs; (iv) areas of Sotera’s internal controls that may need to be remediated or improved; (v) general economic conditions and/or conditions affecting the parties’ current and prospective customers (vi) difficulties with, or delays in, the inability to achieve our revenue and adjusted EBITDA margin guidance for 2017, due to, among other things, unanticipated circumstances, trends or events affecting our financial performance; and (vii) other risk factors with respect to acquisitions contained in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this report.

Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Annual Report. Subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. While we may elect to update the forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so.

Executive Level Overview

We are a highly specialized provider of advanced engineering and technology solutions to support the collection, processing, analysis and dissemination of information across the full spectrum of the Intelligence, Cyber and Counterterrorism Communities’

missions. Our solutions protect our nation and its allies, and are designed to meet the critical needs of agile intelligence and U.S. Government national security priorities. Our core capabilities include advanced cyber operations and training; geospatial intelligence; cloud and data analytics; engineering; and intelligence analysis and operations. Other our offerings include a suite of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) solutions deployed from an advanced sensor delivery platform, proprietary products-including electro-optical, hyperspectral and synthetic aperture radar sensors-and other products that we manufacture and integrate with hardware and software to meet unique and evolving intelligence mission requirements.

Our solutions focus on Intelligence Community (IC) customers, including the National Security Agency (NSA), the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), the Army Geospatial Center (AGC) and other agencies within the IC and Department of Defense (DoD). In addition, we provide products and services to U.S. federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, foreign governments and other entities in the Cyber and Counterterrorism markets. Our acquisition of Sotera on April 4, 2017, provides new and enhanced access to agencies within the IC and DoD. Sotera adds high-priority new customer agencies to KeyW’s existing IC portfolio, including Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) customers, and creates additional inroads at new areas of the DoD (e.g., Army Intelligence). We believe the combination of our advanced solutions, understanding of our customers’ mission; longstanding and successful customer relationships; operational capabilities; and highly skilled, cleared workforce will help expand our footprint in our core markets.

Critical Accounting Policies

The following are the critical accounting policies that require us to make sensitive estimates and assumptions, or that regard matters where further detail will assist the reader in better understanding our business and the results of our operations. We have additional accounting policies included in our audited financial statements contained in Item 15 of this Form 10-K.

The policies that we have included below include:


•	Revenue Recognition


•	Goodwill


•	Income Taxes

Revenue Recognition

We derive the majority of our revenue from cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-award-fee, time-and-materials, and firm-fixed-price contracts.

Revenue from cost reimbursable contracts is recorded as reimbursable costs are incurred, including an estimated share of the applicable contractual fees earned. For performance-based fees under cost reimbursable contracts, we recognize the relevant portion of the expected fee to be awarded by the client at the time such fee can be reasonably estimated, based on factors such as prior award experience and communications with the client regarding performance. For time-and-materials contracts, revenue is recognized based on billable rates times hours delivered plus materials and other reimbursable costs incurred. For firm-fixed-price service contracts, revenue is recognized using the proportional performance based on the estimated total costs of the project or percentage of completion. For fixed-price production contracts, revenue and cost are recognized at a rate per unit as the units are delivered or by other methods to measure services provided. This method of accounting requires estimating the total revenues and total contract costs of the contract. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 there were no material adjustments recorded related to revised contract estimates.

In certain circumstances, and based on correspondence with the end customer, management authorizes work to commence or to continue on a contract option, addition or amendment prior to the signing of formal modifications or amendments. We recognize revenue to the extent it is probable that the formal modifications or amendments will be finalized in a timely manner and that it is probable that the revenue recognized will be collected. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 there were no material modifications recorded related to work previously performed on projects prior to the execution of formal modifications or amendments.

Goodwill

Purchase price in excess of the fair value of tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination is recorded as goodwill. The Company tests for impairment at least annually, during the beginning of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit's carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit.

At our election we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, based on our review of qualitative factors, it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a quantitative impairment test to identify goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized (if any) by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, using a combination of income and market approaches. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. As a result of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, if we determine the that goodwill is impaired we are no longer required to compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill, which is commonly referred to as Step 2.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is a judgment involving significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates, operating margins and working capital requirements used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, selected multiples, control premiums and future economic and market conditions. We have based our fair value estimates on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. The Company evaluated goodwill at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 and found no impairment to the carrying value of goodwill from continuing operations.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset-and-liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enacted date. In evaluating our ability to realize our deferred tax assets, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including cumulative historic earnings, reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected taxable income, and tax planning strategies. The assumptions utilized in evaluating both positive and negative evidence require the use of significant judgment concerning our business plans.

For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company initially and subsequently measures the tax liability or benefit as the largest amount that it judges to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. The effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax obligations or benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by management. The Company's policy is to record interest and penalties as an increase in the liability for uncertain tax obligations or benefits and a corresponding increase to the income tax provision. No material adjustments were recorded as of December 31, 2017, 2016, or 2015.

Results of Operations



CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW (In thousands)	Year ended December 31, 2017					Year ended December 31, 2016					Year ended December 31, 2015
Revenue	$	441,586		100.0	%	$	288,027		100.0	%	$	297,935		100.0	%
Cost of revenue, excluding amortization	331,629			75.1	%	196,772			68.3	%	208,206			69.9	%
Operating Expenses	103,973			23.5	%	71,434			24.8	%	66,512			22.3	%
Intangible Amortization	11,416			2.6	%	6,113			2.1	%	7,087			2.4	%
Interest expense, net	17,015			3.9	%	10,812			3.8	%	10,299			3.5	%
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense, net on Continuing Operations	(11,060		)	(2.5	)%	2,457			0.9	%	35,782			12.0	%
Net Loss on Discontinued Operations	—			—	%	(27,593		)	(9.6	)%	(28,712		)	(9.6	)%

Revenue

Revenue increased by $153.6 million, or 53.3%, in 2017 as compared to 2016. The revenue increase is primarily attributable to contracts acquired through the acquisition of Sotera, growth in our airborne ISR solutions business, and higher advanced geospatial

intelligence products and solutions sales, partially offset by the completion of certain solutions contracts and the divestiture of our systems engineering and technical assistance (SETA) business in the first quarter of 2016.

Revenue decreased by $9.9 million, or 3.3%, in 2016 as compared to 2015. Excluding the contribution of the divested SETA business from both periods, revenue was essentially flat on a year-over-year basis. In addition to the SETA divestiture, revenue was impacted by growth in our airborne ISR business, higher advanced geospatial intelligence products and solutions sales, increased government cyber training initiatives and increased revenue from other solutions contracts, which was offset by certain solutions contracts that ended in the second quarter of 2016.

Cost of revenue, excluding amortization

Cost of revenue, excluding amortization, increased by $134.9 million for 2017 compared with 2016. The increase in the cost of revenue, excluding amortization, was driven largely by the increase in revenue. The increase in cost of revenue, excluding amortization, as a percentage of total revenue was primarily due to the contracts acquired through the Sotera acquisition, increased costs related to the growth in our airborne ISR solutions business, and the completion of certain higher-margin solutions contracts, as well as lower contract margins on a large follow-on services solutions program.

Cost of revenue, excluding amortization, decreased by $11.4 million for 2016 as compared with 2015. The decrease in cost of revenue, excluding amortization, as a percentage of total revenue was primarily due to a change in our revenue mix towards our higher-margin airborne ISR business, and higher advanced geospatial intelligence products and solutions sales.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses for 2017 increased by $32.5 million and decreased slightly as a percentage of revenue compared to 2016. The increase is due primarily to the addition of Sotera to our financial results from the closing of the Sotera acquisition on April 4, 2017, as well as $21.0 million of acquisition-related and other expenses, and higher stock-based compensation.

Our operating expense for 2016 increased by $4.9 million and as a percentage of revenue as compared to 2015. The increase was due primarily to higher indirect expenses, including higher business development costs and other general and administrative expenses.

Intangible Amortization

Intangible amortization expense increased $5.3 million in 2017 as compared to 2016. The increase was primarily a result of additional amortization related to the Sotera acquisition.

Intangible amortization expense decreased by $1.0 million in 2016 as compared to 2015. The decrease was primarily due to certain intangibles from prior acquisitions becoming fully amortized during the period.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net, increased $6.2 million for 2017 as compared to 2016. The increase in interest expense, net, was due primarily to higher interest expense related to borrowings under the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Loan Facility.

Interest expense, net, increased by $0.5 million for 2016 as compared with 2015. The increase in interest expense, net, is primarily due to amending our 2014 Credit Agreement during in 2016 and writing off $0.3 million of unamortized deferred financing costs.

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense, net on Continuing Operations

The effective tax rate for continuing operations was 50.2%, 56.8% and 609.4% for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act tax reform legislation. This legislation made significant changes in U.S. tax law including a reduction in the corporate tax rates, changes to net operating loss carryforwards and carrybacks, limitation of the tax deduction for interest expense, and a repeal of the corporate alternative minimum tax. The legislation reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate from the current rate of 35% to 21%. As a result of the enacted law, the Company was required to revalue deferred tax assets and liability at the enacted rate. This revaluation resulted in the Company recording a benefit of $12.4 million to income tax through continuing operations and a corresponding reduction in the deferred tax liability. The revaluation also resulted in an adjustment to the value of deferred tax assets and liabilities and a corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance. Additionally, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6.2 million as management has reassessed the ability to offset certain indefinite lived deferred tax liabilities with deferred tax assets, reducing the Company’s need for a valuation allowance by the portion of deferred tax assets that are expected to have indefinite lives under the new law.

The Company has recorded provisional estimates for valuation allowance reversal to certain state deferred tax assets based upon existing state tax law conformity to federal tax laws. Management will continue to monitor state legislative actions in states where it files during 2018. The provisional estimates for state valuation allowance may change to the extent any state legislature modifies its conformity to the Tax Act. In other areas of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that had an impact, the Company was able to make reasonable estimates and has recorded provisional amounts. There are no material elements of the Tax Act for which the Company was unable to make a reasonable estimate. The Company expects to finalize its assessment during the one year measurement period as prescribed by the Staff Accounting Bulletin 118.

The Company's effective tax rate for 2017 differers from the statutory rate due to the impact of the tax legislation, partial release of the valuation allowance in the fourth quart of 2017 and the current year movement of the indefinite lived intangible deferred tax liability. The Company’s effective tax rate for 2016 differs from statutory rates due to the Company’s inability to offset its indefinite lived intangible deferred tax expense against deferred tax assets in association with the recording of the valuation allowance movement.

The effective tax rate for 2015 is significantly different from statutory rates due to the recording of the valuation allowance on substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets. The provision for income tax for 2015 included the recording of a net valuation allowance of $19.6 million as a discrete item. The valuation allowance was established due to the uncertainty of the utilization of deferred tax assets in future periods. The valuation allowance established in 2015 is still in effect as we currently believe it unlikely that we will realize a significant portion of our deferred tax asset.

Loss on Discontinued Operations

Loss on discontinued operations decreased by $27.6 million for 2017. The decrease in loss was solely the result of the sale of Hexis Cyber Solutions product lines in the second quarter of 2016.

Loss on discontinued operations for 2016 was $27.6 million, which in addition to losses from operations, was driven by a $5.5 million pre-tax loss on the disposal of the Hexis Cyber Solutions product line and a $7.0 million goodwill impairment charge. The loss on discontinued operations decreased $1.1 million, or 4% for 2016 compared to 2015. The largest drivers of the decrease were related to cost-saving measures put in place in January 2016 and the sale of Hexis Cyber Solutions product lines in the second quarter of 2016.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2017, we had approximately $17.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. Our working capital, defined as current assets minus current liabilities, was $42.8 million, which represents a decrease of approximately $25.1 million from December 31, 2016. The decrease in working capital is primarily due to the use of assets for the acquisition and subsequent integration of Sotera.

Cash from Operations

Operations provided approximately $10.2 million in cash during 2017, a decrease of $12.9 million as compared to 2016. The decrease was primarily due to timing of our collections of receivables and increased cash expenses related to the acquisition and

integration of Sotera. A number of non-cash adjustments contributed to our net loss in 2017, including intangible amortization, depreciation, stock compensation expense, and amortization of convertible debt discount. Intangible amortization was approximately $11.4 million in 2017. Stock compensation expense was $4.2 million in 2017. Depreciation expense for 2017 was $8.9 million. Our need for additional working capital will be determined by our method and volume of growth. Growing through self-performed labor will require more working capital than growing using subcontractors, but we expect self-performed labor will be a more profitable alternative than using subcontractors.

Operations provided approximately $23.1 million in cash during 2016, an increase of $10.8 million as compared to 2015. The increase was primarily due to timing of our collections of receivables. A number of non-cash adjustments contributed to our net loss in 2016, including intangible amortization, depreciation, goodwill impairment charges, stock compensation expense, amortization of convertible debt discount and changes in our deferred taxes. Intangible amortization from continuing operations was approximately $6.1 million in 2016. Stock compensation expense was $3.5 million in 2016. Depreciation expense from continuing operations for 2016 was $6.4 million.

Cash Flow from Investing

On April 4, 2017, we completed the acquisition of Sotera in a $235.9 million, net of cash acquired, all-cash transaction. The Sotera acquisition was funded through a combination of cash on hand and through borrowings from the new credit facility, discussed below in Cash Flow from Financing.

During 2016 we received $16.2 million in cash resulting from the divestiture of our SETA and the Hexis Cyber Solutions businesses. We spent approximately $9.8 million in cash to acquire four planes to help meet the needs of our expanding ISR business. We also spent approximately $2.5 million in cash to acquire a geospatial intelligence collection business.

Cash Flow from Financing

During 2017 we received $84.6 million of net proceeds from our January 2017 offering of common stock. Also on April 4, 2017, we entered into a $135 million term loan facility (the “2017 Term Loan Facility”) and a $50 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Loan Facility”). At December 31, 2017, we had $131.6 million in borrowings under the 2017 Term Loan Facility and zero outstanding under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility.

Convertible Notes

During the third quarter of 2014, we issued $149.5 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's 2.50% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2019 (the "Notes") pursuant to an underwriting agreement, dated July 16, 2014. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.50% per annum on the principal amount, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2015, to holders of record at the close of business on the preceding January 1 and July 1, respectively. The Notes mature on July 15, 2019, unless earlier repurchased or converted. The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to their stated maturity date.

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank equal in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The Notes will be senior in right of payment to any existing or future indebtedness that is subordinated by its terms. The Notes are structurally subordinated to all liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries and are effectively junior to the secured indebtedness of the Company to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

Holders may convert their Notes under the following conditions at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 15, 2019, in multiples of $1,000 principal amount, under the following circumstances:

•

during any calendar quarter (and only during such calendar quarter) commencing after the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2014, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price for the Notes on each applicable trading day;


•	during the five-business day period immediately after any five consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for each trading day of that period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of Company common stock and the conversion rate for the Notes for each such trading day; or


•	upon the occurrence of specified corporate events as described in the Indenture.

In addition, holders may convert their Notes at their option at any time on or after January 15, 2019 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the stated maturity date of the Notes, without regard to the foregoing circumstances.

Upon conversion, the Company will settle the Notes in cash, shares of Company common stock or a combination of cash and shares of Company common stock, at the Company’s election. The Notes have an initial conversion rate of 67.41 shares of common shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes, which is equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $14.83 per common share. The conversion price is subject to adjustments upon the occurrence of certain specified events as set forth in the Indenture.

In addition, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture), holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase the Notes at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

Capped Call Transactions

During the third quarter of 2014 in conjunction with the issuance of the Notes, the Company paid approximately $18.4 million to enter into capped call transactions with respect to its common shares (the "Capped Call Transactions"), with certain financial institutions. The Capped Call Transactions generally are expected to reduce the potential dilution to the Company's common stock upon conversion of the Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of any converted Notes, as the case may be, in the event that the market price of the common stock is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call Transactions, initially set at $14.83, with such reduction of potential dilution subject to a cap based on the cap

price, which is initially set at $19.38. The strike price and cap price are subject to anti-dilution adjustments under the terms of the Capped Call Transactions.

The Capped Call Transactions are separate transactions entered into by and between the Company and the Counterparties and are not part of the terms of the Notes. Holders of the Notes will not have any rights with respect to Capped Call Transactions.

2017 Credit Facility

On April 4, 2017, we entered into (a) the $135 million 2017 Term Loan Facility and (b) the $50 million 2017 Revolving Credit Facility, the terms of which are set forth in a Credit Agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”), dated as of April 4, 2017 (the “Closing Date”), by and among Opco, as borrower, the Company, the several lenders party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”), as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Agent”), and RBC Capital Markets, as lead arranger and bookrunner. The 2017 Credit Agreement replaced the 2014 Credit Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of the 2017 Credit Agreement, on April 4, 2017, we borrowed an aggregate of $135 million under the Term Loan Facility (the “Term Loan Proceeds”) and an aggregate of $10 million under the Revolving Loan Facility (the “Revolver Proceeds”).

Use of Proceeds

The Term Loan Proceeds were used (i) to pay, directly or indirectly, the purchase price of our previously announced acquisition of Sotera (ii) to refinance, repay or terminate, including discharging and releasing all security and guaranties in respect of, and the termination and unwinding of any interest rate hedging agreements in connection therewith, certain of our and Sotera’s and its subsidiaries’ existing third party indebtedness for borrowed money (the “Refinancing”); and (iii) to pay related transaction fees and expenses.

The Revolver Proceeds were used to fund upfront fees required to be paid on the Closing Date. The proceeds of any borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility made after the Closing Date will be available for any purpose not prohibited by the terms of the 2017 Credit Agreement.

Interest Rates

Borrowings under the 2017 Credit Agreement were and will be incurred in U.S. Dollars. All borrowings under the Credit Agreement may, at our option, be incurred as either eurodollar loans (Eurodollar Loans) or base rate loans (Base Rate Loans).

Eurodollar Loans will accrue interest, for any interest period, at (a) the Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the 2017 Credit Agreement) plus (b) an applicable margin of 3.75%.

Base Rate Loans will accrue interest, for any interest period, at (a) a base rate per annum equal to the highest of (i) the Federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (ii) the prime commercial lending rate announced by the Royal Bank of Canada from time to time as its prime lending rate and (iii) the Eurodollar Rate for a one month interest period plus 1.00%, plus (b) an applicable margin of 2.75%.

The applicable margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be decreased if our consolidated net leverage ratio decreases.

Maturity Dates

On December 21, 2017, the 2017 Credit Agreement was amended such that the 2017 Credit Facility matures on the earlier of (i) the five-year anniversary of the Closing Date, or (ii) the date that is 91 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Company’s 2.50% convertible senior notes due 2019, unless such notes are converted into equity or otherwise repaid or refinanced. The convertible senior notes are scheduled to mature on July 15, 2019.

Payments

The Company can voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the 2017 Credit Facility at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage costs with respect to Eurodollar loans. The Term Loan Facility will require scheduled quarterly payments in an amount equal to:


•	1.25% for the quarters ending September 30, 2017 through June 30, 2019;


•	1.875% for the quarters ending September 30, 2019 through June 30, 2021; and


•	2.50% for the quarters ending September 30, 2021 through March 31, 2022, with the remaining balance payable on the maturity date.

Mandatory Prepayments

Amounts outstanding under the 2017 Credit Agreement will be subject to mandatory prepayments, subject to customary exceptions, from the net cash proceeds to us from certain asset sales or recovery events.

Certain Covenants and Events of Default

The 2017 Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants that are customary for credit agreements of this nature. The negative covenants include, among other things, limitations on asset sales, mergers and acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, investments and transactions with affiliates. The 2017 Credit Agreement contains two financial covenants: (i) a maximum total leverage ratio of consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and other adjustments described in the Credit Agreement (consolidated EBITDA) for the trailing four consecutive quarters of (a) 5.50 to 1.00 for any period ending on or prior to June 30, 2017; (b) 5.00 to 1.00 for any period thereafter ending on or prior to December 31, 2019; and (c) 4.50 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter; and (ii) a minimum interest coverage ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense for the trailing four consecutive quarters of 3:00 to 1:00.

The 2017 Credit Agreement includes customary events of default that include, among other things, non-payment defaults, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross default to material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency defaults, material judgment defaults, ERISA defaults and a change of control default. The occurrence of an event of default could result in the acceleration of the obligations under the 2017 Credit Agreement and cross-default our other indebtedness.

At December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants under our 2017 Credit Facility.

Security

Our obligations under the 2017 Credit Agreement are secured by a pledge of substantially all of our and each other guarantors’ assets, including a pledge of the equity interests in certain of Opco’s domestic and first-tier foreign subsidiaries, subject to customary exceptions.

Outlook

We expect cash on hand, operating cash flow, and access to our line of credit will provide sufficient liquidity for fiscal 2018. We expect that our 2018 cash flow from operations will be positive. The manner in which we staff our contracts will impact the degree of working capital investment required to fuel our growth. Included in our net income are several significant non-cash transactions that would be add-backs to net income when calculating our cash flow from operations, including stock compensation expense, amortization of intangibles and depreciation of fixed assets.

After we went public in 2010, employees and investors began to exercise their options and warrants. Some of these exercises were done cashlessly, but other exercises were done by paying cash for their shares. We are unable to forecast what the employee and investor activity will be in 2018 with regard to these instruments. The total potential cash inflows from these instruments if all exercised for cash would be approximately $10 million.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments



	Total		Less than one year		1 – 3 years		3 – 5 years		More than 5 years
	(In thousands)
Facilities/Office space	$	54,918	$	12,390	$	16,932	$	14,034	$	11,562
Office equipment	515		358		157		—		—
Total Operating Leases	55,433		12,748		17,089		14,034		11,562
Convertible Senior Notes	149,500		—		149,500		—		—
Term Loan Facility⁽¹⁾	131,625		6,750		124,875		—		—
Total Contractual Obligations	$	336,558	$	19,498	$	291,464	$	14,034	$	11,562

(1) The Term Loan Facility matures matures on the date that is 91 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of our convertible senior notes which mature on July 15, 2019, unless such notes are converted into equity or otherwise repaid or refinanced. Thus, unless repaid or refinanced, our senior credit facility matures on April 15, 2019. The convertible senior notes are scheduled to mature on July 15, 2019.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off balance sheet arrangements.


Item 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our financial position is exposed to several risks including interest rate risk and credit risk. We do not use any derivative financial instruments to manage currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, equity market or commodity price risk.

Currency Exchange Rates

We currently do not have any material foreign currency risk, and accordingly estimate that an immediate 10% change in foreign exchange rates would not have a material impact on our results from operations.

Interest Rates

Our exposure to market risk relates to changes in interest rates for borrowings under our 2017 Credit Facility. A hypothetical 1% increase in interest rates would have increased our interest expense by approximately $1.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, and likewise decreased our income and cash flows.

Equity Price Risk

We do not currently own nor have we ever owned any marketable equity investments to include marketable equity securities and equity derivative instruments such as warrants and options. Therefore, since we do not currently own investments that are subject to market price volatility, our equity price risk is very low.


Item 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See Item 15(a)(1) in Part IV of this Form 10-K.


Item 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.


Item 9A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our filings and submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Such controls include those designed to ensure that information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

An evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the CEO and CFO, on the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that due to material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting described below under Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2017.

In light of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, we engaged significant internal and external resources to perform supplemental procedures prior to filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These additional procedures have allowed us to conclude that, notwithstanding the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, the consolidated financial statements included in this report fairly present, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, we assessed our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, the end of our fiscal year. Management based its assessment on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). Our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting included testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of our internal controls. Based on this assessment, management has concluded that due to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2017. We reviewed the results of management's assessment with the audit committee of our board of directors.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

As part of its evaluation of internal control over financial reporting described above, management identified the following deficiencies that individually, or in the aggregate, constituted material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017:

•

Ineffective Control Environment - The Company’s control environment did not sufficiently promote internal controls over financial reporting. Specifically, management failed to properly evaluate competence across the accounting department and in outsourced service providers to support the achievement of the Company’s control objectives and establish adequate mechanisms to communicate and hold individuals accountable for performance of internal control responsibilities and implement corrective action as necessary. The Company’s failure to establish an effective control environment contributed to other material weaknesses including:

◦

Management’s review of its accounting for the purchase price allocation and amortization of intangibles related to its acquisition of Sotera did not adequately address the risk that incorrect forecast assumptions were incorporated into the Company’s acquired intangible asset valuation model used for accounting purposes. The deficiency resulted in a material error that was corrected within the fiscal year.


◦	Management failed to accurately assess certain non-routine events in order to properly evaluate the impact of those transactions on the Company’s financial statements.


◦	As previously disclosed in our FY 2016 financial statements, the Company did not have adequate controls in place to properly evaluate, and account for, complex or unusual revenue arrangements and apply the appropriate revenue recognition guidance in accordance with GAAP.


◦	Management failed to perform timely controls over the existence of the Company’s fixed assets.

•

Ineffective Control Activities - The Company’s control activities did not sufficiently establish policies and procedures to design effective controls, establish responsibilities to execute these policies and procedures and hold individuals accountable for performance of these responsibilities. The Company had multiple control deficiencies and significant deficiencies aggregating to a material weakness over ineffective control activities.

The control deficiencies create a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement to the consolidated financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis in the future, and therefore we concluded that the deficiencies represent a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is committed to the planning and implementation of remediation efforts to address the material weaknesses. These remediation efforts, summarized below, which have been implemented or are in process of implementation are intended to both address the identified material weaknesses and to enhance our overall financial control environment and control activities. In this regard, our initiatives include:

•

Enhancements to the Company’s control environment - The Company has identified and is in the process of implementing several enhancements including: (i) the evaluation of competence of all current accounting personnel, including outsourced service providers, to support achievement of the Company’s control objectives; (ii) the creation of a new position, Technical Accounting Director, which is in the process of being filled and will be responsible for reviewing and monitoring all unique, complex, and/or significant accounting transactions; (iii) the creation of a new position, Manager of Internal Controls, who will be responsible for overseeing the design of controls, remediation of prior control deficiencies, and enhancement of control activities; (iv) development of comprehensive training and development program for senior-level management, control owners and accounting personnel; (v) establishment of an Internal Controls Council (ICC) that will include key control owners across the organization and will directly enforce accountability and ownership over internal control responsibilities; (vi) enforce adherence to a quarterly sub-certification of internal controls by key control owners; (vii) continue to evaluate the effectiveness of control owners’ remediation of internal controls; and (viii) continue to evaluate the resources required to right-size the accounting and financial reporting, internal audit, and information technology functions.

•

Enhancement to the Company’s control activities - The Company has identified specific actions to be implemented during the first half of FY 2018 in support of improving the performance over internal control activities including: (i) development of a detailed accounting close checklist that identifies control owners, responsibilities for effectively performing controls, and requirements for timely completion of those activities and; (ii) implementation of automated workflows to reduce reliance on manual processes in support of timely and effective control activities.

When fully implemented and operational, we believe the measures described above will remediate the material weaknesses we have identified and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting. Additional controls may also be required over time. Until the remediation steps set forth above are fully implemented and tested, the material weaknesses described above will continue to exist.

Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, who also audited our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as stated in their reports, which appear with our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company acquired Sotera on April 4, 2017. As permitted by the SEC, we have excluded Sotera from our assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Other than the material weaknesses and ongoing remediation efforts described above, there were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15-d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system's objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.


Item 9B.	OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III


Item 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE