FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

NOTE 8: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting standards establish a three-level fair value hierarchy based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to price assets or liabilities. The hierarchy requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are listed below.

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1, such as quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets in inactive markets.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions and best estimate of what inputs market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The carrying value and estimated fair value of our cash equivalents, which consist of short-term money market funds, are classified as Level 1. There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the six months ended June 30, 2014. In connection with the acquisition of Minus 10 we established a liability related to potential contingent consideration that is considered to be a Level 3 liability. This liability was valued using unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value. Such unobservable inputs include financial forecasts prepared by management which include estimates of future cash flows, projected profit and loss information, and discount rates.

The fair values of our derivative financial instruments have been categorized as Level 2 due to the fact that the forward and spot curves for one-month LIBOR, an active market, are observable for the full term of the respective derivative contracts. The fair value of the interest rate swap was estimated using the income model and market based models. The fair value of the interest rate cap agreement was estimated using the Black option pricing model.

For fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, our accounting and finance management, who report to executive management, determine our valuation policies and procedures. The development and determination of unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements and fair value calculations are the responsibility of our accounting and finance management and are approved by the principal financial officer. Fair value calculations are generally prepared with the assistance of third-party valuation experts who rely on discussions with management in addition to the use of management’s assumptions and estimates as they relate to the assets or liabilities in Level 3. Such assumptions and estimates include such inputs as estimates of future cash flows, projected profit and loss information, discount rates, and assumptions as they relate to future pertinent events. Through regular interaction with the third-party valuation experts, finance and accounting management determine that the valuation techniques used and inputs and outputs of the models reflect the requirements of accounting standards as they relate to fair value measurements. Changes in fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are analyzed each period based on changes in estimates or assumptions and recorded as appropriate. As of June 30, 2014 our assets or liabilities that were measured and recorded at estimated fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:

			Estimated Fair Value Measurements
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring	Carrying		Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Basis	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(in thousands)
June 30, 2014:
Assets:
Interest rate cap	$	1	—		$	1	—

Liabilities:
Interest rate swap	$	1,387	—		$	1,387	—

Acquisition-related liability	$	992	—		—		$	992

December 31, 2013:
Assets:
Interest rate cap	$	27	$	—	$	27	$	—

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying value of our trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, certain other liabilities, deferred acquisition price liabilities and capital leases approximated fair value. The amounts outstanding under our Credit Agreement as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, approximated fair value due to the borrowing rates currently available to us for debt with similar terms and are classified as Level 2. The fair value of the amount outstanding under our Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2013 of $299.3 million was previously disclosed as $302.3 million.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s option based derivative instruments as described in Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were determined via the Black option pricing model which utilizes certain observable inputs including the forward and spot curves for the underlying 1 month LIBOR and the estimated volatility for the 1 month LIBOR over the remaining terms of the agreements. The estimated fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap, a derivative financial instrument, was determined via the income and market approaches utilizing certain observable inputs including the forward and spot curves for the underlying 1 month LIBOR over the remaining term of the agreement. Based on these characteristics these derivative instruments are classified as level 2. The fair values of the derivative instruments are subject to material changes based upon changes in the forward curve for 1 month LIBOR and the volatility thereof.

The following table represents the change in the acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation during the three months ended June 30, 2014 (there was no activity in Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2014):

	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)

Beginning balance March 31, 2014	$	—
Increase in fair value related to Minus 10 acquisition	933
Increase in fair value related to accretion of obligation	59
Ending balance June 30, 2014	$	992

The carrying value of the Minus 10 contingent consideration was based on management’s estimate of projected profit and loss over the measurement period and an applied discount rate of 25% which is reflective of the inherent risk attributable to this new product line given its status as an early-stage venture. Subsequent fair value changes, measured quarterly, up to the ultimate amount paid, will be recognized in earnings. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, accreted interest expense was $0.1 million which is included in “Interest expense” on the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References+ Details