COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Acquisition related

The Company has a contingent liability related to the acquisition of Simena in November 2011 for future consideration to be paid to the former seller which had an initial fair value of $8.0 million at the time of acquisition. At March 31, 2017, the present value of the future consideration was $4.8 million.

In addition, the Company has a contingent liability for $660 thousand related to the acquisition of Avvasi in August 2016 for which an escrow account was established to cover damages NetScout suffers related to any liabilities that NetScout did not agree to assume or as a result of the breach of representations and warranties of the seller as described in the asset purchase agreement. Generally, indemnification claims that Avvasi would be liable for are limited to the total amount of the escrow account, which shall be the sole source for the satisfaction of any damages to the Company for such claims, but such limitation does not apply with respect to seller's breach of certain fundamental representations or related to other specified indemnity items, for which certain of Avvasi's shareholders may be liable for additional amounts in excess of the escrow amount. Except to the extent that valid indemnification claims are made prior to such time, the $660 thousand will be paid to the seller on August 21, 2017.

Legal

From time to time, NetScout is subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate expense with respect to any current legal proceedings and claims, if determined adversely, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Unconditional purchase obligations

At March 31, 2017, the Company had unconditional purchase obligations of $32.2 million, which represent estimated open purchase orders to purchase inventory as well as commitments for products and services used in the normal course of business.

Leases

NetScout leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases. Total rent expense under the leases was $13.8 million, $12.8 million and $5.9 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

At March 31, 2017, future non-cancelable minimum lease commitments (including office space, copiers and automobiles) are as follows (in thousands):



Year Ending March 31,
2018	$	13,992
2019	8,062
2020	5,984
2021	4,244
2022	3,437
Remaining years	3,967
Total minimum lease payments	$	39,686