Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 26, 2019

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 replaces numerous requirements in GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provides companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Under the new standard, the two permitted transition methods are the full retrospective method and the modified retrospective method. The full retrospective method requires the standard to be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the standard to be recognized at the earliest period shown. The modified retrospective method requires the cumulative effect of applying the standard to be recognized at the date of initial application. Effective January 28, 2018, the Company adopted the requirements of ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective method. As a practical expedient, the Company adopted the new standard only for existing contracts as of January 28, 2018, the date of adoption. Any contracts that had expired prior to January 28, 2018 were not evaluated against the new standard. The Company believes its application of the new standard to only those contracts existing as of January 28, 2018 did not have a material impact on adoption.

In accordance with the guidance under ASU 2014-09, the Company reclassified $311.7 million of unbilled receivables from contract assets (historically referred to as Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings) to accounts receivable, net as of January 28, 2018, the date of the Company’s adoption. As a result of the reclassification, accounts receivable, net and contract assets were $630.4 million and $57.8 million, respectively, as of January 28, 2018. The reclassification was a non-cash activity between contract assets and accounts receivable, net and did not impact net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. The impact of adoption on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of January 26, 2019 was as follows, including both current and non-current balances (dollars in thousands):



	January 26, 2019
	As reported		Balances Without Adoption of ASU 2014-09		Effect of Change
Assets
Accounts receivable, net	$	625,258	$	341,795	$	283,463
Contract assets	215,849		499,312		(283,463		)

The adoption of ASU 2014-09 resulted in balance sheet classification changes for amounts that have not been invoiced to customers but for which the Company has satisfied the performance obligation and has an unconditional right to receive payment. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2014-09, amounts not yet invoiced to customers were included in the Company’s contract assets (historically referred to as Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings). These amounts represent unbilled accounts receivable for which the Company has an unconditional right to receive payment although invoicing is subject to the completion of certain process or other requirements. Such requirements may include the passage of time, completion of other items within a statement of work, or other contractual billing requirements.

The standard did not impact the opening retained earnings of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet or the Company’s consolidated statement of operations as timing and amount of revenue recognized under the new standard was unchanged as compared to the Company’s historical revenue recognition practices.

Restricted Cash. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 is intended to reduce diversity in practice regarding the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash within the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update require that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts of cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 effective January 28, 2018, the first day of fiscal 2019, and applied this change of presentation retrospectively to the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows. As a result of the retrospective adoption, the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts of cash and cash equivalents have been restated to include restricted cash of $6.2 million, $5.4 million, $5.0 million, and $4.5 million as of January 27, 2018, July 29, 2017, July 30, 2016, and July 25, 2015, respectively. Restricted cash primarily relates to funding provisions of the Company’s insurance program.

Statement of Cash Flows. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in practice regarding the classification of certain transactions within the statement of cash flows and addresses eight specific topics including, among other things, the classification of cash flows related to debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs. Under the amended guidance, cash payments for debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs are classified as financing activities, whereas historically, the Company has classified such cash flows as operating activities. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 effective January 28, 2018, the first day of fiscal 2019 on a retrospective basis as required. As a result of the retrospective adoption, payments of certain debt extinguishment costs of $14.2 million have been reclassified from operating activities to financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows for the fiscal year ended July 30, 2016.

The Company also adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates during fiscal 2019, neither of which had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements:



ASU		Adoption Date
2016-16	Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory	January 28, 2018
2017-01	Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business	January 28, 2018

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”) which is intended to increase transparency and comparability of accounting for lease transactions. For all leases with terms greater than twelve months, the new guidance will require lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet and to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about lease transactions. The new standard maintains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. As a result, the effect of leases in the statement of operations and statement of cash flows is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for the Company for the fiscal year ended January 25, 2020 and interim reporting periods within that year. The Company will adopt the guidance using the transition provisions at the date of adoption instead of at the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Accordingly, comparative financial statements for periods prior to the date of adoption will not be adjusted. The Company has evaluated the impact of applying the practical expedients and expects to elect the group of practical expedients that allow it to not reassess the following: whether any expired or existing contracts represent leases, the classification of any expired or existing leases, and the initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases. The Company will not elect the use of hindsight practical expedient.

The Company has substantially completed its evaluation of the effect of ASU 2016-02 on its systems, business processes, controls, disclosures, and consolidated financial statements, and has implemented a lease accounting and administration software in connection with the new standard. On adoption, the Company currently expects to recognize right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities ranging from $70.0 million to $75.0 million on its consolidated balance sheet for its operating leases with terms greater than twelve months. The Company does not expect a material impact to its consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, or cash flows. These expectations may change as the Company’s assessment is finalized.

Goodwill. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment testing. An entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Instead, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU 2017-04 will be effective for the Company for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 and interim reporting periods within that year. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company expects the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. This approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company’s effective income tax rate differs from the statutory rate for the tax jurisdictions where it operates primarily as the result of the impact of non-deductible and non-taxable items, tax credits recognized in relation to pre-tax results, certain tax impacts from the vesting and exercise of share-based awards, and certain tax impacts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”). Tax Reform had a substantial impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the 2018 transition period. See Note 14, Income Taxes, for further information.

Measurement of the Company’s tax position is based on the applicable statutes, federal and state case law, and its interpretations of tax regulations. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent it believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all relevant factors, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In the event the Company determines that it would be able to realize deferred income tax assets in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would adjust the valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC Topic 740”), the Company recognizes tax benefits in the amount that it deems more likely than not will be realized upon ultimate settlement of any tax uncertainty. Tax positions that fail to qualify for recognition are recognized during the period in which the more-likely-than-not standard has been reached, when the tax positions are resolved with the respective taxing authority or when the statute of limitations for tax examination has expired. The Company recognizes applicable interest related to tax amounts in interest expense and penalties within general and administrative expenses.

The Company believes its provision for income taxes is adequate; however, any assessment would affect the Company’s results of operations and cash flows. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or Canadian income tax examinations for fiscal years ended 2014 and prior.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangibles in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (“ASC Topic 350”). Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed annually for impairment, or more frequently if events occur that would indicate a potential reduction in the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill at the reporting unit level. Each of the Company’s operating segments with goodwill represents a reporting unit for the purpose of assessing impairment. If the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets is less than their carrying value as a result of an annual or interim test, an impairment loss is recognized and reflected in operating income or loss in the consolidated statements of operations during the period incurred.

The Company has historically completed its annual goodwill impairment assessment as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of each year. As a result of the change in the Company’s fiscal year end, the annual goodwill impairment assessment date was changed to the first day of the fiscal quarter ending on the last Saturday in January, as this became the first day of the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter. The change in the annual goodwill impairment assessment date is deemed a change in accounting principle, which the Company believes to be preferable as the change was made to better align the annual goodwill impairment test with the change in the Company’s annual planning and budgeting process related to the new fiscal year end. This change in accounting principle did not delay, accelerate or avoid a goodwill impairment charge and had no effect on the consolidated financial statements, including any cumulative effect on retained earnings.

In accordance with ASC Topic 360, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company reviews finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability is determined based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of an asset and its eventual disposition. Should an asset not be recoverable, an impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying value. If the Company determines the fair value of an asset is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized in operating income or loss in the consolidated statements of operations during the period incurred.

The Company uses judgment in assessing whether goodwill and intangible assets are impaired. Estimates of fair value are based on the Company’s projection of revenues, operating costs, and cash flows taking into consideration historical and anticipated future results, general economic and market conditions, as well as the impact of planned business or operational strategies. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units using a weighing of fair values derived in equal proportions from the income approach and market approach valuation methodologies. The income approach uses the discounted cash flow method and the market approach uses the guideline company method. Changes in the Company’s judgments and projections could result in significantly different estimates of fair value, potentially resulting in impairments of goodwill and other intangible assets. The inputs used for fair value measurements of the reporting units and other related indefinite-lived intangible assets are the lowest level (Level 3) inputs. See Note 10, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information regarding the Company’s annual assessment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets.

Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable, Net. The Company grants credit to its customers, generally without collateral, under normal payment terms (typically 30 to 90 days after invoicing). Generally, invoicing occurs within 45 days after the related services are performed. Accounts receivable represents an unconditional right to consideration arising from the Company’s performance under contracts with customers. Accounts receivable include billed accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable, and retainage. The carrying value of such receivables, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, represents their estimated realizable value. Unbilled accounts receivable represent amounts the Company has an unconditional right to receive payment for although invoicing is subject to the completion of certain process or other requirements. Such requirements may include the passage of time, completion of other items within a statement of work, or other contractual billing requirements. Certain of the Company’s contracts contain retainage provisions whereby a portion of the revenue earned is withheld from payment as a form of security until contractual provisions are satisfied. The collectability of retainage is included in the Company’s overall assessment of the collectability of accounts receivable. The Company expects to collect the outstanding balance of current accounts receivable, net (including trade accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable, and retainage) within the next twelve months. Accounts receivable of $24.8 million from Windstream are classified as non-current in other assets and are net of the related allowance for doubtful accounts. On February 25, 2019, Windstream filed of a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts by evaluating specific accounts receivable balances based on historical collection trends, the age of outstanding receivables, and the credit worthiness of the Company’s customers.

For one customer, the Company has participated in a customer-sponsored vendor payment program since fiscal 2016. All eligible accounts receivable from this customer are included in the program and payment is received pursuant to a non-recourse sale to a bank partner of the customer. This program effectively reduces the time to collect these receivables as compared to that customer’s standard payment terms. The Company incurs a discount fee to the bank on the payments received that is reflected as an expense component in other income, net, in the consolidated statements of operations. The operations of this program have not changed since the Company began participating.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. For the Company, key estimates include: the recognition of revenue under the cost-to-cost method of progress, accrued insurance claims, the allowance for doubtful accounts, accruals for contingencies, stock-based compensation expense for performance-based stock awards, the fair value of reporting units for the goodwill impairment analysis, the assessment of impairment of intangibles and other long-lived assets, the purchase price allocations of businesses acquired, and income taxes. These estimates are based on the Company’s historical experience and management’s understanding of current facts and circumstances. At the time they are made, the Company believes that such estimates are fair when considered in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations taken as a whole. However, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Contract Assets. Contract assets include unbilled amounts typically resulting from arrangements whereby complete satisfaction of a performance obligation and the right to payment are conditioned on completing additional tasks or services.

Contract Liabilities. Contract liabilities consist of amounts invoiced to customers in excess of revenue recognized. The Company’s contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract by contract basis at the end of each reporting period. As of January 26, 2019 and January 27, 2018, the contract liabilities balance is classified as current based on the timing of when the Company expects to complete the tasks required for the recognition of revenue.

Revenue Recognition. The Company performs a majority of its services under master service agreements and other contracts that contain customer-specified service requirements. These agreements include discrete pricing for individual tasks including, for example, the placement of underground or aerial fiber, directional boring, and fiber splicing, each based on a specific unit of measure. A contractual agreement exists when each party involved approves and commits to the agreement, the rights of the parties and payment terms are identified, the agreement has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable. The Company’s services are performed for the sole benefit of its customers, whereby the assets being created or maintained are controlled by the customer and the services the Company performs do not have alternative benefits for the Company. Revenue is recognized over time as services are performed and customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits provided by the Company. Output measures such as units delivered are utilized to assess progress against specific contractual performance obligations for the majority of the Company’s services. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment and is based on the nature of the services to be provided. For the Company, the output method using units delivered best represents the measure of progress against the performance obligations incorporated within the contractual agreements. This method captures the amount of units delivered pursuant to contracts and is used only when the Company’s performance does not produce significant amounts of work in process prior to complete satisfaction of the performance obligation. For a portion of contract items, units to be completed consist of multiple tasks. For these items, the transaction price is allocated to each task based on relative standalone measurements, such as selling prices for similar tasks, or in the alternative, the cost to perform the tasks. Revenue is recognized as the tasks are completed as a measurement of progress in the satisfaction of the corresponding performance obligation, and represented less than 10.0% of contract revenues during fiscal 2019.

For certain contracts, representing less than 5.0% of contract revenues during fiscal 2019, the 2018 transition period, fiscal 2017, and fiscal 2016, the Company uses the cost-to-cost measure of progress. These contracts are generally projects that are completed over a period of less than twelve months and for which payment is received in a lump sum at the end of the project. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the extent of progress toward completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs. Contract costs include direct labor, direct materials, and subcontractor costs, as well as an allocation of indirect costs. Contract revenues are recorded as costs are incurred. For contracts using the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the Company accrues the entire amount of a contract loss, if any, at the time the loss is determined to be probable and can be reasonably estimated.

There were no material amounts of unapproved change orders or claims recognized during fiscal 2019, the 2018 transition period, fiscal 2017, or fiscal 2016.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Equivalents. Cash and equivalents primarily include balances on deposit in banks. The Company maintains its cash and equivalents at financial institutions it believes to be of high credit quality. To date, the Company has not experienced any loss or lack of access to cash in its operating accounts.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories. Inventories consist of materials and supplies used in the ordinary course of business and are carried at the lower of cost (using the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. Inventories also include certain job specific materials that are valued using the specific identification method. For contracts where the Company is required to supply part or all of the materials on behalf of a customer, the loss of a customer or declines in contract volumes could result in an impairment of the value of materials purchased.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives (see Note 9, Property and Equipment, for the range of useful lives). Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or the remaining lease term. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred and major improvements are capitalized. When assets are sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is included in other income. Capitalized software is accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350-40, Internal Use Software. Capitalized software consists primarily of costs to purchase and develop internal-use software and is amortized over its useful life as a component of depreciation expense. Property and equipment includes internally developed capitalized computer software at net book value of $28.5 million and $28.8 million as of January 26, 2019 and January 27, 2018, respectively.

Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Business Combinations. The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price of each business acquired is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on information regarding their respective fair values on the date of acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the separately identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed is allocated to goodwill. Management determines the fair values used in purchase price allocations for intangible assets based on historical data, estimated discounted future cash flows, expected royalty rates for trademarks and trade names, as well as certain other information. The valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires a number of judgments and is subject to revision as additional information about the fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available. Additional information, which existed as of the acquisition date but unknown to the Company at that time, may become known during the remainder of the measurement period. This measurement period may not exceed twelve months from the acquisition date. The Company will recognize any adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. Additionally, in the same period in which adjustments are recognized, the Company will record the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of any change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting adjustment had been completed at the acquisition date. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred. The results of operations of businesses acquired are included in the consolidated financial statements from their dates of acquisition.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Long-Lived Tangible Assets. The Company reviews long-lived tangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of an asset group and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset compared to its carrying value. Long-lived tangible assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Self Insurance Reserve [Policy Text Block]

Accrued Insurance Claims. For claims within the Company’s insurance program, it retains the risk of loss, up to certain limits, for matters related to automobile liability, general liability (including damages associated with underground facility locating services), workers’ compensation, and employee group health. The Company has established reserves that it believes to be adequate based on current evaluations and its experience with these types of claims. A liability for unpaid claims and the associated claim expenses, including incurred but not reported losses, is determined with the assistance of an actuary and reflected in the consolidated financial statements as accrued insurance claims. The effect on the Company’s financial statements is generally limited to the amount needed to satisfy its insurance deductibles or retentions.

The Company estimates the liability for claims based on facts, circumstances, and historical experience. Even though they will not be paid until sometime in the future, recorded loss reserves are not discounted. Factors affecting the determination of the expected cost for existing and incurred but not reported claims include, but are not limited to, the magnitude and quantity of future claims, the payment pattern of claims which have been incurred, changes in the medical condition of claimants, and other factors such as inflation, tort reform or other legislative changes, unfavorable jury decisions and court interpretations.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Per Share Data. Basic earnings per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding unvested restricted share units. Diluted earnings per common share includes the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and dilutive potential common shares arising from the Company’s stock-based awards (including unvested restricted share units), convertible senior notes, and warrants if their inclusion is dilutive under the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalents related to stock-based awards, convertible senior notes, and warrants are excluded from diluted earnings per common share calculations if their effect would be anti-dilutive.

The Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”) on a prospective basis effective July 30, 2017, the first day of the 2018 transition period. Under the amended guidance, excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies arising from the vesting and exercise of share-based awards are no longer included in the hypothetical proceeds used to repurchase shares when computing diluted earnings per common share under the treasury stock method. See Note 4, Computation of Earnings Per Share, for additional information related to ASU 2016-09’s impact on per share data.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation. The Company has stock-based compensation plans under which it grants stock-based awards, including stock options, time-based restricted share units (“RSUs”), and performance-based restricted share units (“Performance RSUs”) to attract, retain, and reward talented employees, officers, and directors, and to align stockholder and employee interests. The resulting compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, net of actual forfeitures, and is included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. This expense fluctuates over time as a result of the vesting periods of the stock-based awards and, for the Company’s Performance RSUs, the expected achievement of performance measures.

Compensation expense for stock-based awards is based on fair value at the measurement date. The fair value of stock options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This valuation is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as other inputs, including the expected common stock price volatility over the expected life of the options, the expected term of the stock option, risk-free interest rates, and expected dividends, if any. Stock options vest ratably over a four-year period and are exercisable over a period of up to ten years. The fair value of RSUs and Performance RSUs is estimated on the date of grant and is equal to the closing market price per share of the Company’s common stock on that date. RSUs generally vest ratably over a four-year period. Performance RSUs vest ratably over a three-year period, if certain performance measures are achieved. Each RSU and Performance RSU is settled in one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting.

For Performance RSUs, the Company evaluates compensation expense quarterly and recognizes expense only if it determines it is probable that the performance measures for the awards will be met. The performance measures for target awards are based on the Company’s operating earnings (adjusted for certain amounts) as a percentage of contract revenues and its operating cash flow level (adjusted for certain amounts) for the applicable four-quarter performance period. Additionally, certain awards include three-year performance measures that are more difficult to achieve than those required to earn target awards and, if met, result in supplemental shares awarded. The performance measures for supplemental awards are based on three-year cumulative operating earnings (adjusted for certain amounts) as a percentage of contract revenues and three-year cumulative operating cash flow level (adjusted for certain amounts). In a period the Company determines it is no longer probable that it will achieve certain performance measures for the awards, it reverses the stock-based compensation expense that it had previously recognized and associated with the portion of Performance RSUs that are no longer expected to vest. The amount of the expense ultimately recognized depends on the number of awards that actually vest. Accordingly, stock-based compensation expense may vary from period to period. For additional information on the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, stock options, RSUs, and Performance RSUs, see Note 18, Stock-Based Awards.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The Company’s financial instruments primarily consist of cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, income taxes receivable and payable, accounts payable, certain accrued expenses, and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of these items approximate fair value due to their short maturity, except for the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, which is based on observable market-based inputs (Level 2). See Note 13, Debt, for further information regarding the fair value of such financial instruments. The Company’s cash and equivalents are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) as of January 26, 2019 and January 27, 2018. During fiscal 2019, the 2018 transition period, fiscal 2017, and fiscal 2016, the Company had no material nonrecurring fair value measurements of assets or liabilities subsequent to their initial recognition.