SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

(a) Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

(b) Revenue Recognition

The majority of our Bioanalytical and analytical research service contracts involve the development of analytical methods and the processing of bioanalytical samples for pharmaceutical companies and generally provide for a fixed fee for each sample processed. Revenue is recognized under the specific performance method of accounting and the related direct costs are recognized when services are performed. Our preclinical research service contracts generally consist of preclinical studies, and revenue is recognized under the proportional performance method of accounting. Revisions in profit estimates, if any, are reflected on a cumulative basis in the period in which such revisions become known. The establishment of contract prices and total contract costs involves estimates we make at the inception of the contract. These estimates could change during the term of the contract and impact the revenue and costs reported in the consolidated financial statements. Revisions to estimates have generally not been material. Research service contract fees received upon acceptance are deferred until earned, and classified within customer advances. Unbilled revenues represent revenues earned under contracts in advance of billings.

Product revenue from sales of equipment not requiring installation, testing or training is recognized upon shipment to customers. One product includes internally developed software and requires installation, testing and training, which occur concurrently. Revenue from these sales is recognized upon completion of the installation, testing and training when the services are bundled with the equipment sale.

Cash Equivalents

(c) Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

One or more of the financial institutions holding the Company's cash accounts are participating in the FDIC's Transaction Account Guarantee Program. Under that program, through December 31, 2010, all noninterest-bearing transaction accounts are fully guaranteed by the FDIC for the entire amount in the account. Pursuant to legislation enacted in 2010, the FDIC will fully insure all noninterest-bearing transaction accounts beginning December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2012, at all FDIC-insured institutions.

For financial institutions opting out of the FDIC's Transaction Account Guarantee Program or interest-bearing cash accounts, the FDIC's insurance limits were permanently increased to $250,000, effective July 21, 2010. At September 30, 2013, the Company did not have any cash accounts that exceeded federally insured limits.

Accounts Receivable

(d) Accounts Receivable

We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers' financial conditions and generally do not require collateral on trade accounts receivable. We account for trade receivables based on the amounts billed to customers. Past due receivables are determined based on contractual terms. We do not accrue interest on any of our trade receivables. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined by management based on our historical losses, specific customer circumstances, and general economic conditions. Periodically, management reviews accounts receivable and adjusts the allowance based on current circumstances and charges off uncollectible receivables when all attempts to collect have failed. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $87 and $123 at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

A summary of activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

	2013			2012
Opening balance	$	123		$	108
Charged to expense		41			84
Accounts recovered		(18	)		15
Accounts written off		(59	)		(84	)
Ending balance	$	87		$	123

Inventories

(e) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method of accounting. We evaluate inventories on a regular basis to identify inventory on hand that may be obsolete or in excess of current and future projected market demand. For inventory deemed to be obsolete, we provide a reserve for this inventory. Inventory that is in excess of current and projected use is reduced by an allowance to a level that approximates the estimate of future demand.

Property and Equipment

(f) Property and Equipment

We record property and equipment at cost, including interest capitalized during the period of construction of major facilities. We compute depreciation, including amortization on capital leases, using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which we estimate to be: buildings and improvements, 34 to 40 years; machinery and equipment, 5 to 10 years, and office furniture and fixtures, 10 years. Depreciation expense was $1,715 in fiscal 2013 and $2,217 in fiscal 2012. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

Property and equipment, net, as of September 30, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:

	2013			2012
Land and improvements	$	914		$	914
Buildings and improvements		21,250			21,278
Machinery and equipment		17,571			19,496
Office furniture and fixtures		690			701
Construction in progress		92			35
		40,517			42,424
Less:  accumulated depreciation		(23,604	)		(23,796	)
Net property and equipment	$	16,913		$	18,628

Long-Lived Assets including Goodwill

(g) Long-Lived Assets including Goodwill

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized of the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

We carry goodwill at cost. Other intangible assets with definite lives are stated at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. All intangible assets acquired that are obtained through contractual or legal right, or are capable of being separately sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, are recognized as an asset apart from goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. First, we can assess qualitative factors in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We elected to bypass the qualitative assessment aspect of this guidance due to the restructuring circumstances. Then, we followed a two-step quantitative process. In the first step, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit, as computed primarily by present value cash flow calculations, to its book carrying value, including goodwill. We do not believe that market value is indicative of the true fair value of the Company mainly due to average daily trading volumes of less than 1%. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further work is required and no impairment loss is recognized. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is potentially impaired and we would then complete step 2 in order to measure the impairment loss. In step 2, the implied fair value is compared to the carrying amount of the goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, we would recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference. The implied fair value is calculated by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit (as determined in step 1) to all of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized intangible assets) and any excess in fair value that is not assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill.

The discount rate, gross margin and sales growth rates are material assumptions utilized in our calculations of the present value cash flows used to estimate the fair value of the reporting units when performing the annual goodwill impairment test. Our reporting units with goodwill at September 30, 2013 are Vetronics, which is included in our Products segment, bioanalytical services and preclinical services, which are both included in our Services segment, based on the discrete financial information available which is reviewed by management. We utilize a cash flow approach in estimating the fair value of the reporting units, where the discount rate reflects a weighted average cost of capital rate. The cash flow model used to derive fair value is sensitive to the discount rate and sales growth assumptions used.

Due to the closure of the McMinnville, Oregon site, we tested for impairment of the bioanalytical business at the end of our third fiscal quarter of 2012 using the cash flow approach as explained above. This test resulted in no impairment to the goodwill valuation as currently recorded on the books.

We also performed our annual impairment test for all reporting units mentioned above at September 30, 2013, which indicated no impairment.

Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes and to estimate future cash flows. Assumptions used in our impairment evaluations, such as forecasted sales growth rates and our cost of capital or discount rate, are based on the best available market information. Changes in these estimates or a continued decline in general economic conditions could change our conclusion regarding an impairment of goodwill and potentially result in a non-cash impairment loss in a future period. The assumptions used in our impairment testing could be adversely affected by certain risks. There have been no significant events since the timing of our impairment tests that would have triggered additional impairment testing.

At September 30, 2013 and 2012, remaining recorded goodwill was $1,383, and the net balance of other intangible assets was $0.

Amortization expense for intangible assets for fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $0 and $54, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, all intangible assets have been fully amortized. We also amortize costs of patents and licenses. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the amortization expense associated with these was $8 and $7, respectively.

Advertising Expense

(h) Advertising Expense

We expense advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense was $40 and $203 for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

(i) Stock-Based Compensation

We have a stock-based employee compensation plan and a stock-based employee and outside director compensation plan, which are described more fully in Note 9. All options granted under these plans have an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common shares on the date of grant. We expense the estimated fair value of stock options over the vesting periods of the grants. Our policy is to recognize expense for awards subject to graded vesting using the straight-line attribution method, reduced for estimated forfeitures.

We use a binomial option-pricing model as our method of valuation for share-based awards, requiring us to make certain assumptions about the future, which are more fully described in Note 9.

Income Taxes

(j) 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 carryforwards. 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 enactment date. We record valuation allowances based on a determination of the expected realization of tax assets.

We may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. The amount of the accrual for which an exposure exists is measured as the largest amount of benefit determined on a cumulative probability basis that we believe is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement of the position.

We record interest and penalties accrued in relation to uncertain income tax positions as a component of income tax expense. Any changes in the liability for uncertain tax positions would impact our effective tax rate. We do not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.

New Accounting Pronouncements

(k) New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued authoritative guidance that requires that an entity net its liability for unrecognized tax positions against a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward when settlement in this manner is available under the tax law. The Company will adopt this guidance effective at the beginning of its 2015 fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that amends the presentation of accumulated other comprehensive income and clarifies how to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The guidance, which becomes effective for the Company on a prospective basis at the beginning of its 2014 fiscal year, requires footnote disclosures regarding the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component and the line items affected in the statements of operations. The adoption of this updated authoritative guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued updated authoritative guidance to amend the presentation of comprehensive income in financial statements. This new guidance allows companies the option to present other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. It eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. Under both alternatives, companies are required to present each component of net income and comprehensive income. The amendment is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance will not change the previously reported amounts of comprehensive income. The Company has presented other comprehensive income on the face of the condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. The adoption of this updated authoritative guidance had no effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

Fair Value

(l) Fair Value

The provisions of the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and provides the disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. This Topic also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company's judgment about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the inputs as follows:

• Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

• Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

• Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

In May 2011, we issued Class A and B Warrants that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. We recorded these warrants as a liability determining the fair value at inception on May 11, 2011. Subsequent quarterly fair value measurements, using the Black Scholes model which is considered a level 2 measurement, are calculated with fair value changes charged to the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Class B Warrants expired in May 2012 and the liability was reduced to zero. The assumptions used to compute the fair value of the warrants at September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

	September 30, 2013			September 30, 2012
	Warrant A			Warrant A
Risk-free interest rate		0.51	%		0.41	%
Dividend yield		0.00	%		0.00	%
Volatility of the Company's common stock		71.15	%		117.30	%
Expected life of the options (years)		2.6			3.6
Fair value per unit	$	0.444		$	0.881

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventories, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable and other accruals approximate their fair values because of their nature and respective duration. The fair value of the revolving credit facility and certain long-term debt is equal to their carrying values due to the variable nature of their interest rates. Our long-term fixed rate debt was initiated in February 2011 and renewed on October 31, 2013.

Use of Estimates

(m) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates as part of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements include but are not limited to the determination of fair values, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, deferred tax valuations, depreciation, impairment charges and stock compensation. Our actual results could differ from those estimates.

Research and Development

(n) Research and Development

In fiscal 2013 and 2012, we incurred $454 and $542, respectively, on research and development. Separate from our contract research services business, we maintain applications research and development to enhance our products business. We expense research and development costs as incurred.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(o) Comprehensive Income (Loss)

We report comprehensive income (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Other comprehensive income (loss) represents changes in shareholders' equity and is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Foreign Currency

(p) Foreign Currency

For our subsidiary outside of the United States that operates in a local currency environment, income and expense items are translated to United States dollars at the monthly average rates of exchange prevailing during the year, assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates and equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders' equity in the consolidated balance sheets and are included in the determination of comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).