-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, LVZfUbpa3ZURZcxD+ThwwmOasBar/1DBy9uS5vCfjnXeNiLmyLeitU78nBY/9Ld5 OCw3TkzR5M/pcdKdYaH/kQ== 0000806388-99-000005.txt : 19990114 0000806388-99-000005.hdr.sgml : 19990114 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000806388-99-000005 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19970831 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990113 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NICHOLS RESEARCH CORP /AL/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000806388 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-ENGINEERING SERVICES [8711] IRS NUMBER: 630713665 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K/A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-15295 FILM NUMBER: 99505381 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4090 SOUTH MEMORIAL PARKWAY STREET 2: P.O. 400002 CITY: HUNTSVILLE STATE: AL ZIP: 35815-1502 BUSINESS PHONE: 256-883-1140 10-K/A 1 ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K/A AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO (X) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997. ( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ________ TO _________. Commission file number 0-15295 ------------------------------ NICHOLS RESEARCH CORPORATION ---------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 63-0713665 - ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 4040 SOUTH MEMORIAL PARKWAY HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35802-1326 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) The registrant's telephone number including area code: (205) 883-1140 -------------- Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange ------------------- --------------------- None None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE -------------------------------------- (Title of Class) 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 X NO --- --- 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. [ ] As of November 3, 1997, there were 13,089,417 shares outstanding of Nichols Research Corporation voting Common Stock, $.01 par value. The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $274,613,775 based on the closing price of such stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market on November 3, 1997, assuming that all shares beneficially held by officers and members of the registrant's Board of Directors are shares owned by "affiliates," a status which each of the officers and directors individually disclaims. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Documents Form 10-K Reference - - --------- ------------------- Portions of the Proxy Statement Part III for the January 8, 1998 Annual Shareholders' Meeting ================================================================================ Except for historical information contained herein, this document contains forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties discussed in more detail in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations section of this Annual Report. These forward-looking statements can be generally identified as such because the content of the statements will usually contain such words as the Company or management "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "hopes," and words of similar import. Similarly statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives, goals, of strategies are forward-looking looking statements. This Annual Report on Form 10-K/A amends and supersedes, to the extent set forth herein, the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1997 previously filed on November 28, 1997. DESCRIPTION - ----------- PART I Item 1. Business PART II Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS GENERAL As used in this report, the term "the Company" means Nichols Research Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures. The Company is a premier provider of high-performance technology-based solutions and services where information access, movement, and evaluation are mission critical to an organization's success. The Company provides these services to a wide range of clients, in four markets: national security, government information technology ("IT"), commercial IT, and healthcare IT. The Company's substantial expertise and capabilities in a wide range of technologies have been built over a 21-year period of providing advanced development, scientific and application services to U.S. military programs, including air defense systems, national and theater missile defense systems, and weapons development programs. These activities have allowed the Company to build and maintain a foundation of advanced skills in: systems engineering; command, control, communication, computers and intelligence ("C4I") systems; virtual reality-based training systems; test and evaluation; naval architecture; high performance systems integration; information systems support; network and computer facility outsourcing and management; software and systems development; data warehousing and mining; and systems security. The Company's advanced technical capabilities gained while performing services for mission critical federal projects provide the Company with a technological competence which the Company is transferring to the commercial sector. The Company today addresses the technology needs of a diverse customer base by applying its state-of-the-art technical capabilities in commercial system integration, simulation, software development and client-server architectures, including SAP(TM) consulting. As a result, the Company has expanded the market for its services by offering innovative technical solutions to customers' needs. Although the Company's traditional military technology business has continued to grow, other growing markets for the Company's services now represent approximately 47% of revenues. Market Overview - Information Technology Market -- Federal Government The U.S. Government is the largest single buyer of IT. Federal Sources, Inc. ("Federal Sources"), an independent market research firm specializing in the federal market, estimates that U.S. Government IT spending was $27.9 billion in the Government's fiscal year 1996 (which ended September 30, 1996) and will be $28.3 billion in fiscal year 1997, up 1.4%. Federal Sources estimates that IT spending by civilian agencies will increase from $16.5 billion in fiscal year 1996 to $17.1 billion in fiscal year 1997, up 6.0%. IT spending by the Department of Defense is expected to increase in the next few years, although it is expected to decrease 1.8% from $11.4 billion in fiscal year 1996 to $11.2 billion in fiscal year 1997. Federal Sources estimates that total U.S. Government IT spending will increase at an average annual rate of between 6% and 8% over the next few years. - Information Technology Market -- Commercial Sector INPUT, an independent market research firm, estimated that the total commercial IT services market in the United States would be $173 billion in 1995. This market is expected to grow at a 14% average annual rate over the next five years. The market growth is expected to be driven by a growing world economy, increased competition and shorter technology cycles which are forcing more companies to "outsource" their IT services. Over the last few years, the increase in business process engineering projects has also resulted in companies focusing on their core businesses and outsourcing more non-core functions. The components of the market in which the Company participates - -- professional services (including consulting, custom software development, and training), systems integration, outsourcing and system software products -- are all showing growth. INPUT estimated that the professional services segment was $26 billion in 1995; the systems integration segment was $12 billion; the outsourcing segment was $19 billion; and the systems software products segment was $26 billion. IT spending in the markets that the Company is targeting, such as healthcare, insurance, facility management, and state and local governments, is expected to grow 10% to 20% annually over the next few years. Business Strategy The Company's business strategy consists of three key elements: (i) maintain the Company's leadership in technology applications in its current markets; (ii) apply the Company's technology base to create solutions for new clients in chosen markets; and (iii) make strategic acquisitions and form alliances to gain industry knowledge and thereby provide a sound basis for expanding the business base of the Company. Maintain Technology Leadership. The Company's substantial expertise and capabilities in a wide range of technologies have been built over a 21-year period of providing advanced development, scientific, and application services to U.S. military programs, including air defense systems, strategic and theater missile defense systems, and weapons development programs. The Company believes that, because of its expertise and capabilities with such a wide range of technologies, it has an advantage over its competitors in providing information technology and other technical business services based on these technologies. The Company will seek to maintain this advantage by keeping pace with new developments in technology and by continuing to compete for contracts which will require that the Company provide high-quality, sophisticated technical solutions to clients based on the use of advanced technologies. Apply Technology To Create Solutions For New Clients. The Company believes that the creative use of its technology expertise and capabilities to provide innovative, focused technical solutions for its clients has been largely responsible for the Company's success. The Company intends to use its base of technical expertise and capabilities in network design, systems integration, software development, simulation technology, and Internet services to create solutions for new clients in government, healthcare, insurance, and other commercial markets. Make Strategic Acquisitions And Form Alliances. The Company's acquisition program is a key component of its overall business strategy. The Company will make strategic acquisitions and form alliances that will allow the Company (i) to develop technical services which it does not currently provide, (ii) to target markets that it does not currently serve and gain industry knowledge in such markets, and (iii) to develop strategic relationships with clients. In order to better execute its business strategy, the Company is organized into the following four strategic business units focused on four broad markets served by the Company: NICHOLS FEDERAL provides information services to U.S. defense and intelligence agencies. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Nichols Federal produced approximately 53% of the Company's revenues. NICHOLS INFOFED provides information services and systems integration to federal, state and local governmental agencies. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Nichols InfoFed produced approximately 36 % of the Company's revenues. NICHOLS INFOTEC provides information technology solutions to commercial customers and selected state government agencies. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Nichols InfoTec produced approximately 7% of the Company's revenues. NICHOLS SELECT provides information services and systems integration to healthcare and insurance industries. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Nichols SELECT produced approximately 4% of the Company's revenues. Effective November 5, 1997, the name Nichols SELECT was changed to Nichols TXEN. Acquisitions and Alliances Since September 1, 1994, the Company has successfully completed eight strategic acquisitions and alliances to expand its business into other markets and gain industry knowledge. The key acquisitions and alliances completed during this period are: Communications & Systems Specialists, Inc. ("CSSi"). In September 1994, the Company acquired CSSi, which provides information systems development and services primarily in client-server systems development for federal government agencies. This acquisition enhanced the Company's ability to provide information development services. Conway Computer Group ("CCG"). In May 1995, the Company acquired CCG, which provides information technology products and services to a variety of commercial customers. As a result of the CCG acquisition, the Company expanded its business to include computerized workers' compensation claims, administration and risk management services. CCG also provides IT services to a variety of commercial customers, including software development and consulting services. CCG provides support services to customers with IBM business computer systems. Effective October 31, 1997, the name Conway Computer Group was changed to Nichols InfoTec Corporation. Computer Services Corporation ("CSC"). In June 1995, the Company acquired CSC, which provides transaction and practice management system services, a computer-based medical management system, and a complete billing and accounts receivable management service to physicians and other medical providers. This acquisition expands the Company's commitment to IT services in the healthcare industry by providing the Company with a core business base in computerized transaction processing and related IT services. Effective September 23, 1996, CSC was merged into Nichols SELECT Corporation which was subsequently renamed Nichols TXEN Corporation. HealthGate Data Corporation ("HealthGate"). In October 1995, the Company acquired a 20% interest in HealthGate, which is an Internet-based provider of medical information, including on-line information retrieval, access to medical information companies and on-line continuing education programs. The Company has entered into a strategic alliance with HealthGate under which the Company performs systems development work for HealthGate. As a result of this investment and strategic alliance, the Company receives Internet advertising exposure for its services. Advanced Marine Enterprises, Inc. ("AME"). In May 1996, the Company acquired AME, a leading naval architecture and marine technical services firm. AME also develops simulation and virtual reality technology for naval and marine applications and provides support in ship acquisition management, production support, human systems integration and ship survivability and protection. AME also sells ship simulators and virtual reality trainers to the international commercial ship building industry. Approximately 80% of AME's business is with the U.S. Navy. The acquisition substantially expanded the Company's presence in the Washington, D.C. area and provides an opportunity for the Company to expand its business relationship with the U.S. Navy. Intertech Management Group, Inc. ("Intertech"). During fiscal year 1997, the Company acquired approximately 36% of the capital stock of Intertech. Intertech provides software and data processing services to the telecommunications industry. NCCIM L.L.C ("NCCIM"). In fiscal year 1997, NCCIM, a joint venture equally owned by the Company and Colsa Corporation, was formed and awarded a five year contract having a value with options of $193 million for Information Mission Area Support Services for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command and other federal, state and local government agencies. TXEN, Inc. ("TXEN"). In fiscal year 1995, the Company purchased 19.9% of TXEN with an option to purchase the remaining 80.1%. In August 1997, the Company exercised its option to purchase the remaining 80.1% of the capital stock of TXEN. TXEN provides information technology products and services to the managed healthcare industry, including computerized claims processing and administration services. As a result of the acquisition of TXEN, the Company has enhanced its knowledge of the healthcare industry and acquired a business base in a rapidly expanding segment of the healthcare information services industry. TXEN was merged into Nichols SELECT Corporation, which has been named Nichols TXEN Corporation. Nichols Federal Nichols Federal provides technical services to U.S. defense agencies. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Nichols Federal produced approximately 53% of the Company's revenues. Nichols Federal provides systems engineering, systems analysis, simulation development, and systems integration for the defense and intelligence technical services market. The Company's capabilities include optics; guidance and control; software engineering; virtual reality trainers and simulations; naval architecture; and C4I. These technical services are rendered primarily for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and national agencies. Many of the Company's contracts are not project specific, but require that the Company provide technical services to a variety of weapons development and other projects. The Company has provided technical services related to missile defense since 1983 when the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization ("SDIO") was formed. In 1993, SDIO changed its name to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization ("BMDO"). BMDO's mission continues to be Ballistic Missile Defense ("BMD") with emphasis on Theater Missile Defense ("TMD") and National Missile Defense ("NMD"). The Company's contract revenues from BMD programs were approximately $56.4 million in fiscal 1995, $63.0 million in fiscal 1996 and $76.5 million in fiscal 1997. Approximately 20% of the Company's revenues in fiscal 1997 were from contracts related to BMD, compared to 26% of revenues in fiscal 1996, and 33% of revenues in fiscal 1995. Ballistic Missile Defense has existed for more than 27 years as a mission of Department of Defense ("DOD") through activities such as the BMD program. If a decision were made to reduce substantially the scope of current BMD programs or to eliminate the BMDO, management believes that many national and theater missile defense programs, including some research and development areas that existed prior to the creation of SDIO/BMDO, would continue to be funded by the U.S. Army and Air Force, and other DOD agencies. Missile and Air Defense For NMD and TMD programs, the Company's services include system architecture definition; system analysis; system and element definition and performance estimates; system engineering; lethality and vulnerability analysis; test and evaluation; model and simulation development; radar and infrared sensor and seeker definition and technology assessments; risk assessments; and program and system acquisition documentation. Under a five year, $250 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1997 with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the Company is providing systems engineering and technical support through studies, concept definition, independent analyses, simulations, technological assessments, and related tasks in support of ballistic and theater missile defense systems, experiments and technology demonstrations. Under a three year, $97 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1995 with the BMDO, the Company provides system engineering support for sensor systems. Under a five year, $10 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1995 with the U.S. Navy, the Company operates and maintains the Innovative Science and Technology Experimentation Facility at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, which is engaged in scientific and technology experiments associated with BMD programs. Space Surveillance and Avionics The Company's space surveillance and avionics programs involve satellite and other space applications. The Company performs contracts involving the establishment of the architecture of future space surveillance and avionics systems for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and intelligence customers. These contracts are based on the Company's experience in optical sensor and geolocation technologies and its ability to develop sophisticated computer simulations to evaluate the performance of candidate architectures. Under a seven year, $85 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1993 with the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, the Company provides engineering, analysis, and design for satellite and missile development programs. Under several contracts with the U.S. Air Force, the Company supports new materials research, provides software quality assurance for testing and evaluation, supports research for infrared and cryogenic technologies, provides sensor data reduction analysis, and develops software for satellite tracking systems. Army Tactical Systems and Technology The Company provides development services for Army tactical systems and technologies, which support Army project offices and research and development centers. The Company develops high-fidelity simulations for weapon systems, which are used for cost-effective missile concept definition, design, and analysis. Under a three year, $103 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1997, the Company provides functional engineering support to the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command's ("AMCOM") Research Development and Engineering Center for missile guidance and control. The Company used the knowledge and capabilities that it gained from creating computer simulations, performing computer/network integrations and developing high resolution scene generation capabilities to establish an extensive business base in Distributive Interactive Simulation ("DIS") and Virtual Prototype Simulation ("VPS"). DIS is a system that permits an interactive exchange of information to facilitate multiple simulations across a computer network. VPS is a virtual reality computer simulation that replicates the sights, sounds, and functionality of a given system, simulating both the operation of the weapon system and the environment surrounding the operator of the system. VPS may be used to evaluate equipment designs, instruct users in the operation of weapon systems, analyze the effectiveness of the system against different threats, or test system effectiveness under various conditions. In fiscal year 1996, the Company was awarded a three year $48 million contract by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command ("AMCOM")for continued support to the System Simulation and Development Directorate. The Company has developed virtual prototype simulators for several AMCOM systems, including Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle ("BSFV"), Line-Of-Sight-Anti-Tank ("LOSAT") missile, Javelin, Tube-Launched-Optically- Guided Weapon ("TOW"), Rapid Force Projection Initiative, Avenger, and Advanced Chaparral. Under a three year, $18.7 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1996 with the U.S. Army, the Company is producing the Avenger Institutional Conduct of Fire Trainer("ICOFT") and the Avenger Table Top Trainer. These two real-time training devices are being delivered to air defense units of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, and to our allies under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Special Programs The Company provides technical services related to scientific and technical intelligence analysis, threat simulator development, survivability analysis, and sensor development for collection of data for various U.S. intelligence programs. The Company has used its 16-year record of providing systems engineering support to U.S. intelligence programs to expand its customer base in the intelligence area. The Company now assists intelligence customers in resolving new and existing information technologies issues related to missile proliferation, technology transfers, and foreign digital communication systems. Services provided by the Company include hardware systems evaluation and integration, hardware-in-the-loop testing and evaluation, and system signature analysis and prediction for ground missile and air defense systems. Results of this work aid U.S. weapon system developers in producing more effective products that give U.S. operational forces greater combat leverage. The Company also provides technical services for systems engineering; in-flight survivability analysis; intelligence systems assessments; threat simulator engineering; foreign material exploitation; infrared seeker characterization; instrumentation development; detailed measurements of systems and sensors; sensor data analysis; hardware-in-the-loop development and testing; test planning; and configuration management. Under a five year, $64 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1995 with the Defense Intelligence Agency's Missile and Space Intelligence Center, the Company provides scientific and technical assistance to aid the evaluation of foreign ground missile systems, subsystems, and technologies. Under a five year, $85 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1997 for support to the U.S. Army's Threat Simulation Management Office, the Company provides technical and systems engineering support in the design and development of threat simulators and supports performance assessment tests of developed threat simulators. Under a five year, $50 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1997, the Company also supports the Office of Secretary of Defense ("OSD") and joint military services in the conduct of test planning, multi-service coordination, and execution for Joint Test and Evaluations. Advanced Tactical Systems The Company performs basic research and provides engineering services to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and Special Operations Command. Under a four year, $7.8 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1996 with Eglin Air Force Base, the Company supports the U.S. Air Force in the development of simulations and signal processing algorithms for the development of advanced guidance concepts for conventional weapon systems. The IRMA Multi-Sensor Signature Model, the Air Force standard air-to-surface target-in-background simulation,is an example of one such code.Training concepts and course development are provided to the U.S. Army STRICOM and the Aviation Center.Other areas of engineering support include special operations technology, mine detection algorithms, avionics countermeasures and formational positioning systems, and special operations maritime electronics. Marine Engineering In May 1996, the Company acquired AME, a leading naval architecture and marine technical services firm. Approximately 80% of AME's business is with the U.S. Navy. The acquisition of AME substantially expands the Company's presence in the Washington, D.C. area and provides the Company an opportunity to expand its business relationship with the U.S. Navy. As a subsidiary of the Company, AME develops simulations, simulators, and virtual reality programs for naval and marine applications. In addition to traditional naval architecture and marine engineering services, AME provides support in ship acquisition management, production support, human systems integration, and ship survivability and protection. In 1995, AME was awarded a five-year $169 million contract by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command for ship design and technical support. In fiscal year 1997, the Company was awarded another one year training system contract by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to deliver a full-mission, ship-handling and navigation bridge simulator for training of cadets, professional mariners, pilots, and docking masters. As subcontractor under two five year contracts awarded in fiscal year 1997, having an aggregate value of approximately $17.5 million, the Company is providing systems engineering management and technical support services to the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Officer for Surface Combatants/AEGIS Program Technical Division. Nichols Infofed Nichols InfoFed provides information services and systems integration to federal, state and local governmental agencies. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Nichols InfoFed produced approximately 36% of the Company's revenues. The services offered by Nichols InfoFed include information technology services, computer systems integration, staff augmentation, consulting services, computer facility management and operations, Internet services, and customized software system development for customers in the federal and state information technology services market. Computer Systems Integration By building on its existing technical expertise and capabilities, the Company has been awarded contracts in computer systems integration, including large-scale projects. The Company's services include high performance computing, enterprise networking, and office automation, including high-end supercomputer architectures and applications; Internet services; high-speed, networking technologies; advanced visualization systems; and on-line, high-integrity data storage and archival systems. The Company is a systems integrator for many manufacturers and suppliers of supercomputers, workstations, personal computers, and networking equipment. The Company also offers a wide range of training services utilizing innovative techniques and tools, such as computer-based training aids to promote high productivity and efficient use of installed systems. These training services include personal computer applications as well as advanced supercomputing applications. Under two contracts awarded in fiscal year 1996 by the U.S. Army Information Systems Selection and Acquisition Agency, having a current combined three year base total value of $409 million, the Company is the lead systems integrator for the DOD High Performance Computing Modernization Program. Under these contracts, the Company supplies computer hardware and software, provides maintenance and systems integration and provides Internet services to DOD shared resource centers in Dayton, Ohio and Vicksburg, Mississippi. These shared resource centers offer government scientists and engineers access to state-of-the-art high performance computing and communications capabilities. These awards established the Company as a leader in systems integration of high performance computers. The U.S. Government has awarded a total of only four such contracts under a program to modernize its shared computer resources. In fiscal year 1997, the Company was awarded a one year, $4.6 million contract to provide integration services and computer equipment under the DOD High Performance Computing Modernization Program at the Redstone Technical Test Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Other major contracts of this business unit include an eight year, $40.5 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1994 with the State of Alabama to provide complete systems integration and facilities management services for the statewide Alabama Research and Education Network and the Alabama Supercomputer Center. The Company is providing Internet access to state government, industry, college and secondary school clients within the State of Alabama. Under two seven year contracts awarded in fiscal year 1992 and 1993 having an aggregate value of $33.6 million with the Defense Intelligence Agency's Missile and Space Intelligence Center, the Company provides acquisition, installation, Intranet and Internet services, and technical and management services for a high performance scientific computer center. Systems and Intelligence Programs The Company provides services related to the design, development, and support of turnkey information systems, distributed client-server software systems, network security, object-oriented software solutions, and software applications. The Company also provides information system development services in the areas of network security, framework solutions, enterprise solutions, and professional staff augmentation. The Company also develops distributed client-server software systems for data and communications processing, and provides turnkey, computer-based information systems. The Company's information technology services cover a broad spectrum of multi-vendor platforms and operating environments, including client-server and scientific computing. In support of these services, the Company has entered into arrangements with selected vendors such as Sun Microsystems, Digital Equipment Corporation, Novell Corporation, and Silicon Graphics. In addition to being a systems integrator for Sun Integration Services, Sybase, and other companies, the Company is a reseller of products for Novell, Compaq Computer, Dell Computer, Apple Computer, and Hewlett-Packard. Under contracts with a U.S. Government agency, the Company is providing services for the development and processing of information and for the development of a large client-server system to perform high capacity digital communication functions. Information Systems Support The Company provides operating and support services for existing information systems and assists in the development of enhancements that allow these existing systems to meet evolving technical challenges. The Company provides a wide range of services such as workflow management to enhance operations data, training to improve the client's abilities to use existing IT capabilities, support of video teleconferences, document imaging to reduce paperwork, support of desktop computers, network design and development, and software support for new and legacy computer systems. The Company supports federal and state government clients in the use of their information systems to ensure maximum potential and to keep such systems up-to-date with evolving hardware and software technology. The Company is currently performing a five year, $35 million contract awarded in fiscal year 1995 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to upgrade, maintain, and manage their microcomputer local and wide area networks for a primary facility in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as offices in all 50 states and a number of locations around the world. Under a seven year, $2.9 million subcontract awarded in fiscal year 1993 to support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ("NASA") Marshall Space Flight Center, the Company is providing the software and services to design, manage, verify, implement, and maintain NASA's Advanced X-Ray Astro-Physics Facility Offline System. In fiscal year 1997, the Company was awarded a four year $8.5 million Management Support Contract by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization to support an existing management system and provide system design, development, and software integration for the next-generation management system. Other customers for which the Company provides information services include the State of Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Military Systems and Simulation The Company applies its expertise and capabilities in advanced information technology to serve military and other customers. These services include large-scale simulations development, custom software systems, prototype hardware systems, and technical services. The Company designs, develops, and supports large-scale simulations and high-fidelity models in a variety of computer languages and hardware platforms. The Company is experienced in developing user-friendly technologies and developing advanced virtual reality simulations. The Company has significant software engineering resources and an established software process improvement program with experience in all phases of the software development cycle. The Company's work in the areas of data compression, machine vision, neural networks, and fuzzy logic has allowed the Company to become a leader in the areas of image processing and technology integration programs. For example, under contracts having a total value of $1.2 million, the Company is developing imagery exploitation systems for the U.S. Air Force to provide the war fighter real-time imagery information. Nichols Infotec Nichols InfoTec provides information technology and services to commercial customers in telecommunications, judicial and other commercial markets, exclusive of healthcare and insurance. Services offered by Nichols InfoTec include computer systems integration and engineering, application software development and deployment, data warehousing and mining, security systems, and SAP R/3 consulting and implementation. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Nichols InfoTec produced approximately 7% of the Company's revenues. Consulting Services The Company provides IT consulting services such as networking and systems integration, custom business application software development, contract programming and staff supplementation. The Company provides these IT consulting services for clients with personal computer local area networks and wide area networks and computer systems manufactured by vendors such as IBM, Silicon Graphics, Sun Microsystems, and Digital Equipment Corporation. Programming and design capabilities range from traditional software languages to modern graphical user interface client-server development tools. Telecommunications and transportation are the predominant industries served by the Company's consulting business. The Company's clients include MTEL (Skytel), MobileComm, Oreck and KLLM Transport Services and Federal Express. Professional Services Professional services provided by the Company include client-server consulting, systems administration, programming, systems engineering, network consulting, software process improvement consulting and training. The Company's experience covers a broad spectrum of vendor platforms and operating environments. The Company's professional services are marketed primarily to Fortune 1000 companies. SAP(TM) Licensing and Implementation Nichols ENTEC Systems, L.L.C. ("ENTEC") is a joint venture owned 60% by the Company and 40% by DSM Copolymer, Inc., formed to license and implement SAP(TM) software. This software is used to manage accounting, human resources, production planning, materials management, sales and distribution functions. According to SAP publications, this software has been purchased by more than 7,000 customers worldwide. ENTEC is a national Implementation Partner with SAP America, specializing in the implementation of SAP R/3 enterprise-wide business software. ENTEC was recently named a certified ASAP Partner with SAP America in recognition of ENTEC's capability to implement rapidly SAP R/3 software. ENTEC is also a SAP(TM) Certified Business Solutions Partner serving mid-size companies. ENTEC sells SAP R/3 software to companies under $200 million in annual revenues. ENTEC provides a single point of contact for the customer interested in purchasing software, hardware, and services to implement a complete system. Clients include DSM Copolymer, Med Partners, DynMcDermott, American Iron Reduction, and Unity Communications. Systems Development and Evaluation The Company markets and sells its military sensor technologies for commercial applications. For Crane MOVATS, the Company has developed a universal data system to collect performance data in nuclear power plants. The system combines sensor technology with advanced software technology to increase the efficiency of the operators and minimize exposure to radioactive environments. The Company has developed and is manufacturing a fiber optics calibration system known as FOCUS. FOCUS calibrates test equipment used to identify the location of breaks in fiber optic cables without the expense of excavation. The Company has two contracts to provide FOCUS to U.S. Government customers. Commercial Information Technology The Company provides system integration services to customers desiring a single source for their IT requirements. The Company serves as a single source integrator for Federal Express Corporation by providing Interactive Training workstations at 550 locations. The Company stages, configures, tests and deploys multimedia systems that train over 55,000 Federal Express employees. The Company also specializes in law firm information services which include requirements definition, networking, document management, workflow and routing, and complete testing and installation. Customers for these services include Tanner and Guin in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Company provides software development services, including industry - standard Java programming, for a variety of clients. These clients include Federal Express, Sun Microsystems, and Digital Equipment Corporation. In addition, the Company sells a Software Process Improvement Product ("SPIP"), which is used to assist companies in achieving Level 2 of the Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model. Customers for SPIP include Logicon and Concurrent Technologies. The Company provides IT services to support existing information systems such as workflow management, training to improve the client's existing IT capabilities, support of video teleconferences, document imaging, hardware and software support for desktop computers, facilities operation and management, network design and development, and software support for new and existing computer systems. The Company provides these services to commercial clients to ensure maximum utilization of their information systems and to keep their systems up-to-date with evolving technology. Clients include Federal Express, Equifax, The Huntsville Times, and MCI. Nichols Select Nichols SELECT provides high-performance information technology-based services for the administrative side of healthcare. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Nichols SELECT produced approximately 4% of the Company's revenues. The Company identified the healthcare market as an attractive industry for application of its information technology, information services, system integration and wide area network expertise and capabilities. Management believed, however, that the Company needed specific industry knowledge to be successful. Beginning in 1994, the Company began a series of strategic acquisitions and alliances to acquire the necessary healthcare expertise and business acumen. The Company has experienced significant growth providing network-centric information, technology-based services to managed healthcare, hospital-based physicians, physician networks, and workers' compensation markets. The Company has focused its healthcare activities in the areas of practice management services, managed care services, and workers' compensation services. Practice Management Services The Company provides practice management information technology-based services, including appointment scheduling, billing, coding, and collections. These services are offered and enabled through a large network data center that allows physicians to be electronically interconnected to payers, financial institutions, Medicare, and Medicaid. The Company has seen substantial growth in providing services for the administrative side of emergency departments for many of the hospitals in Alabama. The Company's services extend to over 2,000 physicians. Clients include Mobile Infirmary, Radiology Associates, Southern Medical Group, DCH Regional Medical Center, Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, Columbia HCA, Baptist Health Network and Huntsville Hospital. Managed Care Services In August 1997, the Company exercised its option to purchase the remaining capital stock of TXEN, Inc. ("TXEN"). TXEN provides managed care information technology-based services to healthcare administrators nationwide. TXEN offers its managed care solutions following the same business model and approach as the practice management group. TXEN offers a continuum of technical and administrative services built around a large network data center. Capabilities include risk, claim, membership, provider, utilization, and financial management. TXEN has approximately 75 clients located across the United States representing over two million lives. Clients range in size from start-up organizations to health plans with over 250,000 members. Clients include health maintenance organizations, such as Phoenix Healthcare and Harris Methodist Health Plan; preferred provider organizations, such as Emerald Health Network and Beech Street; physician hospital organizations, such as Texas Children's Health Plan and Yale Preferred Health; and third party administrators, such as Equifax Healthcare Administrators and Seabury and Smith. Workers' Compensation Services The Company develops and supports two major packaged software products which are used for property/casualty and workers' compensation insurance systems. One of the products provides rating, underwriting, policy administration, and premium accounting for insurance companies. The other product provides full claims administration and risk management, as well as electronic data transfer and managed care options, which may be used in conjunction with the other products in an insurance company environment. The Company also provides information technology consulting services, customized software development, and packaged solutions for the property and casualty insurance industry. Customers using the software include the State of Alaska, The Kroger Company, Employers' Security Insurance Co., and American Federated General Agency. The Company recently expanded its services by offering a continuum of technology-based services built around a network data center, following the lead of the managed care and practice management services units. HealthGate The Company owns approximately 17% of HealthGate. HealthGate offers an Internet bio-medical and health information system which provides access to databases, journals, textbooks, continuing education programs, and other related information sources. Under a strategic alliance with HealthGate, the Company performs system development services for HealthGate and sells products and other services to HealthGate. HealthGate has enrolled approximately 450,000 clients since commencing operations in December 1995. Competition The Company competes against technical services companies in the defense and aerospace industries, including BDM International, Inc., GRC International, Inc., BTG, Inc., and CACI International, Inc. The information services industry in which the Company operates is highly fragmented with no single company or small group of companies in a dominant position. The Company's competitors include large, diversified firms with substantially greater financial resources and larger technical staffs than the Company. Some of the larger competitors offer services in a number of markets which overlap many of the same areas in which the Company offers services, while certain companies are focused on only one or a few of these markets. The firms which compete with the Company are consulting firms, computer services firms, applications software companies and accounting firms, as well as the computer service arms of computer manufacturing companies and defense and aerospace firms. The primary factors of competition in the business in which the Company is engaged include technical, management and marketing competence, price, and past performance. The federal government market is highly competitive with no single dominating company. Procurement reforms over the last year have increased the importance of a contractor's past performance in deciding new bid awards. Past performance can represent over half the criteria weighting on new awards. The Company emphasizes client satisfaction, as evidenced by the Company's ability to maintain clients for many years and winning all of its major contract re-competes during the last five years. The Company believes that its low overhead and cost structure give it an advantage in bidding on contracts. Marketing For Nichols Federal and Nichols InfoFed, the Company's marketing activities are generally directed by the strategic business unit presidents. The strategic business unit presidents coordinate the marketing activities of program development managers assigned to the executing business units. The program development staff, as well as other Company managers, engineers and scientists, attend new business briefings sponsored by government agencies, review publications and learn of new business opportunities through customer contacts. Potential new procurements are analyzed and evaluated within the unit of the Company that would be principally responsible for performance of the contract. The decision to submit a bid or proposal is made by the responsible unit president through a formal bid review process. For Nichols InfoTec and Nichols SELECT, the Company's marketing services are directed by such unit's vice president of commercial sales. The marketing and sales staff receive a salary plus incentive compensation based on sales. After identifying prospective sales opportunities, the sales and marketing staff coordinates with the technical staff responsible for performing the services to develop each customer proposal which, if accepted, results in a contract award. The corporate marketing staff focuses on selected large procurements and activities associated with major new clients. Resources from across the Company are available to the corporate marketing staff to address major marketing issues. Government Contracts A substantial portion of the Company's revenues are derived from contracts and subcontracts with the DOD and other federal government agencies. A majority of the Company's contracts are competitively bid and awarded on the basis of technical merit, personnel qualifications, experience, and price. The Company also receives some contract awards involving special technical capabilities on a negotiated, noncompetitive basis due to the Company's unique technical capabilities in special areas. Future revenues and income of the Company could be materially affected by changes in procurement policies, a reduction in expenditures for the services provided by the Company, and other risks generally associated with federal government contracts. The Company performs its services under federal government contracts that usually require performance over a period of one to five years. Long-term contracts may be conditioned upon continued availability of Congressional appropriations. Variances between anticipated budget and Congressional appropriations may result in delay, reduction or termination of such contracts. Contractors often experience revenue uncertainties with respect to available contract funding during the first quarter of the government's fiscal year beginning October 1, until differences between budget requests and appropriations are resolved. The Company's federal government contracts are performed under cost-reimbursement contracts, time-and-materials contracts and fixed-price contracts. Cost-reimbursement contracts provide for reimbursement of costs (to the extent allowable under Federal Acquisition Regulations) and for payment of a fee. The fee may be either fixed by the contract (cost-plus-fixed fee) or variable, based upon cost, quality, delivery, and the customer's subjective evaluation of the work (cost-plus-award fee). Under time-and-materials contracts, the Company receives a fixed amount by labor category for services performed and is reimbursed (without fee) for the cost of materials purchased to perform the contract. Under a fixed-price contract, the Company agrees to perform certain work for a fixed price and, accordingly, realizes the benefit or detriment to the extent that the actual cost of performing the work differs from the contract price. Contract revenues for the year ended August 31, 1997 were approximately 49% from cost-reimbursement contracts, approximately 16% from time-and-materials contracts and 35% from fixed-price contracts. The Company's allowable federal government contract costs and fees are subject to audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency ("DCAA"). Audits may result in non-reimbursement of some contract costs and fees. To date, the Company has experienced no material adjustments as a result of audits by the DCAA. The DCAA has not completed audits of the Company's federal contracts for fiscal years 1995, 1996, and 1997. The Company's federal government contracts may be terminated, in whole or in part, at the convenience of the government. If a termination for convenience occurs, the government generally is obligated to pay the cost incurred by the Company under the contract plus a pro rata fee based upon the work completed. When the Company participates as a subcontractor, the Company is at risk if the prime contractor does not perform its contract. Similarly, when the Company as a prime contractor employs subcontractors, the Company is at risk if a subcontractor does not perform its subcontract. Some of the Company's federal government contracts contain options which are exercisable at the discretion of the customer. An option may extend the period of performance for one or more years for additional consideration on terms and conditions similar to those contained in the original contract. An option may also increase the level of effort and assign new tasks to the Company. In the Company's experience, options are usually exercised. The Company's eligibility to perform under its federal government contracts requires the Company to maintain adequate security measures. The Company has implemented security procedures necessary to satisfy the requirements of its federal government contracts. Backlog The Company had a backlog of approximately $1.2 billion, including options of $300.3 million, at August 31, 1997. The Company had a backlog of $1.0 billion, including options of $501.8 million, at August 31, 1996, and a backlog of $505.7 million, including options of $217.8 million, at August 31, 1995. Backlog represents the amount of revenues expected to be realized from awarded contracts. Therefore, the amount in backlog is typically less than the face amount of the contract. The amount includes estimates based on the Company's experience with similar awards and customers and estimates of revenues that would be recognized from the performance of options, under existing contracts, that may be exercised by the customer. These estimates are reviewed periodically and are adjusted based on the latest available information. Historically, these adjustments have not been significant. Because contracts in backlog are typically multi-year contracts, an increase in backlog may not translate into proportional revenue growth in any future period. Management believes that approximately 20% to 25% of the Company's backlog at August 31, 1997, will result in revenues for the year ending August 31, 1998. The backlog amounts as presented are comprised of funded and unfunded components. Funded backlog represents the sum of contract amounts for which funds have been specifically obligated by customers to contracts. Unfunded backlog represents future contract or option amounts that customers may obligate over the specified contract performance periods. The Company's customers allocate funds for expenditures on long-term contracts on a periodic basis. The Company is committed to provide services under its contracts to the extent funds are provided. The funded component of the Company's backlog at August 31, 1997 was approximately $162.2 million. The funded components of the Company's backlog at August 31, 1996 and 1995, were $99.5 million and $56.0 million, respectively. The ability of the Company to realize revenues from contracts in backlog is dependent upon adequate funding for such contracts. Although funding of its contracts is not within the Company's control, actual contract fundings have been approximately equal to the aggregate amounts of the contracts. Intellectual Property Rights The Company's success has resulted, in part, from its methodologies and other proprietary intellectual property rights. The Company relies upon a combination of trade secret, nondisclosure and other contractual arrangements and technical measures to protect its proprietary rights. The Company generally enters into confidentiality and nonsolicitation agreements with its clients and potential clients and limits access to and distribution of its proprietary information. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by the Company in this regard will be adequate to deter misappropriation of its proprietary information or that the Company will be able to detect unauthorized use and take appropriate steps to enforce its intellectual property rights. The Company's business does not depend on patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Management believes that the Company's success depends on the innovative skills and technical competence of its personnel rather than on the ownership of patents, copyrights or trademarks. Technology developed by the Company under its federal contracts is owned by the U.S. Government. Employees At August 31, 1997 the Company had 2,109 full-time employees. Of the Company's professional employees, approximately 83% hold undergraduate degrees and approximately 58% hold advanced degrees. None of the Company's employees is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company considers its relationship with its employees to be good. PART II ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Overview and Business Environment The Company is a leading provider of high-performance technology-based solutions and services where information access, movement, and evaluation are mission-critical to an organization's success. The Company provides these services to a wide range of clients, including the Department of Defense (DOD), other federal agencies, state and local governments, healthcare and insurance organizations, and commercial enterprises. The Company was founded in 1976 to develop specialized optical sensing capabilities for military weapons and ballistic defense programs. Until fiscal year 1991, virtually all of the Company's revenues were derived under contracts with the federal government relating to high technology weapons systems, strategic missile defense and other related aerospace technologies. Areas of particular strength have included tactical technology, smart sensing systems, simulations, data processing, systems engineering and systems integration (including software development, networking, hardware acquisition and installation, user training and system operation and maintenance). Beginning in fiscal year 1991, in response to increasing budget pressure on military procurements, the Company strategically began to develop applications for its technical capabilities outside its traditional core military business. Although the Company's core military business has continued to grow, the Company has successfully entered the markets for other government information technology solutions, as well as information technology solutions in the healthcare industry and other commercial markets. The Company's business strategy consists of three key elements: (i) maintain the Company's leadership in technology in its current markets; (ii) apply the Company's technology to create solutions for new clients; and (iii) make strategic acquisitions and form alliances to expand the business of the Company and gain industry knowledge. The Company's business and financial performance are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below. In July 1996, the Company announced a formal organization definition for its four strategic business units. The organizations reflect the particular market focus of each line of business. Nichols Federal provides technical services primarily to U.S. Government defense agencies. Nichols InfoFed provides information and technology services to a variety of governmental agencies. Nichols InfoTec provides information and technology services to various commercial clients. Nichols SELECT provides information services to clients in the healthcare and insurance industries. For the year ended August 31, 1997, the percentage of total revenues attributable to the four business units was approximately 53% for Nichols Federal, 36% for Nichols InfoFed, 7% for Nichols InfoTec, and 4% for Nichols SELECT. The percentage of revenues represented by Nichols SELECT for fiscal year 1998 is expected to increase as a result of acquiring the remaining 80.1% of TXEN, Inc. on August 29, 1997 (see Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The acquired in-process technology consisted of ten software development programs and systems to reduce the time and personnel needed to perform managed care administrative functions and provde enhanced information reports. Projects are expected to be completed in fiscal year 1999. To the extent the in-process technology is not successfully developed, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operating results and financial condition. Expansion through acquisitions is an important component of the Company's overall business strategy. The Company has successfully completed eight strategic acquisitions and alliances since September 1, 1994, most of which have centered on information technology (IT) and healthcare information services markets. Since the respective dates of the acquisitions, the Company has integrated these acquired entities in order to draw on the Company's base of technical expertise and capabilities in designing solutions for government, commercial, and healthcare clients. The Company's continued ability to grow by acquisitions is dependent upon, and may be limited by, the availability of compatible acquisition candidates at reasonable prices, the Company's ability to fund or finance acquisitions on acceptable terms, and the Company's ability to maintain or enhance the profitability of any acquired business. As part of the Company's business strategy to enter new markets, the Company continues to pursue large systems integration contracts in both the government and commercial markets, although competition for such contracts is intense and many of the Company's competitors have greater resources than the Company. While such contracts are working capital intensive, requiring large equipment and software purchases to be funded by the Company before payment from the customer, the Company believes such contracts offer attractive revenue growth and margin expansion opportunities for the Company's range of technical expertise and capabilities. The Company's revenues and earnings may fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on such factors as the number, size, and scope of projects in which the Company is engaged, the contractual terms and degree of completion of such projects, expenditures required by the Company in connection with such projects, any delays incurred in connection with such projects, employee utilization rates, the adequacy of provisions for losses, the accuracy of estimates of resources required to complete ongoing projects, and general economic conditions. Under certain contracts, the Company is required to purchase and resell to the customer large amounts of computer hardware and other equipment. Revenues are accrued when this equipment is acquired for resale, and as a result, quarterly revenues will be impacted by fluctuations related to equipment purchases which occur on a periodic basis depending on contract terms. Approximately 88%, 76%, and 81% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal 1997, fiscal 1996, and fiscal 1995 were derived from contracts or subcontracts funded by the U.S. Government. These U.S. Government contracts include military weapons systems contracts funded by DOD that accounted for approximately 53%, 57%, and 69% of the Company's total revenues in such years, respectively. The Company believes that the success and development of its business will continue to be dependent upon its ability to participate in U.S. Government contract programs. Accordingly, the Company's financial performance may be directly affected by changing U.S. Government procurement practices and policies. Other factors that could materially and adversely affect the Company's government contracting business and programs include budgetary constraints, changes in fiscal policies or available funding, changes in government programs or requirements (including proposals to abolish certain government agencies or departments, curtailing the U.S. Government's use of technology services firms, the adoption of new laws or regulations), technological developments and general economic conditions. These factors could cause U.S. Government agencies to exercise their rights to terminate existing contracts for convenience or not to exercise options to renew such contracts. In addition, certain of the Company's contracts individually contribute a significant percentage of the Company's revenues. For the year ended August 31, 1997, the Company's two largest contracts (by revenues) were high-performance systems integration contracts, which generated approximately 30% of the Company's total revenues for such period; these two contracts are expected to represent less than 15% of fiscal year 1998 revenues. The Company's five largest contracts (by revenues) generated approximately 50% of the Company's total revenues for such period. The Company expects revenues to continue to be concentrated in a relatively small number of large U.S. Government contracts. Termination of such contracts, or the Company's inability to renew or replace such contracts when they expire, could materially and adversely affect the Company's revenues and income. Historically, a majority of the Company's revenues (53% for the year ended August 31, 1997) are related to U.S. military weapons systems. The U.S. military weapons budget has been declining in real terms since the mid-1980s, resulting in some cases in program delays, extensions, and cancellations. A further significant decline in U.S. military expenditures for weapons systems, or a reduction in the weapons systems portion of the defense budget, could materially and adversely affect the Company. The loss or significant curtailment of the Company's U.S. military contracts would materially and adversely affect the Company's revenues and income. Approximately 20% of the Company's revenues in fiscal 1997 were from contracts related to Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), compared to 26% of revenues in fiscal 1996 and 33% of revenues in fiscal 1995 from such contracts. Strategic defense has existed for more than 26 years as a mission of DOD through activities such as the BMD program. If a decision were made to reduce substantially the scope of current BMD programs, management believes that many national and theater missile defense programs would continue to be funded by the U.S. Army and Air Force, and other DOD agencies. While the Company has expanded into other markets, a decision to reduce significantly or eliminate missile defense funding would have an adverse effect on the Company's revenues and income. The Company performs its services under U.S. Government contracts that usually require performance over a period of one to five years. Long-term contracts may be conditioned upon continued availability of Congressional appropriations. Variances between anticipated budgets and Congressional appropriations may result in delay, reduction, or termination of such contracts. Contractors can experience revenue uncertainties with respect to available contract funding during the first quarter of the government's fiscal year beginning October 1, until differences between budget requests and appropriations are resolved. The Company's contracts with the U.S. Government and its prime contractors are subject to termination, in whole or in part, either upon default by the Company or at the convenience of the government. The termination for convenience provisions generally entitle the Company to recover costs incurred, settlement expenses, and profit on work completed prior to termination. Because the Company contracts to supply goods and services to the U.S. Government, it is also subject to other risks, including contract suspensions, audit adjustments, protests by disappointed bidders of contract awards which can result in the re-opening of the bidding process and changes in government policies or regulations. The Company's services are provided primarily through three types of contracts: fixed-price, time-and-materials and cost-reimbursement contracts. Fixed-price contracts require the Company to perform services under a contract at a stipulated price. Time-and-materials contracts reimburse the Company for the number of labor hours expended at an established hourly rate negotiated in the contract, plus the cost of materials incurred. Under cost-reimbursement contracts, the Company is reimbursed for all actual costs incurred in performing the contract to the extent that such costs are within the contract ceiling and allowable under the terms of the contract, plus a fee or profit. The Company assumes greater financial risk on fixed-price contracts than on either time-and-materials or cost-reimbursement contracts. As the Company increases its commercial business, it believes that an increasing percentage of its contracts will be fixed-priced. Failure to anticipate technical problems, estimate costs accurately, or control costs during performance of a fixed-price contract, may reduce the Company's profit or cause a loss. In addition, greater risks are involved under time-and-materials contracts than under cost-reimbursement contracts because the Company assumes the responsibility for the delivery of specified skills at a fixed hourly rate. Although management believes that adequate provision for its fixed-price and time-and-materials contracts is reflected in the Company's financial statements, no assurance can be given that this provision is adequate or that losses on fixed-price and time-and-materials contracts will not occur in the future. To compete successfully for business, the Company must satisfy client requirements at competitive rates. Although the Company continually attempts to lower its costs, there are other information technology and technical services companies that may provide the same or similar services at comparable or lower rates than the Company. Additionally, certain of the Company's clients require that their vendors reduce rates after services have commenced. The Company's success will also depend upon its ability to attract, retain, train, and motivate highly skilled employees, particularly in the areas of information technology, where such employees are in great demand. Results of Operations - ----------------------- The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentages which certain items bear to consolidated revenues and the percentage change of such items for the periods indicated. The amounts for fiscal year 1997 include the impact of the $12 million write-off of purchased in-process research and development associated with the acquisition of TXEN, Inc.:
Percentage of Revenues Percentage Increase (Decrease) ---------------------- ------------------------------ 1997 1996 1995 1997-1996 1996-1995 ---- ---- ---- --------- --------- Revenues 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 56.7% 42.3% Costs and expenses: Direct and allocable costs ............. 88.3 84.9 86.6 62.9 39.4 General and administrative expenses ............................. 6.8 9.1 7.6 17.3 71.5 Write-off of purchased in-process research and development ........................... 3.2 -- -- n/a n/a Total costs and expenses ............... 98.3 94.0 94.2 63.7 42.0 Operating profit ........................... 1.7 6.0 5.8 (54.8) 46.1 Other income (expense), net ................ .3 .1 .8 183.6 (74.2) Income before income taxes .................. 2.0 6.1 6.6 (48.6) 30.3 Income taxes ................................ 1.9 2.2 2.4 32.8 30.0 Net income .................................. 0.1% 3.9% 4.2% (95.0%) 30.4%
The following table summarizes the percentage of revenue by contract type for the periods indicated: 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- Cost-reimbursement ........ 49% 51% 48% Fixed-price ............... 35 22 16 Time-and-materials ........ 16 27 36 ---- ---- ---- 100% 100% 100% The table below presents contract award and backlog data for the periods indicated:
1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- (in thousands) Contract award amount ................. $ 679,174 $ 598,653 $174,049 Backlog (with options) ................ $1,228,362 $1,003,135 $505,744 Backlog (without options) ............. $ 300,337 $ 501,373 $287,977 Backlog percentage by contract type: Cost-reimbursement ............... 45% 60% 64% Fixed-price ...................... 30% 30% 18% Time-and-materials ............... 25% 10% 18%
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR FISCAL 1997 WITH FISCAL 1996 REVENUES. Revenues increased $137.4 million (56.7%) in fiscal 1997. Approximately 72% of the increase was attributable to revenues from two high performance system integration contracts awarded in 1996. During fiscal year 1997, the two contracts generated 30% of the Company's total revenues. At August 31, 1997 a substantial portion of the two contract values have been realized and it is expected that the contracts will generate less than 15% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal year 1998. Approximately 21% of the increase in revenues was attributable to acquisitions completed late in fiscal year 1996. Approximately 7% of the increase in revenues was attributable to the existing contract base. OPERATING PROFIT. The Company expensed $12 million of costs in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 for research and development activities in-process at the time of the acquisition of the remaining 80.1% of TXEN, Inc. stock. Including the $12 million write-off of purchased in-process research and development associated with the acquisition of TXEN, Inc., operating profit decreased $7.9 million (54.8%) in fiscal 1997. Excluding the $12 million write-off of purchased in-process research and development, operating profit increased $4.1 million (28.8%) in fiscal 1997. Including the write-off of purchased in-process research and development, costs and expenses were 98.3% of revenues compared to 94.0% for fiscal 1996. The write-off of purchased in-process research and development represents 3.2% of total costs and expenses. Excluding the purchase of in-process research and development, costs and expenses were 95.1% of revenues for fiscal 1997 as compared to 94.0% for fiscal 1996. Direct and allocable costs increased 62.9% ($129.4 million) in fiscal 1997 as compared to fiscal 1996. The increase is primarily the result of increased purchases of hardware, software and subcontractor services in the performance of government contracts. Direct and allocable costs as a percent of revenue increased to 88.3% in fiscal 1997 as compared to 84.9% in fiscal 1996 as a result of lower margins typically realized on the purchased hardware, software, and subcontractor services. General and administrative expenses increased 17.3% ($3.8 million) in fiscal 1997 as compared to fiscal 1996. The increase is primarily a result of investments in marketing and infrastructure resources made in fiscal 1997 which are expected to support future commercial revenues. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE). Other income (expense) increased $200,000 in 1997 as compared to 1996. Other income includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates and interest income; other expense includes interest expense and minority interest. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates primarily represents the Company's share of earnings of TXEN, Inc. As of August 29, 1997, TXEN, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Interest income is from the investment of the Company's cash reserves. Substantially all available cash is invested in interest-bearing accounts or fixed income instruments. Minority interest primarily represents the minority partner's share of earnings of Holland Technology Group and Holland Software Solutions joint ventures, 60% of which are owned by the Company. The Company began consolidating these entities at the beginning of fiscal year 1997. Income Taxes. Income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes was 93.7% in fiscal 1997 and 36.3% in fiscal 1996. The $12 million write-off of purchased in-process research and development in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 is not deductible for tax purposes. NET INCOME. Including the $12 million write-off of purchased in-process research and development, net income decreased $8.9 million (95.0%) for fiscal 1997 as compared to fiscal 1996. The decrease is the result of the impact of the $12 million write-off of purchased in-process research and development. EARNINGS PER SHARE. Earnings per share for fiscal 1997 were $0.04 as compared to $0.92 for fiscal 1996, a decrease of 95.6%. Excluding the $12 million write-off of purchased in-process research and development, earnings per share were $1.02 as compared to $0.92 for fiscal 1996, a 10.9% increase. Excluding the $12 million write-off of purchased in-process research and development, net income increased 32.8% ($3.1 million), while weighted average shares outstanding increased 19.9% (2,035,672 shares) for fiscal 1997 as compared to fiscal 1996. Comparison of Operating Results for Fiscal 1996 with Fiscal 1995 REVENUES. Revenues increased $72.0 million (42.3%) in fiscal 1996. Approximately 25% of the increase was attributable to revenues from the high performance systems integration contracts. Approximately 35% of the increase was attributable to acquisitions completed in fiscal year 1996 and late fiscal 1995. Approximately 40% of the increase in revenues was attributable to the existing contract base. OPERATING PROFIT. Operating profit increased $4.5 million (46.1%) in fiscal 1996. Costs and expenses were 94.0% of revenues for fiscal 1996 as compared to 94.2% for fiscal 1995. The reduction in direct and allocable costs as a percentage of revenues was offset by increases in general and administrative expenses. The Company used contract cost reductions and increased margins to fund increases in business development and marketing efforts, primarily with commercial market opportunities. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE). Other income consists primarily of interest income. Substantially all available cash is invested in interest-bearing accounts or fixed income instruments. The decrease in other income (expense) for fiscal 1996 is the result of the use of cash to make strategic acquisitions and investments and an increase in interest expense on borrowings used to make strategic acquisitions. INCOME TAXES. Income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes was 36.3% in fiscal 1996 as compared to 36.4% in fiscal 1995. NET INCOME. Net income increased $2.2 million (30.4%) for fiscal 1996 as compared to fiscal 1995. The increase is the result of the reasons discussed above. EARNINGS PER SHARE. Earnings per share for fiscal 1996 were $0.92 as compared to $0.76 for fiscal 1995, an increase of 21.1%. Net income increased 30.4% ($2.2 million), while weighted average shares outstanding increased 8.7% (820,035 shares) for fiscal 1996 as compared to fiscal 1995. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Historically, the Company's positive cash flow from operations and available credit facilities have provided adequate liquidity and working capital to fully fund the Company's operational needs and support the acquisition program. Working capital was $66.6 million, $72.7 million, and $46.8 million at August 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Operating activities provided cash of $16.0 million for the year ended August 31, 1997, used cash of $5.0 million for the year ended August 31, 1996 and provided cash of $6.8 million for the year ended August 31, 1995. The Company realized proceeds from the sale of common stock and reissuance of treasury stock of $4.6 million, $33.3 million, and $2.3 million for the years ended August 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The proceeds of $33.3 million in fiscal 1996 include net proceeds of $30.7 million from the sale of its common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement covering 1,678,050 shares of the Company's common stock (as adjusted for a 3 for 2 stock split effective October 21, 1996). These proceeds were used to repay $14.5 million of indebtedness under its existing bank line of credit facility and fund working capital requirements. The Company has a bank line of credit of $73.5 million which expires in November 1997. The Company believes that this line of credit will be renewed or replaced with a comparable facility at similar terms and conditions. The credit agreement provides for interest at London Interbank Offered Rate plus 1.25% and a commitment fee on the unused portion of the line of credit. Outstanding borrowings are secured primarily by accounts receivable. In fiscal 1995, the Company borrowed $2.2 million under an Alabama State Industrial Development Bond program offering certain incentives which effectively reduced the cost of borrowing. The proceeds were utilized to expand acquisitions of property and equipment for information technology programs. Purchases of property and equipment were $4.4 million, $5.1 million, and $2.2 million for the years ended August 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. There are no material capital expenditure commitments at August 31, 1997. The Company is regularly evaluating potential acquisition candidates. In fiscal 1995, the Company acquired a 100% interest in three separate information system development and technology companies. These companies provide services primarily to commercial and healthcare clients. The aggregate cash consideration for these transactions was approximately $11.4 million. In May 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Advanced Marine Enterprises (AME), Inc. for cash consideration of approximately $15.1 million and 108,066 shares of Company stock. These acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, resulting in intangible assets with estimated useful lives ranging from five to fifteen years. In fiscal year 1995, the Company purchased 19.9% of TXEN for approximately $1.5 million. In August 1997, the Company exercised its option to acquire the remaining 80.1% interest of TXEN, Inc. (TXEN) for aggregate consideration of approximately $43.8 million, consisting of approximately $17.6 million in cash and $26.3 million in Company stock. The total purchase price with respect to the TXEN acquisition has been allocated to the TXEN assets and liabilities on a preliminary basis, subject to a final allocation among intangible assets. The preliminary allocation of intangible assets includes $12 million to in-process research and development, expensed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, and $29.9 million to goodwill. The portion of such $29.9 million classified as goodwill will be amortized using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of twenty years. If all or a part of such $29.9 million is allocated to intangible assets other than goodwill, such assets would likely have an amortization period of less than twenty years. In fiscal 1996, the Company was awarded two contracts for information system development and computer system integration activities, which required the Company to acquire substantial amounts of computer hardware for resale or lease to customers. The Company continues to actively pursue other contracts that could require similar equipment acquisitions. The timing of payments to suppliers and payments from customers under the Company's system integration contracts could cause cash flows from operations to fluctuate from period to period. The Company believes that its existing capital resources, together with available borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to fund operating needs, finance acquisitions of property and equipment, and make strategic acquisitions, if appropriate. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 128, Earnings Per Share. The overall objective of Statement No. 128 is to simplify the calculation of earnings per share (EPS) and achieve comparability with recently issued international accounting standards. The company will first report on the new EPS basis in the fourth quarter ending August 31, 1998. Subsequent to the effective date, all prior period EPS amounts (including information regarding EPS in interim financial statements, earnings summaries, and selected financial data) are required to be restated to conform to the provisions of Statement No. 128. EFFECTS OF INFLATION Substantially all contracts awarded to the Company have been based on proposals which reflect estimated cost increases due to inflation. Historically, inflation has not had a significant impact on the Company. PART IV ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a)(1) The financial statements and other financial information of Nichols Research Corporation set forth below and the Report of Independent Auditors thereon are incorporated by reference from pages 24 through 35 of this Form 10-K Annual Report: Consolidated Balance Sheets at August 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 Consolidated Statements of Income for the three years ended August 31, 1997 Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity for the three years ended August 31, 1997 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended August 31, 1997 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors Selected Quarterly Financial Data (2) All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto. (3) Exhibits: EXHIBIT NUMBER AND METHOD OF FILLING REFERENCE DESCRIPTION 2.1 L Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 31, 1996, between Registrant and the shareholders of Advanced Marine Enterprises, Inc. 2.2 T Agreement of Merger dated August 27, 1997, between Registrant, Nichols SELECT Corporation, TXEN, Inc., and the shareholders of TXEN, Inc. 3.1 M Certificate of Incorporation and Amendments thereto. 3.2 K By-laws and Amendments thereto. 4.0 D Specimen Stock Certificate. 10.1 J Lease Agreement dated August 26, 1993, between Registrant, as Lessee, and Parkway Properties I, as Lessor for office space on Nichols Drive in Huntsville, Alabama. 10.2 B Performance Bonus Plan of Registrant dated July 1, 1986.* 10.3 D&F Non-Employee Officer and Director Stock Option Plan of Registrant.* 10.4 D&I 1988 Employees' Stock Purchase Plan of Registrant and Amendments Number One and Two thereto.* 10.5 J Lease dated February 18, 1992, between Parkway Properties II, as Lessor, and Registrant, as Lessee, for office space located at 4035 Chris Drive, Huntsville, Alabama, together with exhibits. 10.6 N Lease dated January 25, 1996, between High Tech Properties, as Lessor, and Registrant, as Lessee, for office space located at 1900 Golf Road, Huntsville, Alabama, together with exhibits. 10.7 E&Q Nichols Research Corporation 1989 Incentive Stock Option Plan.* 10.8 J Credit Agreement dated February 9, 1994, between the Registrant and SouthTrust Bank relating to a $22,000,000 revolving line of credit and a $5,771,000 term loan. 10.9 G&R Nichols Research Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan.* 10.10 H Amendments Three and Four to the 1988 Employees' Stock Purchase Plan of Registrant.* 10.11 H Amendment to Non-Employee Officer and Director Stock Option Plan of Registrant.* 10.12 H Amendment to 1989 Incentive Stock Option Plan of Registrant.* 10.13 J Amendment Number Five to the 1988 Employees' Stock Purchase Plan of Registrant.* 10.14 J Amendment Number Two to the Non-Employee Officer and Director Stock Option Plan of Registrant.* 10.15 J Amendment Number One to the 1991 Stock Option Plan of Registrant.* 10.16 K Amendments Two & Three to the 1991 Stock Option Plan of Registrant.* 10.17 K Credit Agreement dated August 16, 1995, between the Registrant, SouthTrust Bank of Alabama, NA, First Alabama Bank, and Corestates Bank, NA. 10.18 K Lease dated July 31, 1995, between Parkway Properties, as Lessor, and Registrant, as Lessee, for office space located at 1910 Nichols Drive, Huntsville, Alabama. 10.19 K Employment Agreement dated May 16, 1995, between Registrant and John A. Conway, Jr.* 10.20 K Employment Agreement dated June 30, 1995, between Registrant and Donald Y. Menendez.* 10.21 K Employment Agreement dated August 24, 1995, and Amendment thereto between Registrant and D. Bruce McIndoe.* 10.22 K Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 16, 1994, between Registrant and TXEN, Inc. 10.23 K Stock Purchase Option Agreement dated December 16, 1994, among Registrant, TXEN, Inc. and shareholders of TXEN, Inc. 10.24 K Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 1, 1994 between Registrant and Michael J. Mruz.* 10.25 M Amendment Number One to Stock Purchase Option Agreement among Registrant, TXEN, Inc. and the shareholders of TXEN, Inc. dated July 16, 1996. 10.26 M Amendment Number One to Convertible Stock Purchase Agreement between Registrant and TXEN, Inc. dated July 16, 1996. 10.27 L Employment Agreement dated May 31, 1996, between Advanced Marine Enterprises, Inc., and John T. Drewry.* 10.28 L Employment Agreement dated May 31, 1996, between Advanced Marine Enterprises, Inc., and Otto P. Jons.* 10.29 P Amendment Six to the Nichols Research Corporation 1988 Employee's Stock Purchase Plan.* 10.30 Q Amendment Three to the Nichols Research Corporation 1989 Incentive Stock Option Plan.* 10.31 R Amendment Five to the Nichols Research Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan.* 10.32 S Amendment Four to the Nichols Research Corporation Non-Employee Officer and Director Stock Option Plan.* 10.33 U Amendment Two to Employment Agreement dated September 1, 1997 between Nichols Research Corporation and Michael J. Mruz.* 10.34 T Employment Agreement with Thomas L. Patterson, and Amendment to such Employment Agreement.* 10.35 U Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated August 16, 1995 between Registrants, SouthTrust Bank, N.A., Regions Bank, and Corestates Bank, N.A. 11 A Computation of Earnings Per Share. 21 A Subsidiaries of Registrant. 23 U Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors. 27 A Financial Data Schedule. 99.1 A Consent of Thomas L. Patterson. 99.2 A Consent of Daniel W. McGlaughlin. 99.3 A Consent of David Friend. - ------------------- A Previously filed. B Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on November 21, 1986 with the Company's registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 33-10323. D Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on November 28, 1989 with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1989, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. E Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on November 16, 1990 with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1990, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. F Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on January 18, 1991 with the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 33-38568. G Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on November 20, 1992 with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1992, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. H Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on November 26, 1993 with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1993, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. I Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on February 7, 1989 with the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 33-13464. J Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on November 28, 1994 with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. K Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on November 29, 1995 with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. L Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on June 17, 1996 with the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 31, 1996, as amended, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. M Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed July 25, 1996 with the Company's registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 333-08787. N Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on November 25, 1996 with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, under the Securities Act of 1934. P Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on June 13, 1997 with the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 333-07164. Q Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on December 10, 1991 with the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 33-44409, as amended by Form S-8 on June 13, 1997 (File No. 333-07160). R Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on December 7, 1992 with the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 33-55454, as amended by Form S-8 on June 13, 1997(File No. 333-07162). S Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed on June 23, 1997 with the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 333-29791. T Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 31, 1997, under the Securities Act of 1934. U Filed herewith. * Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this report. (b)Reports on Form 8-K. A Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 31, 1997,(i)reporting the Registrant's acquisition of TXEN,Inc.(TXEN) and (ii)providing the audited financial statements of TXEN for the years ended June 30, 1997 and 1996, was filed with the Commission September 11, 1997. An amendment to that Form 8-K was filed with the Commission on November 10, 1997, to file the pro forma financial information of TXEN. (c)Exhibits. The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. (d)Financial Statement Schedules. The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. NICHOLS RESEARCH CORPORATION By: Chris H. Horgen ------------------------ Chris H. Horgen Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer) Date: January 13, 1999 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date ---------- ----- ---- Chris H. Horgen Chairman of the Board January 13, 1999 --------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Chris H. Horgen Michael J. Mruz Chief Executive Officer and Director January 13, 1999 --------------- Michael J. Mruz Patsy L. Hattox Corporate Vice President, Chief January 13, 1999 --------------- Administrative Officer, Secretary and Director Patsy L. Hattox Roy J. Nichols Senior Vice President and Director January 13, 1999 -------------- Roy J. Nichols Roger P. Heinisch Director January 13, 1999 ----------------- Roger P. Heinisch John R. Wynn Director January 13, 1999 ------------ John R. Wynn William E. Odom Director January 13, 1999 --------------- William E. Odom James R. Thompson, Jr. Director January 13, 1999 ---------------------- James R. Thompson, Jr. Phil E. Depoy Director January 13, 1999 ------------- Phil E. Depoy Thomas L. Patterson Director January 13, 1999 ------------------- Thomas L. Patterson Daniel W. McGlaughlin Director January 13, 1999 --------------------- Daniel W. McGlaughlin Allen E. Dillard Corporate Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, January 13, 1999 ---------------- and Corporate Treasurer(Principal Financial and Allen E. Dillard Accounting Officer)
INDEX TO EXHIBITS ----------------- EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- 10.33 Amendment Two To Employment Agreement Between Nichols Research Corporation and Michael J. Mruz 10.35 Third Amendment To Credit Agreement 23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors. EX-10.33 2 EXHIBIT 10.33 AMENDMENT TWO TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN NICHOLS RESEARCH CORPORATION AND MICHAEL J. MRUZ THIS AMENDMENT TWO to that certain Employment Agreement dated June 6, 1994, as amended on August 16, 1994, between NICHOLS RESEARCH CORPORATION (the "Company") and MICHAEL J. MRUZ (the "Employee") is made and entered into by the Company and the Employee on this the 21st day of August, 1997. R E C I T A L S The Company and the Employee entered into an employment agreement dated June 6, 1994, as amended on August 16, 1994 (the "Employment Agreement"), providing for the employment of the Employee as President of the Company commencing August 16, 1994. The parties desire to provide that upon the effective date of this Amendment the Employee shall assume the duties of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, subject to the terms and provisions herein set forth. A G R E E M E N T THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the parties hereby agree, as follows: 1. Effective September 1, 1997, Section 1 of the Employment Agreement is hereby amended by deleting all of Section 1 thereof and substituting in its place the following: The Employee shall be employed on a full-time basis as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall perform such duties as the chief executive officer of the Company would normally perform, subject to the direction of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Chairman"), provided the Chairman is a full-time employee of the Company, and the Board of Directors. Until such time as the Company employs a President, the Employee shall also perform the duties of President of the Company, subject to the direction of the Chairman, provided the Chairman is a full-time employee of the Company, and the Board of Directors. The Employee understands that the position of President is temporary until such time as the Board of Directors elects a President of the Company. The Employee and the Chairman have on the date hereof executed a memorandum of understanding which delineates the division of responsibilities between the Employee and the Chairman. 2. Except as herein modified, the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect according to its original terms and conditions as amended by Amendment One thereto. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto executed this Amendment Two on this the date and year first above written. NICHOLS RESEARCH CORPORATION By: Chris H. Horgen ------------------------------- Chris H. Horgen, Chairman of the Board Michael J. Mruz ------------------------------- Michael J. Mruz, Employee NICHOLS RESEARCH CORPORATION EX-10.35 3 EXHIBIT 10.35 THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "Third Amendment") is made and entered into effective as of the 29th day of September, 1997, by and between NICHOLS RESEARCH CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), SOUTHTRUST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association f/k/a SouthTrust Bank of Alabama, National Association ("SouthTrust"), REGIONS BANK, an Alabama state banking corporation f/k/a First Alabama Bank ("Regions"), and CORESTATES BANK, N.A., a national banking association ("Corestates") (SouthTrust, Regions, and Corestates being collectively referred to herein as the "Banks"). RECITALS: A. Borrower and Banks are parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated August 16, 1995, as amended by that certein First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated March 31, 1997, and as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated June 24, 1997 (as amended, the "Credit Agreement") pursuant to which Banks have made a $73,500,000 line of credit loan to the Borrower. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement. B. Borrower has requested that the Commitment Termination Date be extended to November 30, 1997, and as a condition to such extension, Banks have required the execution of this Third Amendment. AGREEMENT NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1. Article I of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of "Commitment Termination Date" in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof the following definition: "COMMITMENT TERMINATION DATE" means the first to occur of (1) November 30, 1997, or such later date as Borrower and Banks may agree upon in writing pursuant to Section 2.11 hereof, it being agreed that Banks shall have no obligation to extend the commitment Termination Date, or (2) the date that Banks, by reason of an Event of Default, suspend the making of further Advances. 2. No right of Banks with respect to the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents are or will be in any manner released, destroyed, diminished, or otherwise adversely affected by this Third Amendment. 3. Except as hereby expressly modified and amended, the Credit Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Credit Agreement, as amended, is hereby ratified and affirmed in all respects. Borrower confirms that it has no defenses or setoffs with respect to its obligations pursuant to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby. 4. Borrower represents and warrants to Banks that all representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof, and no Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred or exists. 5. All references to the Credit Agreement in any of the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to refer, from and after the date hereof, to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby. 6. This Third Amendment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assignors. 7. This Third Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 8. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY ON ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM, SETOFF, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (I) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY PERTAINING OR RELATING TO THIS THIRD AMENDMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR (II) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR PERTAINING OR RELATED TO OR INCIDENTAL TO ANY DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THE FOREGOING OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO OR CONTEMPLATED THEREBY OR THE EXERCISE OF ANY PARTY'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES THEREUNDER, IN ALL OF THE FOREGOING CASES WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, BORROWER AGREES THAT BANKS MAY FILE A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE KNOWING, VOLUNTARY AND BARGAINED AGREEMENT OF BORROWER IRREVOCABLY TO WAIVE ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY, AND THAT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY WHATSOEVER BETWEEN BORROWER AND BANKS SHALL INSTEAD BE TRIED IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Third Amendment to be properly executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers to be effective as of the day and year first above written. NICHOLS RESEARCH CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION By: Allen E. Dillard --------------------------------------- Its Chief Financial Officer --------------------------------------- SOUTHTRUST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION By: Kevin Horton --------------------------------------- Kevin Horton Its Assistant Vice President REGIONS BANK, AN ALABAMA STATE BANKING CORPORATION F/K/A FIRST ALABAMA BANK By: Kenneth D. Watson --------------------------------------- Its Vice President --------------------------------------- CORESTATES BANK, N.A., A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION By: Karen Leaf --------------------------------------- Its Vice President --------------------------------------- EX-23 4 EXHIBIT 23 Consent of Independent Auditors We consent to the inclusion in this Annual Report (Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1) of Nichols Research Corporation of our report dated October 8, 1997, included in the 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders of Nichols Research Corporation. We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-13464) pertaining to the Nichols Research Corporation 1984 Incentive Stock Option Plan and in the related Prospectus of our report dated October 8, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Nichols Research Corporation included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended August 31, 1997. We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-07164) pertaining to the Nichols Research Corporation 1988 Employees Stock Purchase Plan and in the related Prospectus of our report dated October 8, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Nichols Research Corporation included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended August 31, 1997. We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-29791) pertaining to the Nichols Research Corporation Non Employees Officer and Director Stock Option Plan and in the related Prospectus of our report dated October 8, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Nichols Research Corporation included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended August 31, 1997. We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-07160) pertaining to the Nichols Research Corporation 1989 Incentive Stock Option Plan and in the related Prospectus of our report dated October 8, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Nichols Research Corporation included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended August 31, 1997. We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-07162) pertaining to the Nichols Research Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan and in the related Prospectus of our report dated October 8, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Nichols Research Corporation included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended August 31, 1997. Ernst & Young LLP ----------------- Ernst & Young LLP Birmingham, Alabama January 13, 1999 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----