Services Administration Schedules and other multi-award contracts, which has resulted in greater competition and increased pricing pressure. The DoW’s current procurement reform initiative, including the increased use of other transaction authority (“OTA”) agreements, could…
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Services Administration Schedules and other multi-award contracts, which has resulted in greater competition and increased pricing pressure. The DoW’s current procurement reform initiative, including the increased use of other transaction authority (“OTA”) agreements, could reduce barriers to entry and result in even greater competition and increased pricing pressure. OTAs are not subject to many traditional procurement laws, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”), and in some instances, an OTA award may require that a significant part of the work be carried out by a non-traditional defense contractor or that a portion of the prototype project's costs be covered by non-governmental sources. Some of our competitors, including non-traditional new entrants to defense-related programs, have greater financial resources than we do and may have more extensive or more specialized engineering, manufacturing and marketing capabilities than we do in some areas. We may not be able to continue to win competitively awarded contracts or to obtain task orders under multi-award contracts, especially with increased competition. We may choose not to bid in certain competitive bidding processes, which would result in the potential loss of opportunities, or we may choose to partner with competitors, which could expose our business to additional factors beyond our control. Additionally, bid protests from unsuccessful bidders can result in significant expense or delay, contract modification or contract rescission as a result of our competitors protesting or challenging contracts awarded to us. A reduction in U.S. Government funding or a change in U.S. Government spending priorities could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and equity. Our U.S. Government programs must compete with programs managed by other government contractors and with other policy imperatives for consideration for limited resources and for uncertain levels of funding during the budget and appropriations process. Although multi-year contracts may be authorized and appropriated in connection with major procurements, Congress generally appropriates funds on a U.S. Government fiscal year (“GFY”) basis. Procurement funds are typically disbursed over the course of one to three years. Consequently, programs often initially receive only partial funding, and additional funds are obligated only as Congress authorizes further appropriations. We cannot predict the extent to which total funding and/or funding for individual programs will be changed as part of the annual appropriations process ultimately approved by Congress and the President or in separate supplemental appropriations or continuing resolutions, as applicable. Budget and appropriations decisions made by the U.S. Government are outside of our control and may have long-term consequences for our business. U.S. Government spending priorities and levels remain uncertain and difficult to predict. This uncertainty could be exacerbated by procurement reform initiatives that could result in more frequent changes to program funding, scope, or priorities, increasing the risk of contract modifications, terminations, or delays, and making it more difficult to forecast revenue and resource needs. A change in U.S. Government spending priorities or an increase in non-procurement spending at the expense of our programs, or a reduction in total U.S. Government spending on an absolute or inflation-adjusted basis, could have material adverse consequences on our current or future business. Any inability of the U.S. Government to complete its budget process for any GFY and resulting operation on funding levels equivalent to its prior fiscal year pursuant to a Continuing Resolution (“CR”) or shut down, also could have material adverse consequences on our current or future business. For more information see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - U.S. and International Budget Environment” of this Report. Our results of operations and cash flows are substantially affected by our contract mix. Fixed-price contracts, particularly for development programs, could subject us to losses from cost overruns or inflation. In fiscal 2025, 75% of our revenue was derived from fixed-price contracts that allow us to benefit from cost savings, but subject us to the risk of potential cost overruns, including due to greater than anticipated or a sustained period of increased inflation or unexpected delays because we assume all of the cost burden. If our initial estimates are incorrect, we can lose money (or make more or less money than estimated) on these contracts. Fixed-price U.S. Government contracts can expose us to potentially large losses because the U.S. Government can hold us responsible for completing a project or, in limited circumstances, paying the entire cost of its replacement by another provider. Contracts for development programs include complex design and technical requirements and are generally contracted on a cost-type basis, however, some existing development programs are contracted on a fixed-price basis or include cost-type contracting for the development phase with fixed-price production options. Because many of these contracts involve new technologies and applications and can last for years, unforeseen events, such as technological difficulties, increases in the price of materials, a significant increase in or a sustained period of increased inflation, problems with our suppliers, labor market conditions and cost overruns, can result in less favorable economics or even losses over time (which, especially in the case of sharp and significant sustained inflation, could happen quickly and have long lasting impacts). Furthermore, if we do not meet contract deadlines or specifications, we may need to renegotiate contracts on less favorable terms, be forced to pay penalties or liquidated damages or suffer losses if the customer exercises its right to terminate. Some of our contracts have