WLDN US Equity☆

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our Company

We are a provider of professional, technical and consulting services to utilities, private industry, and public agencies at all levels of government. As resources and infrastructures undergo continuous change, we help organizations and their communities evolve and thrive by providing a wide range of technical services for energy solutions and government infrastructure. Through engineering, program management, policy advisory, and software and data management, we design and deliver trusted, comprehensive, innovative, and proven solutions to improve efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability in energy and infrastructure to our customers.

Our broad portfolio of services operates within two reporting segments: (1) Energy and (2) Engineering and Consulting. The interfaces and synergies between these segments are important elements of our strategy to design and deliver trusted, comprehensive, innovative, and proven solutions for our customers.

Our Energy segment provides specialized, innovative, comprehensive energy solutions to businesses, utilities, state agencies, municipalities, and non-profit organizations in the U.S. Our experienced engineers, consultants, and staff help our clients realize cost and energy savings by tailoring efficient and cost-effective solutions to assist in optimizing energy spend. Our energy efficiency services include comprehensive audit and surveys, program design, master planning, demand reduction, grid optimization, benchmarking analyses, design engineering, construction management, performance contracting, installation, alternative financing, measurement and verification services, and advances in software and data analytics.

Our Engineering and Consulting segment provides civil engineering-related construction management, building and safety, city engineering, city planning, civil design, geotechnical, material testing and other engineering consulting services to our clients. Our engineering services include rail, port, water, mining and other civil engineering projects. We also provide economic and financial consulting to public agencies along with national preparedness and interoperability services, communications, and technology solutions. Lastly, we supplement the engineering services that we offer our clients by offering expertise and support for the various financing techniques public agencies utilize to finance their operations and infrastructure. We also support the mandated reporting and other requirements associated with these financings. We provide financial advisory services for municipal securities but do not provide underwriting services.

Impact of Covid-19 on Our Business

The coronavirus (“Covid-19”) pandemic and efforts to limit its spread negatively impacted our operations during fiscal year 2020 and continued to impact us, albeit to a lesser extent, during fiscal year 2021. In California and New York, the states in which we have historically derived a majority of our revenue, mandatory shutdown orders were issued in March 2020. In New York, phased re-openings began in June 2020, and all of our New York utility programs have restarted. In California, phased re-openings began in May 2020, followed by periods of curtailments as a result of resurgences of Covid-19 cases, and subsequent re-openings. As a result, the most significant pandemic related impacts to our business occurred in California to our direct install business. During the last week of June 2021, our largest program for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (“LADWP”) resumed, which was our last remaining program that was still suspended due to Covid-19. As of March 9, 2022, none of our contracts have been cancelled due to Covid-19.

In the Energy segment, we experienced a negative impact on our direct install programs that serve small businesses as a result of restrictions put in place by governmental authorities that required temporary shutdowns of all “non-essential” businesses which resulted in a significant portion of our direct install work on these programs being suspended for varying periods of time during fiscal year 2020 and continuing in California through our first half of fiscal 2021. During non-Covid-19 impacted years, such as fiscal year 2019, we derived approximately 40% of our gross revenue from our direct install programs that serve small businesses and 60% from our other programs. Our other programs are either services that have been determined to be “essential” by government authorities, can be performed remotely or outside of any Covid-related restrictions, or have continued to progress during the pandemic.

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In the Engineering and Consulting segment, our revenues have been less affected by Covid-19 than the revenues in the Energy segment. The services in this segment have generally been deemed “essential” by the government and have continued to operate while abiding social distancing measures.

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We have continuously monitored our liquidity position during the Covid-19 pandemic in order to be flexible during these uncertain times and to position ourselves to resume our growth trajectory as work restrictions are lifted. As part of this effort, we amended our credit facility in April 2021 for increased covenant flexibility as a result of forecasted increased working capital requirements related to $781 million in new California Investor Owned Utility contracts signed in December 2020.

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Asset and liability valuation and other estimates used in preparation of financial statements

As of December 31, 2021, we did not have any impairment with respect to goodwill or long-lived assets, including intangible assets. Because the full extent of the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak and efforts to slow its spread are unknown at this time, they could, under certain circumstances, cause impairment and result in a non-cash impairment charge being recorded in future periods. Changes to the estimated future profitability of the business may require that we establish an additional valuation allowance against all or some portion of our net deferred tax assets.

Impact on Clients and Subcontractors and Other Risks

We primarily work for utilities, municipalities and other public agencies. Some of these customers could experience significant budget shortfalls for the current year and beyond as a result of the measures taken to mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic and/or revenue shortfalls as a result of reduced economic activity. Although none of our material contracts with governmental or public agencies were materially modified during our fiscal years 2020 or 2021, these potential budget deficits could result in delayed funding for existing contracts with us, postponements of new contracts or price concessions. Further, most of our clients are not committed to purchase any minimum amount of services, as our agreements with them are based on a “purchase order” or “master service agreement” model. As a result, they may discontinue utilizing some or all of our services with little or no notice.

In addition, we rely on subcontractors and material suppliers to complete a substantial portion of our work, especially in our Energy segment. If our significant subcontractors and material suppliers suffer significant economic harm and must limit or cease operations or file for bankruptcy as a result of the current economic slowdown, our subcontractors and material suppliers may not be able to fulfill their contractual obligations satisfactorily and we may not have the ability to select our subcontractors and material suppliers of choice for new contracts. If our subcontractors and material suppliers are not able to fulfill their contractual obligations, it could result in a significant increase in costs for us to complete the projects or cause significant delays to the realization of revenues under those projects. The ultimate impact of Covid-19 on our financial condition and results of operations will depend on all of the factors noted above, including other factors that we may not be able to forecast at this time. See the risk factor “The Covid-19 pandemic and health and safety measures intended to slow its spread have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our business, results of operations and financial condition.” underPart I. Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. While Covid-19 has had, and we expect it to continue to have, an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, we are unable to predict the extent or duration of these impacts at this time.

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Health and Safety

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In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have taken and will continue to take precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk of Covid-19 to our employees, including requiring the majority of our employees to work remotely, suspending non-essential travel and restricting in-person work-related meetings. We expect to continue to implement these measures until it has determined that the Covid-19 pandemic is adequately contained for purposes of our business, and may take further actions as government authorities require or recommend or as it determines to be in the best interests of our employees, customers, business partners and third-party service providers.

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Recent Developments

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On March 8, 2022, we amended our credit facility to provide for increased liquidity and covenant flexibility as a result of forecasted increased working capital requirements related to additional organic growth, including the resumption of the LADWP small business program. The amendment also revises the pricing structure of borrowings under our Credit Agreement from utilizing as a reference rate the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to utilizing the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). For additional information, see Part II, Item 8, Note 15, “Subsequent Events” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Results of Operations

Summary Comparison of 2021, 2020, and 2019

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information derived from our consolidated statements of comprehensive income(1):

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ Fiscal Year ​

​ ​ (in thousands, except percentages)

Direct costs of contract revenue: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

General and administrative expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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The following tables provides information about disaggregated revenue of the Company’s two segments Energy and Engineering and Consulting by contract type, client type, and geographical region:

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​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ Energy Engineering andConsulting Total

​ (in thousands, except percentage)

Contract Type ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Client Type ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Geography (1) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ Energy Engineering andConsulting Total

​ (in thousands, except percentage)

Contract Type ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Client Type ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Geography (1) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ Energy Engineering andConsulting Total

​ (in thousands, except percentage)

Contract Type ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Client Type ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Geography (1) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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Fiscal Year 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year 2020

Contract revenue. Consolidated contract revenue decreased $37.2 million, or 9.5%, in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, primarily due to decreased contract revenues from our construction management activities in our Energy segment and the impact of having one fewer week in fiscal year 2021 as compared to fiscal year 2020, partially offset by increased planning and advisory contract revenues including software licensing. Contract revenue related to Energy segment construction management projects decreased as a result of the completion of a number of Energy segment projects and delays in the start-up of construction of new Energy segment projects.

Contract revenue in our Energy segment decreased $37.8 million, or 11.7%, in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, primarily as a result of decreased contract revenues from construction management activities as described above and the impact of having one fewer week in fiscal year 2021 as compared to fiscal year 2020, partially offset by increased planning and advisory contract revenues including software licensing.

Contract revenue in our Engineering and Consulting segment was relatively flat in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020.

Direct costs of contract revenue. Direct costs of consolidated contract revenue decreased $43.7 million, or 16.7%, in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, primarily as a result of decreased construction management activities in our Energy segment and the impact of having one fewer week in fiscal year 2021 as compared to fiscal year 2020.

Direct cost of contract revenue in our Energy segment decreased $41.0 million, or 18.2%, in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, primarily as a result of the reasons described above. Direct costs of contract revenue for the Engineering and Consulting segment decreased $2.7 million, or 7.4%, for the fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, primarily due to a reduction in scope of work from one of our customers combined with the impact of having one fewer week in fiscal year 2021 as compared to fiscal year 2020.

Salaries and wages were relatively flat in fiscal year 2021 compared to the fiscal year 2020. Subcontractor services and other direct costs decreased $44.2 million, or 22.5%, in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2022, primarily due to the decrease in construction management activities.

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As a percentage of contract revenue, salaries and wages increased to 18.6% of contract revenue for fiscal year 2021 from 16.7% for fiscal year 2020 and subcontractor services and other direct costs decreased to 43.0% of contract revenue for fiscal year 2021 from 50.2% of contract revenue for the fiscal year 2020, for the reasons noted above.

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Gross Profit. Gross profit increased 5.0% to $135.9 million, or 38.4% gross margin, for fiscal 2021 compared to $129.4 million, or a 33.1% gross margin for fiscal 2020. The increase in our gross margin was primarily driven by changes in the mix of revenues resulting from the reduction in construction management services which have a relatively lower gross margin profile due to their relatively higher content of pass-through subcontractor and materials costs.

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General and administrative expenses. General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses decreased by $1.1 million, or 0.7%, in the fiscal year 2021 compared to the fiscal year 2020. The decrease in G&A expenses consisted of a decrease of $2.6 million in the Energy segment combined with a decrease of $1.7 million in the unallocated corporate expenses, partially offset by an increase of $3.3 million in the Engineering and Consulting segment. The decrease in G&A expenses in the Energy segment and unallocated corporate expenses was primarily attributed to lower amortization of intangibles combined with lower other general and administrative expenses, partially offset by higher wage and related benefit costs. The increase in G&A expenses in the Engineering and Consulting segment was primarily attributed to higher wage and related benefit costs. The increase in wage and related benefit costs was primarily attributed to having restored wage reductions taken during our second quarter of fiscal 2020 aimed at preserving liquidity as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Within G&A expenses, the increase of $2.6 million for salaries and wages, payroll taxes and employee benefits, combined with the increase of $0.5 million in stock-based compensation was offset by the decrease of $0.6 million in facilities and facility related expenses, combined with the decrease of $1.6 million in depreciation and amortization and the decrease of $1.9 million in other general and administrative expenses.

The increase in salaries and wages, payroll taxes and employee benefits was primarily attributable to having restored, during our third quarter of fiscal year 2020, certain actions taken during the second quarter of our fiscal year 2020 aimed at preserving liquidity in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as a temporary cash wage reduction for salaried employees, as well as instituting a reduction in workforce, primarily through unpaid furloughs. The increase in stock-based compensation expenses was primarily related to new stock grants to current employees and executives. The decrease in facilities and facilities related expenses was attributed to satisfied facility leases that were not renewed. The decrease in depreciation and amortization was primarily related to lower amortization of intangible assets derived from prior acquisitions. The decrease in other general and administrative expenses was primarily related to decreased earn-out expenses, partially offset by increases in professional services combined with increases in computer-related expenses.

Income (loss) from operations. Operating loss was $8.7 million for fiscal 2021, compared to a loss of $16.2 million for fiscal 2020, as a result of the factors noted above. As a percentage of contract revenue, the operating loss was 2.5% for fiscal 2021 compared to an operating loss of 4.2% for fiscal 2020. The increase in operating margin was attributable to increased gross profit combined with lower G&A expenses.

Total other expense, net. Total other expense, net, was $3.7 million for fiscal 2021 compared to $3.4 million for fiscal 2020. The increase in total other expense, net is primarily due to lower interest income partially offset by lower interest expense as a result of lower borrowings under our credit facilities and the impact of having one fewer week in fiscal year 2021 as compared to fiscal year 2020.

Income tax expense (benefit). We recorded an income tax benefit of $4.0 million for fiscal year 2021 compared to a tax benefit of $5.2 million for fiscal year 2020. The decrease in the income tax benefit is primarily attributable to the increase in valuation allowance recorded against certain state-specific deferred tax assets combined with a reduction in energy efficiency deductions, partially offset by additional tax benefits related to the net operating loss carryback provision of the CARES Act.

Net income (loss). Our net loss was $8.4 million for fiscal 2021, as compared to a net loss of $14.5 million for fiscal 2020. The reduction in our net loss was primarily driven by increased gross profit margins combined with lower operating expenses.

Fiscal Year 2020 Compared to Fiscal Year 2019

Contract revenue. Consolidated contract revenue decreased $52.1 million, or 11.8%, in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019, primarily due to decreased contract revenues from our direct install programs for small businesses in our Energy segment, partially offset by $31.2 million of incremental contract revenue generated from government projects and $22.0 million of incremental contract revenue from the acquisitions of Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (“E3, Inc.”) and Onsite Energy Corporation (“Onsite Energy”) on October 28, 2019, and July 2, 2019, respectively. Contract revenues for our direct install programs for small businesses decreased as a result of the business suspensions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and efforts to limit its spread that started in March 2020, which we estimate to have reduced our contract revenue by approximately 20% from our planned pre-pandemic levels.

Contract revenue in our Energy segment decreased $46.5 million, or 12.6%, in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019. Contract revenue for the Energy segment primarily decreased as a result of reduced contract revenues from our direct install programs for small businesses as a result of the effects of Covid-19 noted above, partially offset by $36.8 million of incremental contract revenue generated from government projects and $22.0 million of incremental contract revenue from the acquisitions of E3, Inc. and Onsite Energy.

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Contract revenue in our Engineering and Consulting segment decreased $5.6 million, or 7.7%, in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019. Contract revenue for the Engineering and Consulting segment decreased primarily due to decreased subcontractor revenues combined with a $2 million reduction of scope of work related to one of our customers implemented during the second quarter of 2020. Contract revenue in our Engineering and Consulting segment has been less affected by Covid-19 than contract revenue in our Energy segment as the services in the Engineering and Consulting segment have generally been deemed “essential” by the government and continue to operate while abiding social distancing measures.

Direct costs of contract revenue. Direct costs of consolidated contract revenue decreased $46.5 million, or 15.1%, in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019. Direct costs of consolidated contract revenue decreased as a result of decreased contract revenues from our direct install programs for small businesses in our Energy segment, partially offset by $31.2 million of incremental contract revenue generated from government projects combined with an additional $7.9 million of incremental direct costs of contract revenue related to our acquisitions of E3, Inc. and Onsite Energy.

Direct cost of contract revenue in our Energy segment decreased $41.3 million, or 15.5%, in the fiscal year 2020 compared to the fiscal year 2019, primarily as a result of the decrease in our contract revenues related to direct install programs for small businesses as described above, which generally use a higher percentage of materials and subcontractor services than other projects in our Energy segment, partially offset by $36.8 million of incremental contract revenues related to government projects combined with an incremental $7.9 million in direct costs of contract revenue contributed from the acquisitions of E3, Inc. and Onsite Energy in the Energy segment. Direct costs of contract revenue for the Engineering and Consulting segment decreased $5.2 million, or 12.6%, for the fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019, primarily due to the reduction of revenues described above.

Subcontractor services and other direct costs decreased $47.2 million and salaries and wages increased by $0.7 million for the fiscal year 2020 compared to the fiscal year 2019. As a percentage of contract revenue, salaries and wages increased to 16.7% of contract revenue for the fiscal year 2020 from 14.6% for the fiscal year 2019 and subcontractor services and other direct costs decreased to 50.2% of contract revenue for the fiscal year 2020 from 55.0% of contract revenue for the fiscal year 2019. Salaries and wages within direct costs of contract revenue increased as a

percentage of contract revenue primarily as a result of our acquisition of E3, Inc. and Onsite Energy which contain a higher percentage of labor costs and lower percentage of material costs and installation subcontracting. Subcontractor services and other direct costs decreased as a percentage of contract revenue primarily as a result of the decrease in contract revenues from our direct install programs for small businesses, as described above.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses increased by $20.0 million, or 15.9%, in the fiscal year 2020 compared to the fiscal year 2019. The increase in G&A expenses consisted of an increase of $12.2 million in the Energy segment and an increase of $8.5 million in the unallocated corporate expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $0.7 million in the Engineering and Consulting segment. The increase in G&A expenses in the Energy segment was primarily attributed to incremental expenses of $13.0 million from the addition of E3, Inc. and Onsite Energy, combined with increases in stock-based compensation, intangible asset amortization, and other corporate general and administrative expenses, partially offset by our cost-saving measures instituted, as described earlier, in response to Covid-19.

Of the $20.0 million increase in G&A expenses, $4.9 million resulted from an increase in salaries and wages, payroll taxes and employee benefits, $4.0 million resulted from an increase in stock-based compensation, $3.7 million resulted from an increase in depreciation and amortization, $1.9 million resulted from an increase in facilities and facility related expenses, and $5.4 million resulted from an increase in other general and administrative expenses. The increase in other general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase of $6.5 million in the liability for contingent consideration, partially offset by lower traveling expenses as a result of the measures put in place for Covid-19, combined with lower acquisition costs and lower professional services. The increase in salaries and wages, payroll taxes and employee benefits was primarily attributable to the addition of employees from the acquisition of E3, Inc. and Onsite Energy, partially offset by our actions related to placing a temporary cash wage reduction for salaried employees, as well as instituting a reduction in workforce, primarily through unpaid furloughs, aimed at preserving liquidity as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the second half of the three months ended July 3, 2020, furloughed employees

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began to return to work as government authorities began loosening restrictions through phased re-openings and, by the end of the third fiscal quarter, the majority of furloughed employees had returned to work. In addition, as the initial impact of Covid-19 was ascertained and operations were adjusted accordingly, salaries were reinstituted in June 2020 with the exception of corporate staff, whose salaries were reinstituted at the end of July 2020. The increase in facilities and facility related expenses was primarily due to the addition of offices in connection with the acquisition of E3, Inc., and Onsite Energy. The increase in stock-based compensation expenses was primarily related to new stock grants to current employees and executives. The increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to an increase in amortization of intangible assets derived from the acquisition of E3, Inc., and Onsite Energy.

Income (loss) from operations. Our operating loss was $16.2 million for fiscal year 2020, compared to operating income of $9.4 million for fiscal year 2019, as a result of the factors noted above. As a percentage of contract revenue, operating loss was 4.2% for the fiscal year 2020 compared to an operating income of 2.1% for the fiscal year 2019. The decrease in operating margin was primarily attributable to decreases in contract revenue as a result of Covid-19 combined with increases in stock-based compensation and intangible asset amortization from the acquisition of E3, Inc. and Onsite Energy, partially offset by increases in governmental contract revenue.

Total other expense, net. Total other expense, net was $3.4 million for fiscal year 2020 compared to $4.7 million for fiscal year 2019. The decrease in total other expense, net was primarily the result of the recognition of $0.6 million in income from an indemnification agreement and higher interest income. Interest expense was relatively flat year over year.

Income tax expense (benefit). We recorded an income tax benefit of $5.2 million for the fiscal year 2020 compared to a tax benefit of $0.2 million for the fiscal year 2019. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2020 was (26.3)% as compared to (4.0)% for fiscal year 2019. The increase in the year-over-year effective tax rate for fiscal year 2020 is primarily attributable to our loss before income tax, reduced energy efficient commercial building deductions and increased nondeductible compensation recognized in 2020.

Net income (loss). As a result of the above factors, our net loss was $14.5 million for the fiscal year ended 2020, as compared to a net income of $4.8 million for the fiscal year 2019.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

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​ ​ Fiscal Year

​ ​ (in thousands)

Net Cash Provided by (used in): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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Sources of Cash

We believe that our cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash generated by operating activities and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility and Delayed Draw Term Loan will be sufficient to finance our operating activities for at least the next 12 months. As a result of forecasted increased working capital requirements related to the $781 million in California Investor Owned Utility Contracts and other organic growth, we amended our credit agreement to, among other things, ensure an adequate margin for certain covenant compliance obligations. As of December 31, 2021, we had $11.2 million of cash and cash equivalents. In addition, as of December 31, 2021, we had a $100 million Term A Loan with $75.0 million outstanding, a $50.0 million Revolving Credit Facility with no borrowed amounts outstanding and $4.1 million in letters of credit issued. We also had a $50.0 million Delayed Draw Term Loan with $20.0 million available for draw subject to the satisfaction of certain covenants and $24.0 million outstanding. Each of our Term A Loan, Revolving Credit Facility, and Delayed Draw Term Loan mature on June 26, 2024. Our primary

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source of liquidity for the next 12 months and beyond is cash generated from operations and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2021, borrowings under our Credit Facilities, exclusive of the effects of upfront fees, undrawn fees and issuance cost amortization, bore interest at 2.37%. See Part II, Item 8, Note 5, Debt Obligations, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for information regarding our indebtedness, including information about new borrowings and repayments, principal repayment terms, interest rates, covenants, and other key terms of our outstanding indebtedness.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash flows provided by operating activities were $9.8 million, $47.0 million, and $11.6 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Cash flow from operating activities primarily consists of net income, adjusted for non-cash charges, such as depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation, plus or minus changes in operating assets and liabilities. Cash flows provided by operating activities for fiscal year 2021 resulted primarily from the changing mix of revenues, partially offset by increased demand for working capital related to the resumption of our utility programs that were suspended in 2020 and start-up costs associated with certain new contract awards. Cash flows provided by operating activities for fiscal year 2020 resulted primarily as a result of improvements in cash collections, reductions in working capital requirements as a result of the reduction of revenues from the suspension of our small business energy programs, and incremental operating cash flow from our acquisitions of E3, Inc. and Onsite Energy. Cash flows provided by operating activities for fiscal year 2019 resulted primarily as a result of our fiscal year 2019 acquisitions, combined with a decrease in accounts receivable and an increase in accrued liabilities, partially offset by an increase in contract assets.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash flows used in investing activities were $8.5 million for fiscal year 2021, as compared to $5.0 million and $78.3 million for fiscal years 2020 and 2019, respectively. Cash flows used in investing activities for fiscal year 2021 were primarily due to cash paid for software development cost and the purchase of equipment. Cash flows used in investing activities for fiscal year 2020 were primarily due to cash paid for the purchase of equipment, the enhancement of internal operating software, and leasehold improvements. Cash flows used in investing activities for fiscal year 2019 were primarily due to cash paid for the acquisitions of The Weidt Group, Onsite Energy, and E3, Inc.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash flows used in financing activities were $18.5 million and $19.0 million for fiscal year 2021 and 2020, as compared to cash flows provided by financing activities of $56.9 million for fiscal 2019. Cash flows used in financing activities for fiscal year 2021 were primarily attributable to repayments of $13.0 million under our term loan facility and revolving line of credit, increases of $6.6 million for contingent consideration related to prior acquisitions, payments of taxes on stock grants of $3.1 million, payments on notes payable of $1.9 million, partially offset by $2.7 million in proceeds from sales of common stock under our employee stock purchase plan and $1.9 million in proceeds from stock option exercise. Cash flows used in financing activities for fiscal year 2020 were primarily attributable to repayments of $42.0 million under our term loan facility and revolving line of credit, a payment of $2.9 million in employee payroll taxes related to the vesting of performance-based restricted stock units, and payments of $1.4 million for contingent consideration related to prior acquisitions, partially offset by $24.0 million of borrowings under our revolving line of credit. Cash flows provided by financing activities for fiscal year 2019 were primarily attributable to borrowings under our credit facilities related to our acquisitions of The Weidt Group, Onsite Energy, and E3, Inc.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than operating lease commitments, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or liabilities. In addition, our policy is not to enter into futures or forward contracts. Finally, we do not have any majority-owned subsidiaries or any interests in, or relationships with, any special-purpose entities that are not included in the consolidated financial statements. We have, however, an administrative services agreement with Genesys in which

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we provide Genesys with ongoing administrative, operational and other non-professional support services. We manage Genesys and have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Genesys’ performance, in addition to being obligated to absorb expected losses from Genesys. Accordingly, we are the primary beneficiary of Genesys and consolidate Genesys as a variable interest entity.

Short and Long-term Uses of Cash

General

Our principal uses of cash are to fund operating expenses and pay down outstanding debt. From time to time, we also use cash to help fund business acquisitions. Our cash and cash equivalents are impacted by the timing of when we pay expenses as reflected in the change in our outstanding accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our known contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021:

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​ ​ ​ Less than ​ ​ ​ ​ More than

Contractual Obligations ​ Total ​ 1 Year ​ 1 - 3 Years ​ 3 - 5 Years ​ 5 Years

​ ​ ( in thousands) ​

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We are obligated to pay earn-out payments in connection with our 2019 and 2017 acquisitions of E3, Inc. and Integral Analytics, respectively. We are obligated to pay up to (i) $12.0 million in cash if E3, Inc. exceeds certain financial targets during the three years after the E3, Inc. closing date, and (ii) $12.0 million in cash based on future work obtained from the business of Integral Analytics during the four years after the closing of the acquisition, payable in installments, if certain financial targets are met during the four years. As of December 31, 2021, we had contingent consideration payable of $11.0 million related to these acquisitions. For fiscal 2021, our statement of operations includes $2.3 million of accretion (excluding fair value adjustments) related to the contingent consideration.

Outstanding Indebtedness

Subsequent to December 31, 2021, we borrowed and repaid $5.0 million under our Revolving Credit Facility. On March 8, 2022, after giving effect to the Fifth Amendment, we had $50.0 million in borrowing capacity available under our credit facilities. See part II, Item 8, Note 5, “Debt Obligations”, and Note 15, “Subsequent Events”, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our indebtedness, including information about new borrowings and repayments, principal repayment terms, interest rates, covenants, and other key terms of our outstanding indebtedness.

Insurance Premiums

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We have also financed, from time to time, insurance premiums by entering into unsecured notes payable with insurance companies. See part II, Item 8, Note 5, “Debt Obligations”, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our financing arrangements related to our insurance premiums.

Interest Rate Swap

See Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, and Note 4, “Derivative Financial Instruments”, to the Notes of Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our interest rate swap.

Impact of Inflation

Due to the average duration of our projects and our ability to negotiate prices as contracts end and new contracts begin, we believe our operations have not been, and, in the foreseeable future, are not expected to be, materially impacted by moderate inflation.

Components of Revenue and Expense

Contract Revenue

We generally provide our services under contracts, purchase orders or retainer letters. The agreements we enter into with our clients typically incorporate one of three principal types of pricing provisions: time-and-materials, unit-based, and fixed price. Revenue on our time-and-materials and unit-based contracts are recognized as the work is performed in accordance with specific terms of the contract. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 24% of our contracts are time-and-materials contracts and approximately 54% of our contracts are unit-based contracts, compared to approximately 26% for time-and-materials contracts and approximately 46% for unit-based contracts as of January 1, 2021.

Some of these contracts include maximum contract prices, but contract maximums are often adjusted to reflect the level of effort to achieve client objectives and thus the majority of these contracts are not expected to exceed the maximum. Contract revenue on our fixed price contracts is determined on the percentage of completion method based generally on the ratio of direct costs incurred to date to estimated total direct costs at completion. Many of our fixed price contracts involve a high degree of subcontracted fixed price effort and are relatively short in duration, thereby lowering the risks of not properly estimating the percent complete.

Adjustments to contract cost estimates are made in the periods in which the facts requiring such revisions become known. When the revised estimate indicates a loss, such loss is recognized in the current period in its entirety. Claims and change orders that have not been finalized are evaluated to determine whether or not a change has occurred in the enforceable rights and obligations of the original contract. If these non-finalized changes qualify as a contract modification, a determination is made whether to account for the change in contract value as a modification to the existing contract, or a separate contract and revenue under the claims or change orders is recognized accordingly. Costs related to un-priced change orders are expensed when incurred, and recognition of the related revenue is based on the assessment above of whether or not a contract modification has occurred. Estimated profit for un-priced change orders is recognized only if collection is probable.

Our contracts come up for renewal periodically and at the time of renewal may be subject to renegotiation, which could impact the profitability on that contract. In addition, during the term of a contract, public agencies may request additional or revised services which may impact the economics of the transaction. Most of our contracts permit our clients, with prior notice, to terminate the contracts at any time without cause. While we have a large volume of contracts, the renewal, termination or modification of a contract, in particular contracts with Consolidated Edison, the City of Elk Grove, DASNY, and utility programs associated with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Duke Energy Corp., may have a material effect on our consolidated operations.

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Some of our contracts include certain performance guarantees, such as a guaranteed energy saving quantity. Such guarantees are generally measured upon completion of a project. In the event that the measured performance level is less than the guaranteed level, any resulting financial penalty, including any additional work that may be required to fulfill the guarantee, is estimated and charged to direct expenses in the current period. We have not experienced any significant costs under such guarantees.

Direct Costs of Contract Revenue

Direct costs of contract revenue consist primarily of that portion of salaries and wages that have been incurred in connection with revenue producing projects. Direct costs of contract revenue also include material costs, subcontractor services, equipment and other expenses that are incurred in connection with revenue producing projects. Direct costs of contract revenue exclude that portion of salaries and wages related to marketing efforts, vacations, holidays and other time not spent directly generating revenue under existing contracts. Such costs are included in general and administrative expenses. Additionally, payroll taxes, bonuses and employee benefit costs for all of our personnel are included in general and administrative expenses since no allocation of these costs is made to direct costs of contract revenue.

Other companies may classify as direct costs of contract revenue some of the costs that we classify as general and administrative costs. We expense direct costs of contract revenue when incurred.

General and Administrative Expenses

G&A expenses include the costs of the marketing and support staffs, other marketing expenses, management and administrative personnel costs, payroll taxes, bonuses and employee benefits for all of our employees and the portion of salaries and wages not allocated to direct costs of contract revenue for those employees who provide our services. G&A expenses also include facility costs, depreciation and amortization, professional services, legal and accounting fees and administrative operating costs. Within G&A expenses, “Other” includes expenses such as professional services, legal and accounting, computer costs, travel and entertainment, marketing costs and acquisition costs. We expense general and administrative costs when incurred.

Critical Accounting Policies

This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”). To prepare these financial statements in conformity with GAAP, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses in the reporting period. Our actual results may differ from these estimates. We have provided a summary of our significant accounting policies in Part II, Item 8, Note 1, Organization and Operations of the Company, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We describe below those accounting policies that require material subjective or complex judgments and that have the most significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Our management evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, based upon information currently available and on various assumptions management believes are reasonable as of the date of this report.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

Billing practices are governed by the contract terms of each project based upon costs incurred, achievement of milestones or pre-agreed schedules. Billings in any given fiscal period do not necessarily correlate with revenue recognized for that period. Contract assets include unbilled amounts typically resulting from revenue under contracts where the percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition is utilized and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer and right to repayment is not unconditional. Contract assets also include retainage amounts withheld from billings to our clients pursuant to provisions in our contracts and other revenues earned but not billed in the current period. Contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized and deferred revenue.

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Contract Accounting

We enter into contracts with our clients that contain various types of pricing provisions, including fixed price, time-and-materials, and unit-based provisions. We recognize revenues in accordance with ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customer, codified as ASC Topic 606 and the related amendments (collectively, “ASC 606”). As such, we identify a contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation in the contract and recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation.

The following table reflects our two reportable segments and the types of contracts that each most commonly enters into for revenue generating activities.

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Segment Contract Type Revenue Recognition Method

​ Time-and-materials Time-and-materials

Energy Unit-based Unit-based

​ Software license Unit-based

​ Fixed price Percentage-of-completion

​ Time-and-materials Time-and-materials

Engineering and Consulting Unit-based Unit-based

​ Fixed price Percentage-of-completion

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Revenue on the vast majority of our contracts will continue to be recognized over time because of the continuous transfer of control to the customer. Revenue on fixed price contracts is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method based generally on the ratio of direct costs incurred-to-date to estimated total direct costs at completion. We use the percentage-of-completion method to better match the level of work performed at a certain point in time in relation to our effort that will be required to complete a project. In addition, the percentage-of-completion method is a common method of revenue recognition in our industry.

Many of our fixed price contracts involve a high degree of subcontracted fixed price effort and are relatively short in duration, thereby lowering the risks of not properly estimating the percent complete. Revenue on time-and-materials and unit-based contracts is recognized as the work is performed in accordance with the specific rates and terms of the contract. We recognize revenues for time-and-materials contracts based upon the actual hours incurred during a reporting period at contractually agreed upon rates per hour and also includes in revenue all reimbursable costs incurred during a reporting period. Certain of our time-and-materials contracts are subject to maximum contract values and, accordingly, when revenue is expected to exceed the maximum contract value, these contracts are generally recognized under the percentage-of-completion method, consistent with fixed price contracts. For unit-based contracts, we recognize the contract price of units of a basic production product as revenue when the production product is delivered during a period. Revenue for amounts that have been billed but not earned is deferred, and such deferred revenue is referred to as contract liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We also derive revenue from software licenses and professional services and maintenance fees. In accordance with ASC 606, we perform an assessment of each contract to identify the performance obligations, determine the overall transaction price for the contract, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and recognize the revenue when the performance obligations are satisfied. We utilize the residual approach by which it estimates the standalone selling price by reference to the total transaction price less the sum of the observable standalone selling prices of other goods or services promised in the contract. The software license revenue is typically recognized at a point in time when control is transferred to the client, which is defined as the point in time when the client can use and benefit from the license. The software license is delivered before related services are provided and is functional without services, updates, or technical support. Related professional services include training and support services in which the standalone selling price is determined based on an input measure of hours incurred to total estimated hours and is recognized over time, usually which is the life of the contract.

To determine the proper revenue recognition method for contracts, we evaluate whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as one single contract and whether the combined contract should be accounted for as one performance obligation. With respect to our contracts, it is rare that multiple contracts should be combined into a single performance obligation. This evaluation requires significant judgment and the decision to combine a group of

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contracts or separate a single contract into multiple performance obligations could change the amount of revenue and profit recorded in a given period. Contracts are considered to have a single performance obligation if the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts, which is mainly because we provide a significant service of integrating a complex set of tasks and components into a single project or capability.

We may enter into contracts that include separate phases or elements. If each phase or element is negotiated separately based on the technical resources required and/or the supply and demand for the services being provided, we evaluate if the contracts should be segmented. If certain criteria are met, the contracts would be segmented which could result in revenues being assigned to the different elements or phases with different rates of profitability based on the relative value of each element or phase to the estimated total contract revenue. Segmented contracts may comprise up to approximately 2.0% to 3.0% of our consolidated contract revenue.

Contracts that cover multiple phases or elements of the project or service lifecycle (development, design, construction and maintenance and support) may be considered to have multiple performance obligations even when they are part of a single contract. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation using the best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract. For the periods presented, the value of the separate performance obligations under contracts with multiple performance obligations (generally measurement and verification tasks under certain energy performance contracts) were not material. In cases where we do not provide the distinct good or service on a standalone basis, the primary method used to estimate standalone selling price is the expected cost plus a margin approach, under which we forecast our expected costs of satisfying a performance obligation and then adds an appropriate margin for the distinct good or service.

We provide quality of workmanship warranties to customers that are included in the sale and are not priced or sold separately or do not provide customers with a service in addition to assurance of compliance with agreed-upon specifications and industry standards. We do not consider these types of warranties to be separate performance obligations.

In some cases, we have a master service or blanket agreement with a customer under which each task order releases us to perform specific portions of the overall scope in the service contract. Each task order is typically accounted for as a separate contract because the task order establishes the enforceable rights and obligations, and payment terms.

Under ASC 606, variable consideration should be considered when determining the transaction price and estimates should be made for the variable consideration component of the transaction price, as well as assessing whether an estimate of variable consideration is constrained. For certain of our contracts, variable consideration can arise from modifications to the scope of services resulting from unapproved change orders or customer claims. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Our estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on assessments of legal enforceability, our performance, and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to us.

Due to the nature of the work required to be performed on many of our performance obligations, the estimation of total revenue and cost at completion is complex, subject to many variables and requires significant judgment. As a significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of our contracts, we review and update our contract-related estimates regularly through a company-wide disciplined project review process in which management reviews the progress and execution of our performance obligations and the estimate at completion (“EAC”). As part of this process, management reviews information including, but not limited to, any outstanding key contract matters, progress towards completion and the related program schedule and the related changes in estimates of revenues and costs. Management must make assumptions and estimates regarding labor productivity and availability, the complexity of the work to be performed, the cost and availability of materials, the performance of subcontractors, and the availability and timing of funding from the customer, among other variables.

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We recognize adjustments in estimated profit on contracts under the cumulative catch-up method. Under this method, the impact of the adjustment on profit recorded to date is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods of contract performance is recognized using the adjusted estimate. If at any time the estimate of contract profitability indicates an anticipated loss on the contract, we recognize the total loss in the period it is identified.

Contracts are often modified to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. We consider contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new rights or obligations or changes the existing enforceable rights or obligations. Most of our contract modifications are for goods or services that are not distinct from existing contracts due to the significant integration provided in the context of the contract and are accounted for as if they were part of the original contract. The effect of a contract modification that is not distinct from the existing contract on the transaction price and our measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates is recognized as an adjustment to revenue (either as an increase in or a reduction of revenue) on a cumulative catch-up basis.

For contract modifications that result in the promise to deliver goods or services that are distinct from the existing contract and the increase in price of the contract is for the same amount as the standalone selling price of the additional goods or services included in the modification, we account for such contract modifications as a separate contract.

We include claims to vendors, subcontractors and others as a receivable and a reduction in recognized costs when enforceability of the claim is established by the contract and the amounts are reasonably estimable and probable of being recovered. The amounts are recorded up to the extent of the lesser of the amounts management expects to recover or to costs incurred.

Billing practices are governed by the contract terms of each project based upon costs incurred, achievement of milestones or pre-agreed schedules. Billings do not necessarily correlate with revenue recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition.

Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based upon our review of all outstanding amounts on a quarterly basis. Management determines allowances for doubtful accounts through specific identification of amounts considered to be uncollectible and potential write-offs, plus a non-specific allowance for other amounts for which some potential loss has been determined to be probable based on current and past experience. Historical credit losses have been minimal with governmental entities and large public utilities, but disputes may arise related to these receivable amounts. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received.

For further information on the types of contracts under which we perform our services, see Part II, Item 8, Note 1, Organization and Operations of the Company, of the Notes to consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Goodwill

We test our goodwill at least annually for possible impairment. We complete our annual testing of goodwill as of the last day of the first month of our fourth fiscal quarter each year to determine whether there is impairment. In addition to our annual test, we regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that may indicate a potential impairment of goodwill. We did not recognize any goodwill impairment charges in fiscal years 2021, 2020, or 2019.

We test our goodwill for impairment at the level of our reporting units, which are components of our operating segments. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) Update No. 2017-04 (“ASU 2017-04”), Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. This accounting guidance eliminates the requirement to compare the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill (commonly referred to as Step 2) from the goodwill impairment test. The new standard does not change how a goodwill impairment is identified. We will continue to

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perform our quantitative and qualitative goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, but if we are required to recognize a goodwill impairment charge, under the new standard the amount of the charge will be calculated by subtracting the reporting unit’s fair value from its carrying amount. Under the prior standard, if we were required to recognize a goodwill impairment charge, Step 2 required us to calculate the implied value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the amount of the charge was calculated by subtracting the reporting unit’s implied fair value of goodwill from its actual goodwill balance.

To estimate the fair value of our reporting units, we use both an income approach based on management’s estimates of future cash flows and other market data and a market approach based upon multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, earned by similar public companies. Once the fair value is determined, we then compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is determined to be less than the carrying value, we perform an additional assessment to determine the extent of the impairment based on the implied fair value of goodwill compared with the carrying amount of the goodwill. In the event that the current implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized.

Inherent in such fair value determinations are significant judgments and estimates, including but not limited to assumptions about our future revenue, profitability and cash flows, our operational plans and our interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations. To the extent these assumptions are incorrect or economic conditions that would impact the future operations of our reporting units change, any goodwill may be deemed to be impaired, and an impairment charge could have in a material impact on our financial position or results of operation. Almost all of our goodwill is contained in our Energy segment, with the remainder in our Engineering and Consulting segment. At our measurement date, the estimated fair value of our Energy segment exceeded its carrying value. Any reduction in the estimated fair value of our Energy segment could result in an impairment charge of goodwill associated with this segment in future periods.

Business Combinations

The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires us to use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the business combination date. For reporting periods prior to the completion of our procedures to value assets and liabilities, the acquisition method requires us to refine those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which we may adjust the provisional amounts recognized for a business combination) based upon new information about facts that existed on the business combination date.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, we recognize separately from goodwill the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interests in an acquiree, at the acquisition date fair value. We measure goodwill as of the acquisition date as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Costs that we incur to complete the business combination such as investment banking, legal and other professional fees are not considered part of consideration. We charge these acquisition costs to other general and administrative expense as they are incurred.

Should the initial accounting for a business combination be incomplete by the end of a reporting period that falls within the measurement period, we report provisional amounts in our financial statements. During the measurement period, we adjust the provisional amounts recognized at the acquisition date to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date and we record those adjustments to our financial statements. We recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined, including the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.

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During fiscal years 2021 and 2020, we did not have any acquisitions. During fiscal year 2019, we completed three acquisitions; On October 28, 2019, we acquired all of the capital stock of E3, Inc. On July 2, 2019, we acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Onsite Energy. On March 8, 2019, we acquired substantially all of the assets of the energy practice division of The Weidt Group.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of our assets and liabilities, subject to a judgmental assessment of the recoverability of deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more-likely-than-not that some of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. Significant judgment is applied when assessing the need for valuation allowances and includes the evaluation of historical income (loss) adjusted for the effects of non-recurring items and the impact of recent business combinations. Areas of estimation include our consideration of future taxable income which is driven by verifiable signed contracts and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the utilization of deferred tax assets in future years, we would adjust the related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or charge to income.

For acquired business entities, if we identify changes to acquired deferred tax asset valuation allowances or liabilities related to uncertain tax positions during the measurement period and they relate to new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, those changes are considered a measurement period adjustment and we record the offset to goodwill. We record all other changes to deferred tax asset valuation allowances and liabilities related to uncertain tax positions in current period income tax expense.

We recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions if it is more-likely-than-not that the tax positions will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit is measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

For further discussion of our income taxes, see Part II, Item 8, Note 11, “Income Taxes” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Standards

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For a description of recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements, including adoption dates and expected effects on our results of operations and financial condition, see Part II, Item 8, Note 2, “Recent Accounting Pronouncements”, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss to future earnings, to fair values or to future cash flows that may result from changes in the price of a financial instrument. The value of a financial instrument may change as a result of changes in interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes. Market risk is attributed to all market risk sensitive financial instruments, including long-term debt.

As of December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $11.2 million. This amount represents cash on hand in business checking accounts with BMO Harris Bank, N.A.

We do not engage in trading activities and do not participate in foreign currency transactions.

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We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our Term A Loan and borrowings, if any, under our revolving credit facility and delayed draw term loan, each of which bears interest at variable rates. As of December 31, 2021, $75.0 million was outstanding under our Term A Loan, $24.0 million was outstanding under our delayed draw term loan, no borrowed amounts were outstanding and $4.1 million in letters of credit were issued under the revolving credit facility. Each of our Term A Loan, revolving credit facility and delayed draw term loan mature as of June 26, 2024 and are governed by our credit agreement, as amended.

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Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, (as described in Part II, Item 8, Note 5, “Debt Obligations,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K), borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at all times other than during the initial covenant relief period granted by the Third Amendment, at either a Base Rate or LIBOR, each as defined in the credit agreement, at our option, and, in each case, plus an applicable margin, which applicable margin will range from 0.125% to 1.25% with respect to Base Rate borrowings and 1.125% to 2.25% with respect to LIBOR borrowings, depending on our consolidated leverage ratio; provided that LIBOR cannot be less than 0.00%. We will also pay a commitment fee for the unused portion of the revolving credit facility and the delayed draw term loan facility, which ranges from 0.15% to 0.40% per annum depending on our consolidated leverage ratio, and fees on the face amount of any letters of credit outstanding under the revolving credit facility, which range from 0.84% to 1.688% per annum, in each case, depending on whether such letter of credit is a performance or financial letter of credit and the Leverage Ratio.

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The Term A Loan amortizes quarterly in installments of $2.5 million beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 27, 2019, with a final payment of all then remaining principal and interest due on the maturity date of June 26, 2024, subject to certain prepayment obligations based on our excess cash flow. Each borrowing under our delayed draw term loan will amortize quarterly in an amount equal to 2.5% of the aggregate outstanding borrowings under the delayed draw term loan, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the initial borrowing date, with a final payment of all then remaining principal and interest due on the maturity date of June 26, 2024, subject to certain prepayment obligations based on our excess cash flow.

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On January 31, 2019, we entered into an interest swap agreement for $35.0 million notional amount. The interest swap agreement was designated as a cash flow hedge to fix the variable interest rate on a portion of the outstanding principal amount under our prior term loan facility. The interest swap fixed rate is 2.47% and the amortization is quarterly in an amount equal to 10% annually. The interest swap agreement expired on January 31, 2022.

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Based upon the amount of our outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2021, a one percentage point increase in the effective interest rate would change our annual interest expense by approximately $1.0 million in 2021.

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Risk Related to LIBOR Transition

As of December 31, 2021, all of our $99.0 million of debt outstanding under our credit agreement bore interest at a floating rate that uses LIBOR as the applicable reference rate to calculate the interest. On March 5, 2021, the Chief Executive of the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, publicly announced that no new contracts using U.S. dollar LIBOR should be entered into after December 31, 2021, and that publication of certain tenors of U.S. dollar LIBOR (including overnight and one, three, six and 12 months) will permanently cease after June 30, 2023. In the United States, efforts to identify a set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates are ongoing, and the Alternative Reference Rate Committee (“ARRC”) has recommended the use of a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”). SOFR is different from LIBOR in that it is a backward-looking secured rate rather than a forward-looking unsecured rate. For cash products and loans, the ARRC has also recommended Term SOFR, which is a forward-looking SOFR based on SOFR futures and may in part reduce differences between SOFR and LIBOR.

On March 8, 2022, we entered into the Fifth Amendment (as described in Part II, Item 8, Note 15, “Subsequent Events” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report of Form 10-K) which, among other things, revises the pricing structure of borrowings under our Credit Agreement from utilizing as a reference rate LIBOR to utilizing SOFR.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 173) 56

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021 59

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 63

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

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Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Willdan Group, Inc.

Anaheim, California

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Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Willdan Group, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

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In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.

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Basis for Opinions

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The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

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We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

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Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

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Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

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A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,

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and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

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Critical Audit Matters

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The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Estimated costs to complete on fixed price contracts

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, revenues from fixed price contracts are recognized over time since control of the services is transferred continuously to the client. Generally, revenue is recognized using costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying the Company’s performance obligations, which typically occurs over time periods ranging from six months to one year.

We identified auditing management’s estimates of costs to complete on select fixed price contracts to be a critical audit matter. The critical audit matter relates to select long-term fixed price construction contracts, based on magnitude of estimated costs to complete and the stage of completion of the contract. These estimates require management to make assumptions about future events and, as a result, a high degree of auditor judgment is involved in auditing these estimates. Due to the factors above, auditing management’s estimates of costs to complete required extensive audit procedures.

Our audit procedures related to the evaluation of estimated costs at completion for fixed price contracts included the following:

● Agreed a sample of contract costs incurred to supporting documentation.

● Recalculated revenue recognition based on the percentage of completion.

Estimated realization of deferred income tax assets for net operating losses

​

As described in Notes 1 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated net deferred tax assets includes the value of net operating losses that management expects to realize before the net operating losses expire. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management estimates future taxable income by jurisdiction. Significant estimates are required in estimating future taxable income, the reversal of income tax liabilities, leading to significant judgment from management.

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​

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the income tax valuation allowances on deferred tax assets is a critical audit matter are there was significant judgment by management when estimating future taxable income and reversal of income tax liabilities. This in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and in evaluating audit evidence relating to the realization of deferred income tax assets. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

​

Our audit procedures related to the evaluation of management's estimates over the realization of deferred income tax assets included the following:

​

​

​

​

/s/Crowe LLP

​

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2018.

​

Sherman Oaks, California

March 10, 2022

​

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WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par value)

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ December 31, ​ January 1,

Assets

Current assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ 4,972 ​ 5,564

Equipment and leasehold improvements, net ​ 16,757 ​ 12,506

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Contingent consideration payable ​ ​ 10,206 ​ ​ 12,321

Finance lease obligations ​ 539 ​ ​ 248

Contingent consideration payable ​ ​ 832 ​ ​ 2,999

Finance lease obligations, less current portion ​ 778 ​ 236

Lease liability, less current portion ​ ​ 10,768 ​ ​ 15,649

Other noncurrent liabilities ​ ​ 78 ​ ​ 128

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Commitments and contingencies ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Stockholders’ equity: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Accumulated other comprehensive loss ​ ​ (38) ​ ​ (488)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity ​ $ 394,422 ​ $ 403,024

​

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

​

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ Fiscal Year

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

General and administrative expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Income tax (benefit) expense ​ (3,987) ​ (5,173) ​ (185)

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Other comprehensive income (loss): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Net unrealized income (loss) on derivative contracts ​ ​ 450 ​ ​ (92) ​ ​ (396)

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Earnings (loss) per share: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Weighted-average shares outstanding: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​

​

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accumulated ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Additional ​ other ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ Common Stock ​ Paid-in ​ Comprehensive ​ Retained ​ ​ ​

​ Shares Amount Capital Income (Loss) Earnings Total

Issuance of restricted stock award and units ​ 213 ​ 2 ​ (2) ​ — ​ — ​ ​ —

Unregistered sales of stock ​ 53 ​ 1 ​ 1,699 ​ — ​ — ​ 1,700

Stock issued to acquire businesses ​ 162 ​ ​ 2 ​ ​ 4,939 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 4,941

Stock-based compensation expense — ​ — ​ 12,112 ​ — ​ — ​ 12,112

Net unrealized loss on derivative contracts ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (396) ​ — ​ (396)

Stock-based compensation expense — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 16,113 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ 16,113

Net loss — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ (14,496) ​ (14,496)

Stock-based compensation expense — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 16,563 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ 16,563

Net income (loss) — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ (8,417) ​ (8,417)

Net unrealized gain on derivative contracts ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 450 ​ ​ — ​ 450

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

​

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Cash flows from operating activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Deferred income taxes, net ​ (2,738) ​ ​ (5,209) ​ ​ (209)

(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of equipment ​ (24) ​ ​ (15) ​ ​ (8)

Provision for doubtful accounts ​ 102 ​ ​ 1,330 ​ ​ 1,051

Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ 828 ​ ​ 577 ​ ​ (343)

Cash flows from investing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Proceeds from sale of equipment ​ ​ 46 ​ ​ 17 ​ ​ 45

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ (71,756)

Net cash used in investing activities ​ (8,454) ​ (5,059) ​ (78,348)

Cash flows from financing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Payments on contingent consideration ​ (6,615) ​ ​ (1,433) ​ ​ (1,381)

Payments on notes payable ​ ​ (1,909) ​ ​ (205) ​ ​ (1,842)

Payments on debt issuance costs ​ ​ — ​ ​ (327) ​ ​ (709)

Proceeds from notes payable ​ 2,074 ​ ​ 1,140 ​ ​ —

Principal payments on finance leases ​ (545) ​ ​ (549) ​ ​ (639)

Proceeds from stock option exercise ​ 1,924 ​ ​ 1,082 ​ ​ 931

Cash used to pay taxes on stock grants ​ ​ (3,117) ​ ​ (2,946) ​ ​ (2,880)

Restricted Stock Award and Units ​ ​ (1) ​ ​ 1 ​ ​ —

Proceeds from unregistered sales of equity ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,700

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ​ 28,405 ​ 5,452 ​ 15,259

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ​ $ 11,221 ​ $ 28,405 ​ $ 5,452

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Cash paid (received) during the period for: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Other working capital adjustment ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,179 ​ ​ —

Equipment acquired under finance leases ​ ​ 1,376 ​ ​ 467 ​ ​ 661

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

​

​

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WILLDAN GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY

Willdan Group, Inc. (“Willdan”) is a provider of professional, technical and consulting services to utilities, private industry, and public agencies at all levels of government. As resources and infrastructures undergo continuous change, the Company helps organizations and their communities evolve and thrive by providing a wide range of technical services for energy solutions and government infrastructure. Through engineering, program management, policy advisory, and software and data management, the Company designs and delivers trusted, comprehensive, innovative, and proven solutions to improve efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability in energy and infrastructure.

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).

The consolidated statement of stockholders' equity includes repurchases of shares of our common stock from employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations incurred in connection with the vesting of restricted stock or performance stock units, which amount is presented as a reduction of additional paid-in capital and common stock.

Fiscal Years

The Company operates and reports its annual financial results based on 52 or 53-week periods ending on the Friday closest to December 31. The Company operates and reports its quarterly financial results based on the 13-week period ending on the Friday closest to June 30, September 30, and December 31 and the 13 or 14-week period ending on the Friday closest to March 31, as applicable. Fiscal year 2021, which ended on December 31, 2021, was comprised of 52 weeks, with all quarters presented consisting of 13 weeks. Fiscal year 2020, which ended on January 1, 2021, was comprised of 53 weeks, with the first quarter consisting of 14 weeks and the remaining quarters consisting of 13 weeks each. Fiscal year 2019, which ended on December 27, 2019, was comprised of 52 weeks, with all quarters presented consisting of 13 weeks. All references to years in the notes to consolidated financial statements represent fiscal years.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Willdan Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and their respective subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the consolidated balance sheets to conform to the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The Company from time to time may be exposed to credit risk with its bank deposits in excess of the

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FDIC insurance limits and with uninsured money market investments. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company uses the three-tier hierarchy of fair value measurement, which prioritizes the inputs. These tiers include: Level 1 (the highest priority), defined as observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets, Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3 (the lowest priority), defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

​

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, contract assets, other receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and contract liabilities. The carrying amounts of certain other assets and contingent consideration are discounted to their present value because the time between the origination of these instruments and their expected realization or payment is greater than one year.

​

As of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021 the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, contract assets, other receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and contract liabilities, approximate their fair values because of the relatively short period of time between the origination of these instruments and their expected realization or payment. The carrying amounts of debt obligations approximate their fair values since the terms are comparable to terms currently offered by local lending institutions for loans of similar terms to companies with comparable credit risk.

​

The carrying amounts of the derivative financial instrument is valued based on Level 2 inputs.

​

Variable Interest Entities

The Company accounts for variable interest entities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation. Under ASC 810, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) is created when any of the following criteria are present: (a) the equity investment at risk in the entity is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by other parties, including the equity holders; (b) the entity’s equity holders as a group either (i) lack the direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity, (ii) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity or (iii) do not have the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the entity’s equity holders have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests, and the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of the equity holder with disproportionately few voting rights. If an entity is deemed to be a VIE pursuant to ASC 810, the enterprise that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity or right to receive benefits from the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE. In accordance with ASC 810, the Company performs ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had one VIE — Genesys Engineering, P.C. (“Genesys”). Pursuant to New York law, the Company does not own capital stock of Genesys and does not have control over the professional decision making of Genesys’s engineering services. The Company, however, has entered into an administrative services agreement with Genesys pursuant to which WES, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, will provide Genesys with ongoing administrative, operational and other non-professional support services. The Company manages Genesys and has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Genesys’s performance, in addition to being obligated to absorb expected losses from Genesys. Accordingly, the Company is the primary beneficiary of Genesys and consolidates Genesys as a VIE.

Management also concluded there is no noncontrolling interest related to the consolidation of Genesys because management determined that (i) the shareholder of Genesys does not have more than a nominal amount of equity

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investment at risk, (ii) WES absorbs the expected losses of Genesys through its deferral of Genesys’s service fees owed to WES and the Company has, since entering into the administrative services agreement, had to continuously defer service fees for Genesys, and (iii) the Company believes Genesys will continue to have a shortfall on payment of its service fees for the foreseeable future, leaving no expected residual returns for the shareholder. For more information regarding Genesys, see Note 8 “Commitments and Variable Interest Entities.”

Segment Information

The Company presents segment information externally consistent with the manner in which the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews information to assess performance and allocate resources. The Company’s two segments are (i) Energy, and (ii) Engineering and Consulting.

Willdan Group, Inc. (“WGI”) is a holding company and performs administrative functions on behalf of its subsidiaries, such as treasury, legal, accounting, information systems, human resources and certain business development activities, and earns revenue that is only incidental to the activities of the enterprise. As a result, WGI does not meet the definition of an operating segment.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

Billing practices are governed by the contract terms of each project based upon costs incurred, achievement of milestones or pre-agreed schedules. Billings do not necessarily correlate with revenue recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition. Contract assets include unbilled amounts typically resulting from revenue under contracts where the percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition is utilized and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer. In addition, contract assets include retainage amounts withheld from billings to the Company’s clients pursuant to provisions in our contracts. Contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized and deferred revenue.

Adoption of ASC 606

On December 30, 2017, the Company adopted ASC 606, using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of December 29, 2017. Prior to adopting ASC 606, the Company established an implementation team, which included senior managers from its finance and accounting group. The implementation team evaluated the impact of adopting ASC 606 on its contracts expected to be uncompleted as of December 30, 2017 (the date of adoption). The evaluation included reviewing its accounting policies and practices to identify differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard. The Company identified and made changes to its processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. The implementation team worked closely with various professional consultants and attended several formal conferences and seminars to conclude on certain interpretative issues.

The Company recognizes engineering and consulting contract revenue over time using the percentage-of-completion method, based primarily on contract cost incurred to date compared to total estimated contract cost. Revenue on the vast majority of its contracts will continue to be recognized over time because of the continuous transfer of control to the customer. Revenue recognition for software licenses issued by the Energy segment is recognized at a point in time, upon acceptance of the software by the customer and in recognition of the fulfillment of the performance obligation. Certain additional performance obligations beyond the base software license may be separated from the gross license fee and recognized on a straight-line basis over time.

​

Contract Accounting

The Company enters into contracts with its clients that contain various types of pricing provisions, including fixed price, time-and-materials, and unit-based provisions. The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customer, codified as ASC Topic 606 and the related amendments (collectively “ASC 606”). As such, the Company identifies a contract with a customer, identifies the performance obligations in the

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contract, determines the transaction price, allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation in the contract and recognizes revenues when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation.

The following table reflects the Company’s two reportable segments and the types of contracts that each most commonly enters into for revenue generating activities.

​

Segment Contract Type Revenue Recognition Method

​ Time-and-materials Time-and-materials

Energy Unit-based Unit-based

​ Software license Unit-based

​ Fixed price Percentage-of-completion

​ Time-and-materials Time-and-materials

Engineering and Consulting Unit-based Unit-based

​ Fixed price Percentage-of-completion

​

Revenue on the vast majority of the Company’s contracts is recognized over time because of the continuous transfer of control to the customer. Revenue on fixed price contracts is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method based generally on the ratio of direct costs incurred-to-date to estimated total direct costs at completion. The Company uses the percentage-of-completion method to better match the level of work performed at a certain point in time in relation to the effort that will be required to complete a project. In addition, the percentage-of-completion method is a common method of revenue recognition in the Company’s industry.

Many of the Company’s fixed price contracts involve a high degree of subcontracted fixed price effort and are relatively short in duration, thereby lowering the risks of not properly estimating the percent complete. Revenue on time-and-materials and unit-based contracts is recognized as the work is performed in accordance with the specific rates and terms of the contract. The Company recognizes revenues for time-and-materials contracts based upon the actual hours incurred during a reporting period at contractually agreed upon rates per hour and also includes in revenue all reimbursable costs incurred during a reporting period. Certain of the Company’s time-and-materials contracts are subject to maximum contract values and, accordingly, when revenue is expected to exceed the maximum contract value, these contracts are generally recognized under the percentage-of-completion method, consistent with fixed price contracts. For unit-based contracts, the Company recognizes the contract price of units of a basic production product as revenue when the production product is delivered during a period. Revenue for amounts that have been billed but not earned is deferred, and such deferred revenue is referred to as contract liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company also derives revenue from software licenses and professional services and maintenance fees. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company performs an assessment of each contract to identify the performance obligations, determine the overall transaction price for the contract, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and recognize the revenue when the performance obligations are satisfied. The Company utilizes the residual approach by which it estimates the standalone selling price by reference to the total transaction price less the sum of the observable standalone selling prices of other goods or services promised in the contract. The software license revenue is typically recognized at a point in time when control is transferred to the client, which is defined as the point in time when the client can use and benefit from the license. The software license is delivered before related services are provided and is functional without services, updates, or technical support. Related professional services include training and support services in which the standalone selling price is determined based on an input measure of hours incurred to total estimated hours and is recognized over time, usually which is the life of the contract.

To determine the proper revenue recognition method for contracts, the Company evaluates whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as one single contract and whether the combined contract should be accounted for as one performance obligation. With respect to the Company’s contracts, it is rare that multiple contracts should be combined into a single performance obligation. This evaluation requires significant judgment and the decision to combine a group of contracts or separate a single contract into multiple performance obligations could change the amount of revenue and profit recorded in a given period. Contracts are considered to have a single performance obligation if the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in

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the contracts, which is mainly because the Company provides a significant service of integrating a complex set of tasks and components into a single project or capability.

The Company may enter into contracts that include separate phases or elements. If each phase or element is negotiated separately based on the technical resources required and/or the supply and demand for the services being provided, the Company evaluates if the contracts should be segmented. If certain criteria are met, the contracts would be segmented which could result in revenues being assigned to the different elements or phases with different rates of profitability based on the relative value of each element or phase to the estimated total contract revenue. Segmented contracts may comprise up to approximately 2.0% to 3.0% of the Company’s consolidated contract revenue.

Contracts that cover multiple phases or elements of the project or service lifecycle (development, construction and maintenance and support) may be considered to have multiple performance obligations even when they are part of a single contract. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation using the best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract. For the periods presented, the value of the separate performance obligations under contracts with multiple performance obligations (generally measurement and verification tasks under certain energy performance contracts) were not material. In cases where the Company does not provide the distinct good or service on a standalone basis, the primary method used to estimate standalone selling price is the expected cost plus a margin approach, under which the Company forecasts the Company’s expected costs of satisfying a performance obligation and then adds an appropriate margin for the distinct good or service.

The Company provides quality of workmanship warranties to customers that are included in the sale and are not priced or sold separately or do not provide customers with a service in addition to assurance of compliance with agreed-upon specifications and industry standards. The Company does not consider these types of warranties to be separate performance obligations.

In some cases, the Company has a master service or blanket agreement with a customer under which each task order releases the Company to perform specific portions of the overall scope in the service contract. Each task order is typically accounted for as a separate contract because the task order establishes the enforceable rights and obligations, and payment terms.

Under ASC 606, variable consideration should be considered when determining the transaction price and estimates should be made for the variable consideration component of the transaction price, as well as assessing whether an estimate of variable consideration is constrained. For certain of the Company’s contracts, variable consideration can arise from modifications to the scope of services resulting from unapproved change orders or customer claims. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The Company estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on assessments of legal enforceability, the Company’s performance, and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to the Company.

Due to the nature of the work required to be performed on many of the Company’s performance obligations, the estimation of total revenue and cost at completion is complex, subject to many variables and requires significant judgment. As a significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of the Company’s contracts, the Company reviews and updates the Company’s contract-related estimates regularly through a company-wide disciplined project review process in which management reviews the progress and execution of the Company’s performance obligations and the estimate at completion (EAC). As part of this process, management reviews information including, but not limited to, any outstanding key contract matters, progress towards completion and the related program schedule and the related changes in estimates of revenues and costs. Management must make assumptions and estimates regarding labor productivity and availability, the complexity of the work to be performed, the cost and availability of materials, the performance of subcontractors, and the availability and timing of funding from the customer, among other variables.

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The Company recognizes adjustments in estimated profit on contracts under the cumulative catch-up method. Under this method, the impact of the adjustment on profit recorded to date is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods of contract performance is recognized using the adjusted estimate. If at any time the estimate of contract profitability indicates an anticipated loss on the contract, the Company recognizes the full amount of estimated loss in the period it is identified.

Contracts are often modified to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. The Company considers contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new rights or obligations or changes the existing enforceable rights or obligations. Most of the Company’s contract modifications are for goods or services that are not distinct from existing contracts due to the significant integration provided in the context of the contract and are accounted for as if they were part of the original contract. The effect of a contract modification that is not distinct from the existing contract on the transaction price and the Company’s measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates is recognized as an adjustment to revenue (either as an increase in or a reduction of revenue) on a cumulative catch-up basis.

For contract modifications that result in the promise to deliver goods or services that are distinct from the existing contract and the increase in price of the contract is for the same amount as the standalone selling price of the additional goods or services included in the modification, the Company accounts for such contract modifications as a separate contract.

The Company includes claims to vendors, subcontractors and others as a receivable and a reduction in recognized costs when enforceability of the claim is established by the contract and the amounts are reasonably estimable and probable of being recovered. The amounts are recorded up to the extent of the lesser of the amounts management expects to recover or to costs incurred.

Billing practices are governed by the contract terms of each project based upon costs incurred, achievement of milestones or pre-agreed schedules. Billings do not necessarily correlate with revenue recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition.

Direct costs of contract revenue consist primarily of that portion of technical and nontechnical salaries and wages that has been incurred in connection with revenue producing projects. Direct costs of contract revenue also include production expenses, subcontractor services and other expenses that are incurred in connection with revenue producing projects.

Direct costs of contract revenue exclude that portion of technical and nontechnical salaries and wages related to marketing efforts, vacations, holidays and other time not spent directly generating revenue under existing contracts. Such costs are included in general and administrative expenses. Additionally, payroll taxes, bonuses and employee benefit costs for all Company personnel are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income since no allocation of these costs is made to direct costs of contract revenue. No allocation of facilities costs is made to direct costs of contract revenue. Other companies may classify as direct costs of contract revenue some of the costs that the Company classifies as general and administrative costs. The Company expenses direct costs of contract revenue when incurred.

Included in revenue and costs are all reimbursable costs for which the Company has the risk or on which the fee was based at the time of bid or negotiation. No revenue or cost is recorded for costs in which the Company acts solely in the capacity of an agent and has no risks associated with such costs.

Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based upon a review of all outstanding amounts on a quarterly basis. Management determines allowances for doubtful accounts through specific identification of amounts considered to be uncollectible and potential write-offs, plus a non-specific allowance for other amounts for which some potential loss has been determined to be probable based on current and past experience. The Company’s historical credit losses have been minimal with governmental entities and large public

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utilities, but disputes may arise related to these receivable amounts. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received.

Retainage, included in contract assets, represents amounts withheld from billings to the Company’s clients pursuant to provisions in the contracts and may not be paid to the Company until specific tasks are completed or the project is completed and, in some instances, for even longer periods. As of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021, contract assets included retainage of $4.5 million and $6.2 million, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses include the costs of the marketing and support staff, other marketing expenses, management and administrative personnel costs, payroll taxes, bonuses and employee benefits for all of the Company’s employees and the portion of salaries and wages not allocated to direct costs of contract revenue for those employees who provide the Company’s services. General and administrative expenses also include facility costs, depreciation and amortization, professional services, legal and accounting fees and administrative operating costs. Within general and administrative expenses, “Other” includes expenses such as provision for billed or unbilled receivables, professional services, legal and accounting, computer costs, travel and entertainment, marketing costs and acquisition costs. The Company expenses general and administrative costs when incurred.

Leases

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 require, among other things, that lessees recognize the following for all leases (unless a policy election is made by class of underlying asset to exclude short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or the direct use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The FASB issued ASU 2018-11 on July 30, 2018, which allows entities to apply the provisions of ASC 842 at the effective date without adjusting comparative periods.

​

On December 29, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02 using the modified retrospective method. Under this guidance, the net present value of future lease payments is recorded as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. In addition, the Company elected the ‘package of practical expedients’ permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification. In addition, the Company elected not to utilize the hindsight practical expedient to determine the lease term for existing leases. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for its facilities leases. Previously, all of the Company’s office leases were classified as operating leases and rent expense was included in facilities expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

​

In addition, the Company leases certain equipment under financing leases. The economic substance of the leases is a financing transaction for acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements. Accordingly, the right-of-use assets for these leases are included in the balance sheets in equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation, with a corresponding amount recorded in current portion of financing lease obligations or noncurrent portion of financing lease obligations, as appropriate. The financing lease assets are amortized over the life of the lease or, if shorter, the life of the leased asset, on a straight-line basis and included in depreciation expense in the statements of comprehensive income. The interest associated with financing lease obligations is included in interest expense in the statements of comprehensive income. For more information, see Note 7, “Leases”.

​

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Equipment under capital leases is stated at the present value of the minimum lease payments as of the acquisition date. Depreciation and amortization on equipment are calculated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of

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two to five years. Leasehold improvements and assets under capital leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of estimated useful lives or the term of the related lease.

Following are the estimated useful lives used to calculate depreciation and amortization:

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Category Estimated Useful Life

Furniture and fixtures 5 years

Computer hardware 3 years

Computer software 3 years

Automobiles and trucks 3 years

Field equipment 5 years

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Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of the assets acquired. The Company completes its annual testing of goodwill as of the last day of the first month of its fourth fiscal quarter each year to determine whether there is impairment. Goodwill, which has an indefinite useful life, is not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Impairment losses for reporting units are recognized to the extent that a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

Long-lived assets

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

Accounting for Claims against the Company

The Company accrues an undiscounted liability related to claims against it for which the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company discloses the amount accrued and an estimate of any reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such disclosure is necessary for its financial statements not to be misleading. The Company does not accrue liabilities related to claims when the likelihood that a loss has been incurred is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, or when the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote. Losses related to recorded claims are included in general and administrative expenses.

Determining probability and estimating claim amounts is highly judgmental. Initial accruals and any subsequent changes in the Company’s estimates could have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for all stock-based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of the accounting standard entitled “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite vesting period. The fair values of all stock options granted and the fair values of all Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) purchase rights are estimated using the Black-Scholes option-valuation model. The Black-Scholes option-valuation model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. Performance-based restricted stock unit awards (“PBRSUs”) are granted to certain employees and vest only after the achievement of pre-determined performance metrics. Once the performance metrics are met, vesting of PBRSUs is subject to continued service by the employee. At the end of each reporting period, the

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Company evaluates the probability that PBRSUs will be earned. The Company records stock-based compensation expense based on the probability that the performance metrics will be achieved over the vesting period.

Business Combinations

The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires the Company to use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the business combination date and to refine those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which the Company may adjust the provisional amounts recognized for a business combination based upon new information about facts that existed on the business combination date).

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company recognizes separately from goodwill the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interests in an acquiree, at the acquisition date fair value. The Company measures goodwill as of the acquisition date as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Costs that the Company incurs to complete the business combination such as investment banking, legal and other professional fees are not considered part of consideration. The Company charges these acquisition costs to general and administrative expense as they are incurred.