NOTE 14 — FAIR VALUE

ASC Topic 820, Fair value Measurements and Disclosures, (“ASC Topic 820”) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands the related disclosure requirements. This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. The statement indicates, among other things, that a fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value based upon an exit price model. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and involves consideration of factors specific to the asset or liability.

ASC Topic 820 establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.

On a Recurring Basis:

A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following table provides the financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

Interest rate swaps are securities with no quoted readily available Level 1 inputs, and therefore are measured at fair value using inputs that are directly observable in active markets and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, using the income approach (See Note 15).

Our Level 3 fair value liabilities represent contingent consideration recorded related to the 2011 Ballard acquisition, to be paid up to a maximum of $5.5 million if certain revenue growth targets are met over the next five years and the 2013 AeroSat acquisition, to be paid up to a maximum of $53.0 million if certain revenue growth targets are met over the next two years.

The amounts recorded for the contingent considerations were calculated using an estimate of the probability of the future cash outflows. The varying contingent payments were then discounted to the present value utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology. The contingent consideration liabilities have no observable Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. The change in the balance of contingent consideration during fiscal 2014 was primarily due to accretion of $0.9 million, which was offset by fair value adjustments of $5.0 million, resulting from the re-evaluation of the probability of the achievement of the contingent consideration targets. This adjustment was recorded within SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

On a Non-recurring Basis:

In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, the Company estimates the fair value of reporting units, utilizing unobservable Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs require significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices or observable inputs for assets of a similar nature. The Company utilizes a discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of reporting units utilizing unobservable inputs. The fair value measurement of the reporting unit under the step-one and step-two analysis of the quantitative goodwill impairment test are classified as Level 3 inputs. There were no impairment charges to goodwill in any of the Company’s reporting units in 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Intangible assets that are amortized are evaluated for recoverability whenever adverse effects or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The recoverability test consists of comparing the undiscounted projected cash flows with the carrying amount. Should the carrying amount exceed undiscounted projected cash flows, an impairment loss would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount exceeds fair value. There were no impairment charges to any of the Company’s intangible assets in either of the Company’s segments in 2014, 2013, or 2012.

At December 31, 2014, the fair value of goodwill and intangible assets classified using Level 3 inputs are as follows:

Due to their short-term nature, the carrying value of cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and notes payable approximate fair value. The carrying value of the Company’s variable rate long-term debt instruments also approximates fair value due to the variable rate feature of these instruments.