Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. ("Gulf Island"), together with its subsidiaries ("the Company," "we," "us" and "our"), is a leading fabricator of complex steel structures, modules and marine vessels used in energy extraction and production, petrochemical and industrial facilities, power generation, alternative energy and shipping and marine transportation operations. We also provide project management for engineering, procurement and construction ("EPC") projects along with installation, hookup, commissioning, and repair and maintenance services. In addition, we perform civil, drainage and other work for state and local governments. Our customers include United States ("U.S.") and, to a lesser extent, international energy producers; petrochemical, industrial, power and marine operators; EPC companies; and certain agencies of the U.S. government. We operate and manage our business through four operating divisions ("Fabrication", "Shipyard", "Services" and "EPC") and one non-operating division ("Corporate"), which represent our reportable segments. Our corporate headquarters is located in Houston, Texas, with fabrication facilities located in Houma, Jennings and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Significant projects in our backlog include the expansion of a paddle wheel riverboat, the construction of nine remaining harbor tug vessels, two offshore regional class marine research vessels (with a customer option for a third vessel), two vehicle ferries, two towboats, an ice-breaker tug, and a towing, salvage and rescue ship for the U.S. Navy (with customer options for seven additional vessels). Recently completed projects include the fabrication of complex modules for a newbuild petrochemical facility and construction of two technologically-advanced OSVs, and a harbor tug vessel. Previous projects also include the fabrication of wind turbine foundations for the first offshore wind project in the U.S., and construction of two of the largest liftboats servicing the Gulf of Mexico ("GOM"), one of the deepest production jackets in the GOM, and the first single point anchor reservoir ("SPAR") hull fabricated in the U.S.

Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements ("Financial Statements") have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP"). The Financial Statements reflect all majority owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain balances at December 31, 2017, have been reclassified within our Consolidated Balance Sheets ("Balance Sheet") to conform to our presentation at December 31, 2018, and certain amounts for 2017 and 2016 have been reclassified within our Consolidated Statements of Operations ("Statement of Operations") to conform to our presentation for 2018. See below for further discussion of the reclassification of certain balances for prior years.

Business Outlook

We continue to strategically position the Company to participate in the fabrication of petrochemical and industrial facilities, pursue offshore wind opportunities, enter the EPC industry, and diversify our customer base within all our operating divisions. In addition, we continue to focus on maintaining our liquidity and securing meaningful new project awards and backlog in the near-term, and generating operating income and cash flows from operations in the longer-term. We have made significant progress in our efforts to increase our backlog and improve and preserve our liquidity, including ongoing cost reductions (including reducing the cash compensation paid to our directors and the salaries of our executive officers) and the sale of underutilized assets. See Note 3 for further discussion of our recent asset sales and assets held for sale at December 31, 2018.

We believe our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and availability under our Credit Agreement (defined in Note 7), will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operating expenses, meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements, and satisfy any debt service obligations or other funding requirements, for at least twelve months from the filing date of this Report.

Operating Cycle

The durations of our contracts vary, but typically extend beyond twelve months from the date of contract award. Consistent with industry practice, assets and liabilities have been classified as current under the operating cycle concept whereby all contract-related items are classified as current regardless of whether cash will be received or paid within a twelve month period. Assets and liabilities classified as current which may not be received or paid within the next twelve months include contract retainage, contract assets, deferred revenue and contract liabilities. Variations from normal contract terms may result in the classification of assets and liabilities as long-term.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We believe our most significant estimates and judgments are associated with revenue recognition for our contracts, including application of the percentage-of-completion method, estimating costs to complete each contract and the recognition of incentives, unapproved change orders, claims, and liquidated damages; fair value and recoverability assessments that must be periodically performed with respect to long-lived assets and our assets held for sale; determination of deferred income tax assets, liabilities and related valuation allowances; reserves for bad debts; and liabilities related to self-insurance programs. If the underlying estimates and assumptions upon which our Financial Statements are based change in the future, actual amounts may differ materially from those included in the Financial Statements.

Earnings Per Share

We report basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") using the "two-class" method as required under GAAP. The calculation of EPS using the two-class method is required when a company has two or more classes of common stock or participating securities. Certain of our unvested restricted stock (which are not included in our basic or diluted weighted average shares outstanding) contain the right to receive non-refundable dividends and therefore represent participating securities. See Note 6 for calculations of our basic and diluted EPS.
Cash Equivalents
We consider investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Short-term investments

We consider investments with original maturities of more than three months but less than twelve months to be short-term investments. At December 31, 2018, our short-term investments include U.S. Treasuries with original maturities of less than six months. We intend to hold these investments until maturity and have stated them at amortized cost. Due to their near-term maturities, amortized cost approximates fair value. All short-term investments are traded on active markets with quoted prices and represent level 1 fair value measurements. See Note 5 for further discussion of our fair value measurements.

Inventory
Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value determined using the first-in-first-out basis. The cost of inventory includes acquisition costs, production or conversion costs, and other costs incurred to bring the inventory to a current location and condition. Net realizable value is our estimated selling price in the normal course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. An allowance for excess or inactive inventory is recorded based on an analysis that considers current inventory levels, historical usage patterns, estimates of future sales and salvage value. See Note 5 for further discussion of our inventory.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
In the normal course of business we extend credit to our customers on a short-term basis and contract receivables are generally not collateralized; however, we typically have the right to place liens on our projects in the event of nonpayment by our customers. We routinely review individual contract receivable balances for collectibility and make provisions for probable uncollectible amounts as necessary. Among the factors considered in our review are the financial condition of our customer and its access to financing, underlying disputes with the customer, the age and value of the receivable balance, and economic conditions in general.
Our customer base historically includes a significant number of energy related companies and their contractors. This concentration of customers in the energy sector may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions. See Note 2 for further discussion of our allowance for doubtful accounts.

Stock-Based Compensation
Awards under our stock-based compensation plans are calculated using a fair value based measurement method. Compensation expense for share based awards is recognized only for those awards that are expected to vest. We use the straight-line method to recognize share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period of the award. We recognize the excess tax benefit or tax deficiency resulting from the difference between the deduction we receive for tax purposes and the stock-based compensation expense we recognize for financial reporting purposes created when common stock vests, as an income tax benefit or expense in our Statement of Operations. See Note 9 for further discussion of our stock-based and other compensation plans.
Tax payments made on behalf of employees to taxing authorities in order to satisfy employee income tax withholding obligations from the vesting of shares under our stock-based compensation plans are classified as a financing activity in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows ("Statement of Cash Flows").
Assets Held for Sale
Assets held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. See Note 3 for further discussion of our assets held for sale.
Depreciation Expense
We depreciate property, plant and equipment on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from three to 25 years, absent any indicators of impairment. Ordinary maintenance and repairs, which do not extend the physical or economic lives of the plant or equipment, are charged to expense as incurred. See Note 4 for further discussion of our property, plant and equipment.
Long-Lived Assets
We review long-lived assets for impairment, which include property, plant and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets included within other assets, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If a recoverability assessment is required, the estimated future undiscounted cash flow associated with the assets or asset groups are compared to their respective carrying amounts to determine if an impairment exists. An impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset or asset group to its carrying amount and recording the excess of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group over its fair value as an impairment charge. An asset group constitutes the minimum level for which identifiable cash flows are principally independent of the cash flows of other assets or asset groups. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows, appraised values or third party indications of value, as appropriate. See Note 5 for further discussion of impairments recorded for our long-lived assets.
Fair Value Measurements
Our fair value determinations for financial assets and liabilities are based on the particular facts and circumstances. Financial instruments are required to be categorized within a valuation hierarchy based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the valuation hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 - inputs are based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
Level 2 - inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3 - inputs are based upon model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are generally not observable in the market and typically reflect estimates and assumptions that we believe market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These include discounted cash flow models and similar valuation techniques.

See Note 5 for additional discussion of our fair value measurements.

Revenue Recognition
General - Our revenue is derived from customer contracts and agreements that are awarded on a competitively bid and negotiated basis using a range of contracting options, including fixed-price, unit-rate and T&M. Our contracts primarily relate to the fabrication and construction of steel structures, modules and marine vessels, and project management services and other service arrangements.

We recognize revenue for our contracts in accordance with Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” ("Topic 606"), which was adopted by us on January 1, 2018, and supersedes previous revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. Accordingly, the reported results for 2018 reflect the application of Topic 606 guidance, while the comparable results for 2017 and 2016 were prepared under previous revenue recognition guidance. See further discussion of our adoption of Topic 606 below.

Topic 606 requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, provisions of Topic 606 specify which goods and services are distinct and represent separate performance obligations (representing the unit of account in Topic 606) within a contract and which goods and services (which could include multiple contracts or agreements) should be aggregated. In general, a performance obligation is a contractual obligation to construct and/or transfer a distinct good or service to a customer. The transaction price of a contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue for performance obligations satisfied over time are recognized as the work progresses. Revenue for performance obligations that do not meet the criteria for over time recognition are recognized at a point-in-time when a performance obligation is complete and a customer has obtained control of a promised asset.

Fixed-Price and Unit-Rate Contracts - Revenue for our fixed-price and unit-rate contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method (an input method), based on contract costs incurred to date compared to total estimated contract costs. Contract costs include direct costs, such as materials and labor, and indirect costs that are attributable to contract activity. Material costs that are significant to a contract and do not reflect an accurate measure of project completion are excluded from the determination of our contract progress. Revenue for such materials is only recognized to the extent of costs incurred. Prior to our adoption of Topic 606, revenue for our fixed-price and unit-rate contracts was recognized using the percentage-of-completion method, based on the percentage of direct labor hours incurred to date compared to total estimated direct labor hours, and revenue for materials was recognized only to the extent of costs incurred. Revenue and gross profit for contracts accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method can be significantly affected by changes in estimated cost to complete such contracts. Significant estimates impacting the cost to complete a contract include: costs of engineering, materials, components, equipment, labor and subcontracts; labor productivity; schedule durations, including subcontractor and supplier progress; contract disputes, including claims; achievement of contractual performance requirements; and contingency, among others. The cumulative impact of revisions in total cost estimates during the progress of work is reflected in the period in which these changes become known, including, to the extent required, the reversal of profit recognized in prior periods and the recognition of losses expected to be incurred on contracts. Due to the various estimates inherent in our contract accounting, actual results could differ from those estimates, which could result in material changes to our Financial Statements and related disclosures.

T&M Contracts - Revenue for our T&M contracts is recognized at contracted rates when the work is performed, the costs are incurred and collection is reasonably assured. Our T&M contracts provide for labor and materials to be billed at rates specified within the contract. The consideration from the customer directly corresponds to the value of our performance completed at the time of invoicing. Our current revenue recognition method for T&M contracts is consistent with the method used prior to adoption of Topic 606.

Variable Consideration - Revenue and gross profit for contracts can be significantly affected by variable consideration, which can be in the form of unapproved change orders, claims, incentives, and liquidated damages that may not be resolved until the later stages of the contract or after the contract has been completed and delivery occurs. We estimate variable consideration based on the amount we expect to be entitled and include estimated amounts in transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur or when we conclude that any significant uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. For 2018, 2017, and 2016, we had no material amounts in revenue related to unapproved change orders, claims, or incentives. However, at December 31, 2018 and 2017, certain projects in our Shipyard Division reflected a reduction to our estimated contract price for liquidated damages of $11.2 million and $11.7 million, respectively. The reductions in contract price were recorded during 2017.

Adoption of Topic 606 - As discussed above, on January 1, 2018 we adopted Topic 606. Our adoption of Topic 606 included a detailed review of our significant contracts that were not substantially complete as of January 1, 2018. Based on our review, we determined that Topic 606 did not impact the timing or method of revenue recognition for our T&M contracts. We also concluded that the continued use of the percentage-of-completion method was appropriate for our fixed-price and unit-rate contracts given ownership and control of the work transfers to our customers as the work is performed. Although our customers retain the right and ability to change, modify or discontinue further work at any stage of the project, in the event our customers discontinue work, they are required to compensate us for the work performed to date.

Prior to our adoption of Topic 606, our determination of percentage-of-completion for our contracts was based on the percentage of direct labor hours incurred to date compared to total estimated direct labor hours, and revenue for materials was recognized only to the extent of costs incurred. However, in our adoption of Topic 606, we adjusted our measure of progress for the determination of percentage-of-completion to include subcontract labor hours in addition to direct labor hours. The impact of this change was not material to our Financial Statements and no cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 was recorded (based on the application of the modified retrospective method under Topic 606).

During the fourth quarter 2018, we concluded that the use of labor hours for the determination of percentage-of-completion for our contracts was not appropriate based on the changing mix of our contracts, which include an increasing amount of engineered equipment, manufactured materials, and subcontracted services and materials. We further concluded that in our adoption of Topic 606 as of January 1, 2018, our determination of percentage-of-completion for our fixed-price and unit-rate contracts should have been based on total contract costs incurred to date compared to total estimated contact costs. We further concluded that material costs that are significant to a contract and do not reflect an accurate measure of project completion should be excluded from the determination of our contract progress, and revenue for such materials should only be recognized to the extent of costs incurred. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter 2018 we corrected our percentage-of-completion estimates for our fixed-price and unit-rate contracts to be based on total costs incurred to date compared to total estimated contract costs. As result of this correction, we reevaluated the required cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 for the adoption impact of Topic 606. Based on this evaluation, we determined that the cumulative effect adjustment would have been $0.4 million, which we do not believe is material to our Financial Statements for 2018. Accordingly, no cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 was recorded. We further evaluated the quarterly impacts to 2018 resulting from the correction during the fourth quarter 2018 and concluded that the impacts were not material to our quarterly Financial Statements.

Additional Disclosures - Topic 606 also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. See Note 2 for required disclosures under Topic 606.

Pre-contract Costs

Pre-contract costs are generally charged to cost of revenue as incurred, but in certain cases their recognition may be deferred if specific probability criteria are met. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had no deferred pre-contract costs.

Other (Income) Expense, Net

Other (income) expense, net, generally represents (gains) losses associated with the sale or disposition of property and equipment other than assets held for sale.

Income Taxes

Income taxes have been provided using the liability method. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Due to changing tax laws, significant judgment is required to estimate the effective tax rate expected to apply to tax differences that are expected to reverse in the future.

A valuation allowance is provided to reserve for deferred tax assets ("DTA(s)") if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the DTAs will not be realized. The realization of our DTAs depends on our ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character and in the appropriate jurisdictions.

Reserves for uncertain tax positions are recognized when we consider it more likely than not that additional tax will be due in excess of amounts reflected in our income tax returns, irrespective of whether or not we have received tax assessments. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are recorded within income tax expense. See Note 8 for further discussion of our income taxes and DTAs.

Reclassifications

We made the following reclassifications to prior periods presented in our Financial Statements to conform with our presentation for 2018 and at December 31, 2018:

Accrued contract losses of $7.6 million at December 31, 2017, were combined with contract liabilities on our Balance Sheet, and accrued contract losses was removed as a separate line item on our Balance Sheet.
Losses on the sale of assets held for sale of $0.3 million for 2017 were reclassified from other income (expense), net to asset impairments and (gain) loss on assets held for sale, net on our Statement of Operations
Increase in accrued contract losses of $7.2 million for 2017 and a decrease in accrued contract losses of $9.1 million for 2016, were combined with changes in contract liabilities on our Statement of Cash Flows, and changes in accrued contract losses was removed as a separate line item on our Statement of Cash Flows.

In addition to the above, other (income) expense, net on our Statement of Operations for 2017 and 2016 was previously presented as a separate line item outside of operating income (loss) but is now presented as a separate line item within operating income (loss).

New Accounting Standards

Revenue Recognition - In the first quarter 2018, we adopted Topic 606. See the "Revenue Recognition" section above and Note 2 for further discussion.

Leases - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which requires lessees to record most leases on their balance sheet but recognize expense in a manner similar to current guidance. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for us in the first quarter 2019. The new standard is required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Upon adoption, we will record a right of use asset and corresponding liability for our operating leases. We completed the evaluation of our significant lease contracts as of December 31, 2018 and expect adoption of this ASU will result in our recognition of a right of use asset and corresponding lease liability of approximately $4.0 million to $6.0 million as of January 1, 2019.

Financial instruments - In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which changes the way companies evaluate credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, short-term investments, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model to evaluate impairment, potentially resulting in earlier recognition of allowances for losses. The new standard also requires enhanced disclosures, including the requirement to disclose the information used to track credit quality by year of origination for most financing receivables. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for us in the first quarter 2020. Early adoption of the new standard is permitted; however, we have not elected to early adopt the standard. The new standard is required to be applied using a cumulative-effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-13 will have on our financial position, results of operations and related disclosures.