form10-q.htm

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
[X]
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2011.
 
or
 
[  ]
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the Transition Period from        to      .
      
 
 
Commission File Number: 001-14785
 

 
GSE SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
52-1868008
(State of incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


1332 Londontown Blvd., Suite 200, Sykesville, MD 21784
(Address of principal executive office and zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (410) 970-7800

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [ X ]   No [   ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [ X ]   No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  [  ]
Accelerated filer  [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]
Smaller reporting company [ X ]
   
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  [  ]  No [X]

There were 18,465,450 shares of common stock, with a par value of $.01 per share outstanding as of November 9, 2011.
 
 
1

 
GSE SYSTEMS, INC.
 
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
 
INDEX
 

 
   
PAGE
PART I.
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3
Item 1.
Financial Statements:
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
3
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010
4
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010
5
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
6
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended  September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010
7
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
20
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
32
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
33
 
PART II.
 
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
34
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
34
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
34
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
34
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
34
Item 4.
Removed and Reserved
35
Item 5.
Other Information
35
Item 6.
Exhibits
35
 
SIGNATURES
36
     

 

 
2

 
 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
           
Item 1.  Financial Statements
           
GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands, except share data)
 
   
Unaudited
       
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
ASSETS
 
Current assets:
           
    Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 17,658     $ 26,577  
    Restricted cash
    4,148       179  
    Contract receivables, net
    21,811       17,201  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    3,282       1,992  
       Total current assets
    46,899       45,949  
                 
Equipment and leasehold improvements
    5,209       4,727  
Accumulated depreciation
    (4,119 )     (3,667 )
    Equipment and leasehold improvements, net
    1,090       1,060  
                 
Software development costs, net
    1,750       1,790  
Goodwill
    4,472       2,609  
Intangible assets, net
    1,527       637  
Long-term restricted cash
    897       794  
Other assets
    1,436       775  
       Total assets
  $ 58,071     $ 53,614  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
               
    Accounts payable
  $ 3,412     $ 4,945  
    Accrued expenses
    1,922       1,753  
    Accrued compensation and payroll taxes
    2,388       2,053  
    Billings in excess of revenue earned
    5,102       4,268  
    Accrued warranty
    2,081       1,680  
    Other current liabilities
    2,561       1,210  
       Total current liabilities
    17,466       15,909  
                 
Other liabilities
    2,573       799  
       Total liabilities
    20,039       16,708  
Commitments and contingencies
    -       -  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock $.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized,  shares issued and
               
       outstanding none in 2011 and 2010
    -       -  
Common stock $.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued
               
       19,239,681 in 2011 and 19,171,855 in 2010
    192       192  
    Additional paid-in capital
    69,986       69,298  
    Accumulated deficit
    (30,237 )     (31,864 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (782 )     (720 )
    Treasury stock at cost, 521,400 shares in 2011, 0 in 2010
    (1,127 )     -  
       Total stockholders' equity
    38,032       36,906  
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 58,071     $ 53,614  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 

 
3

 

 
GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
(Unaudited)
 
                         
   
Three Months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Contract revenue
  $ 12,549     $ 11,904     $ 36,128     $ 34,886  
                                 
Cost of revenue
    7,931       9,503       24,278       25,691  
Gross profit
    4,618       2,401       11,850       9,195  
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
  Selling, general and administrative
    3,302       2,545       9,920       7,837  
  Depreciation
    137       146       365       418  
  Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets
    204       38       629       63  
Total operating expenses
    3,643       2,729       10,914       8,318  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    975       (328 )     936       877  
                                 
Interest income, net
    29       29       91       48  
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net
    (129 )     47       49       (631 )
Other income, net
    31       27       70       65  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    906       (225 )     1,146       359  
                                 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    48       323       (481 )     88  
Net income (loss)
  $ 858     $ (548 )   $ 1,627     $ 271  
                                 
                                 
Basic income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.05     $ (0.03 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.01  
                                 
Diluted income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.05     $ (0.03 )   $ 0.08     $ 0.01  
                                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 


 
4

 

GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
(in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 858     $ (548 )   $ 1,627     $ 271  
                                 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (378 )     570       (62 )     289  
                                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 480     $ 22     $ 1,565     $ 560  
                                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 



 
5

 

 GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  
 (in thousands)    
 (Unaudited)    
                                                 
                                                 
   
 
     
 
   
Accumulated
 
 
         
     Common      Additional          Other    Treasury          
   
Stock
   
Paid-in
   
Accumulated
 
Comprehensive
 
Stock
         
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Deficit
 
Loss
 
Shares
     Amount  
 
  Total    
Balance, December 31, 2010
    19,172     $ 192     $ 69,298     $ (31,864 )   $ (720 )     -     $ -      $ 36,906    
                                                                   
Stock-based compensation
                                                                 
           expense
    -       -       569       -       -       -       -       569    
Common stock issued for
                                                                 
           options exercised
    62       -       109       -       -       -       -       109    
Common stock issued for
                                                                 
           warrants exercised
    6       -       10       -       -       -       -       10    
Foreign currency translation
                                                           
           adjustment
    -       -       -       -       (62 )     -       -       (62 )  
Treasury stock purchased
    -       -       -       -       -       (521 )     (1,127 )     (1,127 )  
Net income
    -       -       -       1,627       -       -       -  
 
  1,627    
Balance, September 30, 2011
    19,240     $ 192     $ 69,986     $ (30,237 )   $ (782 )     (521 )   $ (1,127 )    $ 38,032    
                                                                   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
   


 
6

 
GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
Nine Months ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 1,627     $ 271  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
               
provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
    Depreciation
    365       418  
    Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets
    629       63  
    Capitalized software amortization
    612       452  
    Amortization of deferred financing costs
    -       29  
    Change in fair value of contingent consideration
    331       82  
    Stock-based compensation expense
    569       633  
    Equity loss on investment in GSE-UNIS Simulation Technology Co. Ltd.
    22       -  
    (Gain) loss on derivative instruments
    (49 )     631  
    Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
       Contract receivables
    (2,980 )     2,340  
       Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (1,359 )     (2,134 )
       Accounts payable, accrued compensation and accrued expenses
    (1,597 )     6,493  
       Billings in excess of revenue earned
    656       (23 )
       Accrued warranty reserves
    401       242  
       Other liabilities
    (844 )     (496 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (1,617 )     9,001  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
    Capital expenditures
    (370 )     (325 )
    Capitalized software development costs
    (572 )     (741 )
    Investment in GSE-UNIS Simulation Technology Co. Ltd.
    (456 )     -  
    Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (830 )     (542 )
    Restrictions of cash as collateral under letters of credit
    (5,171 )     -  
    Release of cash as collateral under letters of credit
    1,178       801  
    Drawdown of cash collateral on Emirates Simulation Academy, LLC line of credit
    (79 )     (163 )
    Proceeds from sale/leaseback transaction
    -       377  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (6,300 )     (593 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
    Deferred financing costs
    -       (82 )
    Treasury stock purchases
    (1,127 )     -  
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    119       74  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (1,008 )     (8 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    6       151  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (8,919 )     8,551  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    26,577       25,270  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 17,658     $ 33,821  
                 
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
               
    Non-cash financing activities
               
       Issuance of 122,617 shares of common stock to acquire TAS Holdings Ltd.
  $ -     $ 682  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
7

 
GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
(Unaudited)


1.  
Basis of Presentation and Revenue Recognition

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by GSE Systems, Inc. (the “Company” or “GSE”) without independent audit.  In the opinion of the Company's management, all adjustments and reclassifications of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented have been made.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted.  The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily an indication of the results for the full year.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2011.

The Company has only one reportable segment.  The Company has a wide range of knowledge of simulation systems and the processes those systems are intended to control and model.  The Company’s knowledge is concentrated heavily in simulation technology and model development.  The Company is primarily engaged in simulation for the power generation industry and the process industries.  Contracts typically range from twelve months to three years.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 financial statements as well as reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to revenue recognition, capitalization of software development costs, valuation of intangible assets acquired, contingent consideration issued in business acquisitions, and the recoverability of deferred tax assets.  Actual results could differ from these estimates and those differences could be material.
 

Revenue Recognition
 
The majority of the Company’s revenue is derived through the sale of uniquely designed systems containing hardware, software and other materials under fixed-price contracts.  Revenue under these fixed-price contracts is accounted for on the percentage-of-completion method. This methodology recognizes revenue and earnings as work progresses on the contract and is based on an estimate of the revenue and earnings earned to date, less amounts recognized in prior periods.  The Company bases its estimate of the degree of completion of the contract by reviewing the relationship of costs incurred to date to the expected total costs that will be incurred on the project. Estimated contract earnings are reviewed and revised periodically as the work progresses, and the cumulative effect of any change in estimate is recognized in the period in which the change is identified. Estimated losses are charged against earnings in the period such losses are identified.  The Company recognizes revenue arising from contract claims either as income or as an offset against a potential loss only when the amount of the claim can be estimated reliably and realization is probable and there is a legal basis for the claim.
 
Uncertainties inherent in the performance of contracts include labor availability and productivity, material costs, change order scope and pricing, software modification and customer acceptance issues.  The reliability of these cost estimates is critical to the Company’s revenue recognition as a significant change in the estimates can cause the Company’s revenue and related margins to change significantly from the amounts estimated in the early stages of the project.
 
 
8

 
As the Company recognizes revenue under the percentage-of-completion method, it provides an accrual for estimated future warranty costs based on historical experience and projected claims.  The Company’s long-term contracts generally provide for a one-year warranty on parts, labor and any bug fixes as it relates to software embedded in the systems.
 
The Company’s system design contracts do not normally provide for “post customer support service” (“PCS”) in terms of software upgrades, software enhancements or telephone support.  In order to obtain PCS, the customers must normally purchase a separate contract.  Such PCS arrangements are generally for a one-year period renewable annually and include customer support, unspecified software upgrades, and maintenance releases.  The Company recognizes revenue from these contracts ratably over the life of the agreements.
 
Revenue from the sale of software licenses which do not require significant modifications or customization for the Company’s modeling tools are recognized when the license agreement is signed, the license fee is fixed and determinable, delivery has occurred, and collection is considered probable.
 
Revenue from certain consulting or training contracts is recognized on a time-and-material basis.  For time-and-material type contracts, revenue is recognized based on hours incurred at a contracted labor rate plus expenses.
 
The following customers have provided more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the indicated periods:


               
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
               
September 30,
 
September 30,
               
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Slovenské elektrárne, a.s.
12.5%
 
30.2%
 
12.3%
 
23.3%
Emerson Process Management
7.7%
 
9.9%
 
8.6%
 
11.8%


2.  
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 

On January 1, 2011 the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Multiple-Deliverable Arrangements.  ASU 2009-13 amends the guidance that in the absence of vendor-specific objective and third-party evidence for deliverables in multiple-deliverable arrangements, companies will be required to develop a best estimate of the selling price to separate deliverables and allocate arrangements consideration using the relative selling price method.  ASU 2009-13 expands the disclosure requirements for multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements.  The adoption of ASU 2009-13 has not had a material impact on the financial statements.
 
On January 1, 2011 the Company adopted ASU 2009-14, Software (Topic 985), Certain Revenue Arrangements that Include Software Elements.  ASU 2009-14 amends the guidance to exclude from the scope of software revenue accounting requirements tangible products if the product contains both software and non-software components that function together to deliver a product’s essential functionality and factors to consider in determining whether a product is within the scope of the guidance.  The adoption of ASU 2009-14 has not had a material impact on the financial statements.
 

 

 
9

 

3.
Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic income (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of outstanding common shares for the period. Diluted income (loss) per share adjusts the weighted average shares outstanding for the potential dilution that could occur if stock options or warrants were exercised into common stock. The number of common shares and common share equivalents used in the determination of basic and diluted income (loss) per share were as follows:
 
(in thousands, except for share amounts)
 
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Numerator:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 858     $ (548 )   $ 1,627     $ 271  
                                 
                                 
Denominator:
                               
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic
                               
earnings per share
    18,879,757       18,947,752       19,101,284       18,955,356  
                                 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Employee stock options and warrants
    112,841       -       202,913       552,568  
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding
                               
and assumed conversions for diluted
                               
earnings per share
    18,992,598       18,947,752       19,304,197       19,507,924  
                                 
                                 
Shares related to dilutive securities excluded
                               
because inclusion would be anti-dilutive
    1,573,896       1,685,195       1,544,504       1,197,431  


4.  
Acquisition
 
EnVision Systems, Inc.

    On January 4, 2011, (the “Closing Date”) the Company completed the acquisition of all outstanding common stock of EnVision Systems, Inc. (“EnVision”), acquiring 100% ownership in EnVision.  EnVision is headquartered in Madison, NJ and has an office in Chennai, India.  EnVision’s tutorials and simulation models serve the rapidly growing entry-level training market for the oil & gas, refining, and specialty chemicals industries.  EnVision operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSE and has been re-named GSE Envision, Inc.  On the Closing Date, GSE paid $1.2 million in cash to the shareholders of EnVision. In addition, if EnVision attains certain revenue targets for the four year period ending December 31, 2014, the shareholders of EnVision could receive up to an additional $3.0 million payable over four years.

    On the first anniversary of the Closing Date, the EnVision shareholders are entitled to receive $550,000.  On the second, third and fourth anniversaries, EnVision shareholders are entitled to receive $500,000.  These payments are contingent upon EnVision meeting or exceeding certain revenue targets during those periods, as defined in the purchase agreement. The EnVision shareholders are also entitled to the amount by which the aggregate payments received by the Company from Shell Global Solutions International, B.V. (“Shell”) after the Closing Date and prior to March 31, 2014 exceed $3.0 million, provided that the amount payable to the EnVision shareholders will not exceed $1.0 million.

 
10

 
    EnVision’s shareholders are entitled to receive an amount equal to 30% of the cash collected prior to March 31, 2013 from the billed receivables which were included on the Closing Date balance sheet related to Shell.  Seventy percent of the cash collected prior to March 31, 2013 relating to the recoverable costs and accrued profit not billed amounts which appear on the Closing Date balance sheet will be paid to the EnVision shareholders.  Payments to the EnVision shareholders for cash collections relating to the billed receivables and recoverable costs and accrued profit not billed amounts will occur in three yearly payments ending in 2013.  EnVision shareholders could receive up to approximately $687,000 of the trade receivables and recoverable costs and accrued profit not billed amounts included on the Closing Date balance sheet, contingent on the collection of cash.  In the second quarter of 2011, the Company made payments of $74,000 to EnVision’s shareholders related to billed receivables included on the Closing Date balance sheet.  

At Closing, the EnVision shareholders were entitled to receive all the cash of the business except for $400,000.  Additionally, the EnVision shareholders were credited for any prepaid expenses and assumed any existing liabilities from the Closing Date balance sheet.  Based on the Closing Date balance sheet, a $109,000 payment was made to the EnVision shareholders in the second quarter of 2011.

Of the $4.0 million gross purchase price, the Company accrued approximately $2.0 million of contingent consideration based on its estimate of the fair value of the potential contingent consideration payable to the EnVision shareholders for the four year period ending December 31, 2014.  The Company will estimate the fair value of the recorded amount of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis and any subsequent adjustments based on actual payments or revised estimates are recognized in the selling, general, and administrative expenses of the consolidated statement of operations during the period of adjustment.  The contingent consideration is valued using significant inputs that are not observable in the market which are defined as Level 3 inputs pursuant to fair value measurement accounting.

The estimated fair value of the purchase price recorded by the Company consisted of the following (in thousands):

 
Cash paid at closing
  $ 1,200  
Present value of estimated future payments
    1,998  
Payable to EnVision Shareholders - contracts receivable
    687  
Working capital retained by EnVision Shareholders - cash
    109  
Total estimated purchase price
  $ 3,994  

 
11

 

The Company’s purchase price allocation for the net assets acquired was as follows (in thousands):

 
January 4, 2011
 
(unaudited)
 
         
Cash
    $ 553  
Contract receivables
    1,124  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    62  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    22  
Receivable from EnVision shareholders
    321  
Intangible assets
      1,509  
Goodwill
      1,854  
 
Total assets acquired
  $ 5,445  
           
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 429  
Billings in excess of revenue earned
    46  
Deferred tax liability
    976  
 
Total liabilities assumed
  $ 1,451  
           
 
Net assets acquired
  $ 3,994  

        The Company recorded intangible assets as a result of the acquisition, which included $871,000 relating to contractual and non-contractual customer relationships. Contractual customer relationships acquired totaled $438,000 and are being amortized in proportion to the projected revenue streams of the related contracts over three years. Non-contractual customer relationships acquired totaled $433,000 and are being amortized in proportion to the projected revenue streams of the related relationships over eight years. The Company acquired intangible assets of $471,000 related to developed technology which are being amortized using the straight line method over an eight year period.  The Company also acquired $152,000 of in-process research and development intangible assets which are being amortized over eight years in proportion to the projected revenue streams of the related in-process research and development.  Additionally, $15,000 related to domain names and other marketing related intangibles were obtained and are being amortized using the straight line method over an estimated useful life of three years. The intangible assets and accrued contingent consideration for EnVision were recorded at estimated fair value.

EnVision’s results of operations are included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning January 4, 2011.

Pro forma results.  Our consolidated financial statements include the operating results of EnVision as of the date of acquisition.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the unaudited pro forma financial information below assumes that our material business acquisition of EnVision occurred on January 1, 2010.

 
(in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months ended
 
Nine Months ended
 
 
September 30,
      September 30,  
Pro forma financial information including the acquisition of EnVision
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Revenue
12,549     $ 12,703     $ 36,128     $ 37,283  
Operating income (loss)
   1,245       (74 )     1,330       1,199  
Net income (loss)
   1,128       (171 )     2,021       602  
Earnings (loss) per common share — basic
0.06     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.11     $ 0.03  
Earnings (loss) per common share — basic
0.06     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.10     $ 0.03  
 
 
12

 
 
5.  
Contract Receivables
 
Contract receivables represent balances due from a broad base of both domestic and international customers.  All contract receivables are considered to be collectible within twelve months. Recoverable costs and accrued profit not billed represent costs incurred and associated profit accrued on contracts that will become billable upon future milestones or completion of contracts.  The components of contract receivables are as follows:


(in thousands)
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Billed receivables
  $ 9,343     $ 7,733  
Recoverable costs and accrued profit not billed
    12,834       11,508  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (366 )     (2,040 )
Total contract receivables, net
  $ 21,811     $ 17,201  

Recoverable costs and accrued profit not billed totaled $12.8 million and $11.5 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  During October 2011, the Company invoiced $4.2 million of the unbilled amounts; the balance of the September 30, 2011 unbilled amounts is expected to be invoiced and collected within one year.  In October 2011, the Company collected 53% of the September 30, 2011 billed receivables; the balance of the net billed receivables is expected to be collected within one year.

During the first quarter of 2011, the Company wrote off $1.6 million of billed receivables related to the Emirates Simulation Academy LLC that had been fully reserved as of December 31, 2010.

The following customers account for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated contract receivables for the indicated periods:

         
September 30,
 
December 31,
         
2011
 
2010
Slovenské elektrárne, a.s.
   
30.8%
 
12.1%
Genden Information System Co.
   
12.8%
 
7.1%
British Energy Generation Ltd.
   
0.0%
 
10.9%

 
13

 


6.  
Software Development Costs

Certain computer software development costs are capitalized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  Capitalization of computer software development costs begins upon the establishment of technological feasibility.  Capitalization ceases and amortization of capitalized costs begins when the software product is commercially available for general release to customers.  Amortization of capitalized computer software development costs is included in cost of revenue and is determined using the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic life of the product, typically three years.

Software development costs capitalized were $186,000 and $572,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $266,000 and $741,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. Total amortization expense was $218,000 and $612,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $170,000 and $452,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.


7.  
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)  820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The levels of the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820 are:

Level 1:  inputs are quoted prices, unadjusted, in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2:  inputs are other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  A Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3:  inputs are unobservable and reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company considers the recorded value of certain of its financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable, to approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 based upon the short-term nature of the assets and liabilities. The Company values goodwill, intangible assets, and contingent consideration using significant inputs which are not observable in the market which are defined as Level 3 inputs pursuant to fair value measurement accounting.

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 the Company had approximately $163,000 and $17.0 million, respectively, deposited in a money market account with Bank of America.

 
14

 

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value at September 30, 2011:
 
   
Quoted Prices
   
Significant
             
   
in Active
   
Other
   
Significant
       
   
Markets for
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
       
   
Identical Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
       
(in thousands)
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
                         
                         
                         
Money market fund
$ 163     $ -     $ -     $ 163  
Certificates of deposit
  4,852       -       -       4,852  
Foreign exchange contracts
  -       457       -       457  
                                 
 
Total assets
$ 5,015     $ 457     $ -     $ 5,472  
                                 
Foreign exchange contracts
$ -     $ (637 )   $ -     $ (637 )
                                 
 
Total liabilities
$ -     $ (637 )   $ -     $ (637 )

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2010:

   
Quoted Prices
   
Significant
             
   
in Active
   
Other
   
Significant
       
   
Markets for
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
       
   
Identical Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
       
(in thousands)
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
                         
                         
                         
Money market fund
$ 17,017     $ -     $ -     $ 17,017  
Certificates of deposit
  779       -       -       779  
Foreign exchange contracts
  -       325       -       325  
                                 
 
Total assets
$ 17,796     $ 325     $ -     $ 18,121  
                                 
Foreign exchange contracts
$ -     $ (244 )   $ -     $ (244 )
                                 
 
Total liabilities
$ -     $ (244 )   $ -     $ (244 )


 
15

 

8.  
Derivative Instruments
 
The Company utilizes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage market risks associated with the fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. It is the Company's policy to use such derivative financial instruments to protect against market risk arising in the normal course of business in order to reduce the impact of these exposures. The Company minimizes credit exposure by limiting counterparties to nationally recognized financial institutions.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Company had foreign exchange contracts outstanding of approximately 2.3 million Pounds Sterling, 17.0 million Euro, and 682.9 million Japanese Yen at fixed rates.  The contracts expire on various dates through February 2014.  At December 31, 2010, the Company had contracts outstanding of approximately 1.6 million Pounds Sterling, 10.6 million Euro, and 865.2 million Japanese Yen at fixed rates. The Company has not designated any of the foreign exchange contracts outstanding as hedges and has recorded the estimated fair value of the contracts in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
 

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Asset derivatives
           
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  $ 452     $ 208  
Other assets
    5       117  
      457       325  
Liability derivatives
               
Other current liabilities
    (632 )     (204 )
Other liabilities
    (5 )     (40 )
      (637 )     (244 )
                 
Net fair value
  $ (180 )   $ 81  


The changes in the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts are included in net gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
The foreign currency denominated contract receivables, billings in excess of revenue earned and subcontractor accruals that are related to the outstanding foreign exchange contracts are remeasured at the end of each period into the functional currency using the current exchange rate at the end of the period.  The gain or loss resulting from such remeasurement is also included in net gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations.
 

 
16

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized a net gain (loss) on its derivative instruments as outlined below:
 

   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Foreign exchange contracts- change in
                   
     fair value
  $ (143 )   $ (412 )   $ (298 )   $ (470 )
Remeasurement of related contract
                               
     receivables, billings in excess of
                               
     revenue earned, and subcontractor
                               
     accruals
    14       459       347       (161 )
                                 
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net
  $ (129 )   $ 47     $ 49     $ (631 )
 

9.  
Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all equity-based compensation awards issued to employees, directors and non-employees that are expected to vest.  Compensation cost is based on the fair value of awards as of the grant date.   The Company recognized $183,000 and $210,000 of pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, under the fair value method and recognized $569,000 and $633,000 of pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The Company granted 60,000 and 102,000 stock options in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The Company granted 60,000 stock options in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.


10.  
Long-Term Debt

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had no long-term debt.
 

Lines of Credit

At December 31, 2010, the Company had two separate revolving credit agreements for revolving lines of credit with Bank of America (“BOA”) which were to expire on May 31, 2012.  The Company and its subsidiary, GSE Power Systems, Inc., were jointly and severally liable as co-borrowers.  The credit facilities enabled the Company to borrow funds to support working capital needs and standby letters of credit.  The first line of credit which was in the principal amount of up to $3.5 million was amended on March 29, 2010 to increase the principal amount to $5.0 million, but was terminated on March 14, 2011 (see below).  The second line of credit was in the principal amount of up to $2.5 million. This line of credit enabled the Company to borrow funds up to 80% of domestic accounts receivable, 30% of domestic unbilled receivables and 100% of the principal balance of a $600,000 certificate of deposit issued by BOA and was amended on March 14, 2011 (see below).  The interest rate on this line of credit was based on the daily LIBOR rate plus 225 basis points, with interest only payments due monthly. The credit agreements contained certain restrictive covenants regarding future acquisitions, incurrence of debt and the payment of dividends.  In addition, both credit agreements contained financial covenants with respect to the Company’s minimum tangible net worth, debt service coverage ratio, and funded debt to EBITDA ratio. At December 31, 2010, the Company was in default of the funded debt to EBITDA ratio.
 
 
17

 
Due to the Company’s financial covenant default as of December 31, 2010, BOA made the following amendments to the Company’s revolving credit agreements effective March 14, 2011:
 
 
·  
A written waiver was granted for the funded debt to EBITDA ratio default.
 
·  
The $5.0 million principal line of credit was terminated.
 
·  
The financial covenants for the $2.5 million principal line of credit were deleted.  Going forward, there are no financial covenants.
 
·  
The Company was required to cash collateralize all outstanding standby letters of credit.
 
·  
All future letters of credit issued by BOA must be cash collateralized.
 
·  
Borrowings under the line of credit must be cash collateralized.  Currently the Company has in place a $600,000 certificate of deposit as collateral for the line of credit.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company was contingently liable for eight standby letters of credit and two surety bonds totaling $5.4 million which represent performance and bid bonds on ten contracts.  The Company has deposited the full value of eight of the standby letters of credit in certificates of deposit ($4.3 million) which have been restricted in that the Company does not have access to these funds until the related letters of credit have expired.  The cash has been recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at September 30, 2011 as restricted cash.


11.  
Product Warranty

As the Company recognizes revenue under the percentage-of-completion method, it provides an accrual for estimated future warranty costs based on historical experience and projected claims.  The activity in the warranty account is as follows:

 
(in thousands)
 
   
Balance at December 31, 2010
 $   1,680
Warranty provision
         740
Warranty claims
       (331)
Currency adjustment
           (8)
Balance at September 30, 2011
 $   2,081

12.  
Income Taxes
 
The Company files in the United States federal jurisdiction and in several state and foreign jurisdictions. Because of the net operating loss carryforwards, the Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations from years 1997 forward and is subject to foreign tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2004 and forward. Open tax years related to state and foreign jurisdictions remain subject to examination but are not considered material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
An uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense.
 
 
18

 
The Company, through its acquisition of EnVision on January 4, 2011, recognized deferred tax liabilities of $1.0 million.  As a result of this acquisition, in accordance with ASC-805 Business Combinations, the Company reduced the valuation allowance on its U.S. net deferred tax assets and recognized the change in the valuation allowance ($1.0 million) through the income tax provision.
 
The Company, through its acquisition of EnVision on January 4, 2011, also recorded $320,000 of unrecognized tax benefits as well as a receivable from the EnVision shareholders for the same amount as indemnity for this tax position.  The Company does not expect any material changes to its uncertain tax positions in the next twelve months.

The Company expects to pay income taxes in Sweden, India, China and England in 2011.  In addition, the Company will pay foreign income tax withholding on several non-U.S. contracts.  The Company has a full valuation allowance on its U.S. and Scottish net deferred tax assets at September 30, 2011.
 
 
13.  
Preferred Stock Rights
 
On March 21, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend, payable to holders of record as of the close of business on April 1, 2011, of one preferred stock purchase right (a Right) for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the Common Stock).  In addition, the Company will issue one Right with each new share of Common Stock issued.  In connection therewith, on March 21, 2011, the Company entered into a Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (as amended from time to time, the Rights Agreement) with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, which has a term of three years, unless amended by the Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement.  Upon approval of both an independent committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors, the Rights Plan can be extended for up to three years.  The Rights will initially trade with and be inseparable from the Common Stock and will not be evidenced by separate certificates unless they become exercisable.  Each Right entitles its holder to purchase from the Company one-hundredth of a share of participating preferred stock having economic and voting terms similar to the Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per Right, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement, once the Rights become exercisable.  Under the Rights Agreement, the Rights become exercisable if any person or group acquires 20% or more of the Common Stock or, in the case of any person or group that owned 20% or more of the Common Stock as of March 21, 2011, upon the acquisition of any additional shares by such person or group.  The Company, its subsidiaries, employee benefit plans of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any entity holding Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan are excepted.  Upon exercise of the Right in accordance with the Rights Agreement, the holder would be able to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock from the Company having an aggregate market price (as defined in the Rights Agreement) equal to twice the then-current exercise price for an amount in cash equal to the then-current exercise price.  In addition, the Company may, in certain circumstances and pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement, exchange the Rights for one share of Common Stock or an equivalent security for each Right or, alternatively, redeem the Rights for $0.001 per Right.  The Rights will not prevent a takeover of our Company, but may cause substantial dilution to a person that acquires 20% or more of the Company’s Common Stock.
 
14.
Share Repurchase Plan
 
On March 21, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $3.0 million of the Company’s common stock in accordance with the safe harbor provisions of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company repurchased 370,519 and 521,400 shares, respectively at an aggregate cost of $792,000 and $1.1 million, respectively.
 
15.
Subsequent Event
 
During the period October 1, 2011 through November 4, 2011, the Company repurchased an additional 233,249 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $391,000. These purchases were made in accordance with the provisions of the share repurchase plan as authorized by the Board of Directors on March 21, 2011. As of November 4, 2011 the Company has repurchased a total of 754,649 shares at an aggregate cost of $1.5 million.

 
19

 
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

GSE Systems, Inc. (“GSE Systems”, “GSE” or the “Company”) is a world leader in real-time high fidelity simulation.  The Company provides simulation and educational solutions and services to the nuclear and fossil electric utility industry, and the chemical and petrochemical industries.  

GSE is the parent company of:
¨  
GSE Power Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
¨  
GSE Power Systems, AB, a Swedish corporation;
¨  
GSE Engineering Systems (Beijing) Co. Ltd., a Chinese limited liability company;
¨  
GSE Systems, Ltd., a Scottish limited liability company;
¨  
TAS Engineering Consultants Ltd., an English limited liability company;
¨  
GSE EnVision, Inc., a New Jersey corporation; and
¨  
EnVision Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., an Indian limited liability company.
 
The Company has a 49% minority interest in GSE-UNIS Simulation Technology Co., Ltd., a Chinese limited liability company and has a 10% minority interest in Emirates Simulation Academy, LLC, a United Arab Emirates limited liability company. The Company has only one reportable segment.
 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results.  We use words such as “expects”, “intends”, “believes”, “may”, “will” and “anticipates” to indicate forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those factors set forth under Item 1A - Risk Factors of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and those other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company’s periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution that these risk factors may not be exhaustive.  We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time.  We cannot predict these new risk factors, nor can we assess the effect, if any, of the new risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
 
If any one or more of these expectations and assumptions proves incorrect, actual results will likely differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Even if all of the foregoing assumptions and expectations prove correct, actual results may still differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements as a result of factors we may not anticipate or that may be beyond our control. While we cannot assess the future impact that any of these differences could have on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows or the market price of shares of our common stock, the differences could be significant. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this report.


 
20

 

General Business Environment

GSE Systems, Inc. is a world leader in simulation technology and services for the energy industry.  We have a dominant 60% world-wide market share in the nuclear simulation industry, and we have leveraged our nuclear-grade simulation capabilities in the non-nuclear energy fields of fossil power generation, oil & gas refining, and chemical/petrochemical processing.
 
The continued dramatic increase in global energy demand is well documented and, we believe, will continue to grow for decades to come.  Government and industry sources and trade journals report that up to 252 new nuclear plants could be built worldwide over the next 20 years.  Currently, there are over 60 plants under construction in 15 countries.  In the U.S. some 16 companies and consortia are considering building 30 nuclear power plants.  The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”) is actively reviewing 13 combined construction and operating license applications from 12 companies and consortia for 22 nuclear power reactors.  Each new plant will be required to have a full scope simulator ready for operator training and certification about two years prior to fuel loading.  According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, as many as 65 countries with no current nuclear power capability have announced considerations to add nuclear energy to their power generation capabilities (21 in Asia-Pacific, 21 in Africa, 12 in Europe, and 11 in Latin America).  With our leading market share, excellent reputation, and world-class technology, GSE is poised to capitalize on the world-wide nuclear energy growth by providing training and simulation solutions.
 
On September 21, 2011 the Company announced that it has been selected to provide a real-time, high-fidelity engineering simulator for the B&W mPower™ Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design. The simulator will be used as a platform for validation of plant system designs and the development of control and logic strategies, and serve as a key part of the human factors engineering program. Generation mPower LLC is working to fully develop and deploy the B&W mPower™ reactor technology. The reactor is a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK), scalable, modular, passively safe, advanced light water system. The B&W mPower™ reactor is being designed to provide 160 MWe of clean, zero-emissions energy for four years of operation without refueling. The agreement with B&W solidifies the Company’s position as the industry leader in providing high-fidelity engineering simulation for FOAK reactor designs. The flexible platform helps mitigate risk by allowing customers to verify and validate systems and processes at the design stage, when changes can be made more easily and cost-effectively than during plant construction. The Company and B&W will work together beyond this initial phase to expand the scope of the simulator and synchronize throughout the design process. The Company views the application of our high-fidelity simulation in the engineering phase as a natural, and increasingly necessary, extension of its use in existing nuclear and non-nuclear energy facilities. This agreement represents the Company's ongoing efforts to diversify its business model, and leverage the Company’s benchmark technical and human assets.
 
 
21

 
 
On March 11, 2011 a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami occurred along the northeast coast of Japan. The Fukushima Daiichi I Nuclear Power Plant, which is maintained by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), was crippled by a tsunami estimated at 46 feet, nearly 2.5 times the height of the 19 foot seawall protecting the plant. The reactors shut down automatically after the earthquake, with emergency generators providing power to the facility’s electronics and cooling systems. However, the flooding was too severe and caused a power failure inside the facility that prevented the cooling systems from working, thus leading to overheating and a partial core meltdown.
 
Most countries with nuclear programs have reacted to the Fukushima disaster by announcing the delay of new nuclear plants while they conduct reviews of their programs. On March 23, 2011, the NRC issued a Temporary Instruction (“TI”) regarding a special NRC inspection to all holders of operating licenses for nuclear reactors. The objective of the TI was to independently assess the adequacy of actions taken by the U.S. Nuclear licensees in response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident and will be used to evaluate the industry’s readiness for a similar event and to aid in determining whether additional regulatory actions by the NRC are warranted.
 
In Japan, new Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, spoke in September 2011, at a meeting on nuclear safety and security at the United Nations General Assembly, of Japan's continuing need for nuclear energy while raising the safety of nuclear plants to the highest level.  Mr. Noda has also stated that he is determined to restart the country's idle reactors by the summer of 2012.  At September 30, 2011, GSE’s Swedish subsidiary had two significant projects in progress in Japan with a backlog of $5.0 million.   Neither of these projects have been delayed or affected by the Fukushima disaster.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, revenue recognized on projects with Japanese customers totaled 9.7% and 11.9%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue.
 
The German government announced in May 2011 that they would phase out all of the country’s nuclear power plants by 2022. The country’s seven oldest reactors, which were taken offline for a safety review immediately after the Japanese crisis, have been permanently shutdown. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, KSG Kraftwerks-simulator Gmbh provided 9.9% and 9.4% of the Company’s consolidated revenue. We have been informed by KSG, who provides training services for the German electric utilities and has 13 specific full scope simulators for 17 German nuclear power plants, due to the phasing out of the country’s nuclear power plants, that GSE should not anticipate any additional significant orders for simulator upgrades from KSG beginning in 2012. At September 30, 2011, the Company has backlog of approximately $2.2 million related to KSG projects. We have been informed by KSG that these projects will be completed as scheduled.
 
Previous nuclear accidents have resulted in new regulations requiring additional operator training, higher fidelity models and new testing scenarios. Accordingly, it is likely that additional governmental regulations enacted in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear accident will result in the requirement for plant modifications and new testing scenarios that will result in the need for higher simulator fidelity, such as that designed and supplied by GSE. GSE has developed MAAP-HD™, an engineering-grade nuclear simulation solution that allows operations personnel to train for and develop responses to severe accident scenarios based on the operations of their specific facility. MAAP-HD’s real-time code can be integrated with a nuclear plant’s existing full-scope training simulator and is applicable to all current nuclear plant designs. MAAP-HD can be used to validate the utility’s severe accident management guidelines, demonstrate the safety of current plant designs to regulators and stakeholders, and identify potential issues with existing plant design that may require modification. MAAP-HD includes high-fidelity models of the plant’s reactor core, containment structures and spent fuel pool. The models simulate severe accident conditions which mirror those that occurred at the Fukushima facility, such as the release of radioactive materials due to overheating of the core, exposure of the fuel rods in the spent fuel pool, and hydrogen build up in the containment building.
 
 
22

 
 
In order to meet the world’s needs, all forms of energy will play a part, not just nuclear power.  As of 2008, only 14% of the world’s power was nuclear, while thermal energy (solids, liquids, gases, biomass and waste) accounted for 67%, hydro energy was approximately 18%, and renewable energy was less than 2%.  For more than three decades, GSE has leveraged the simulation capability that we developed for nuclear power for non-nuclear projects.  Globally we have delivered 121 fossil power plant simulators and 96 process industry simulators.
 
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, world energy consumption will increase by 49% from 495 quadrillion BTU in 2007 to 739 quadrillion BTU in 2035.  New consumption means new production, which means new plants, new workers, and an enormous amount of training to provide a skilled workforce.  GSE recognized this growing need for energy industry training several years ago and began developing various training solutions leveraging the use of our simulation technology.  GSE created a 163 module, five-simulator training course that was sold to the Emirates Simulation Academy LLC, in the UAE, a training academy that was created by GSE and two other partners in 2007. The Company worked with the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland to incorporate GSE’s simulation into the University’s degreed and industrial education programs.  GSE developed a 20-week “Nuclear Operator Jump Start Training Program” for Southern Nuclear Company in Augusta, GA utilizing the Company’s VPanel™ interactive visual training simulator.  The advantage of the VPanel™ simulator is its scalability and ease of configuration for both team and individual training, plant specific or cross training.  The VPanel™ allows customers to utilize their existing simulator load while bringing many full scope simulator capabilities directly into the classroom for a fraction of the cost.  The “Operator Jump Start” program helps customers screen and train new operator candidates.  This training program is designed to provide essential knowledge and skills to potential nuclear plant operators and to determine if candidates have the ability to successfully complete the customer’s own operator licensing programs.  The program includes instruction on fundamental sciences (including Generic Fundamentals Examinations “GFES”), plant systems and operations.  To date, 100% of students completing GSE’s Operator Jump Start program have passed the NRC GFES exam.

 
23

 
In order to expand its simulation-based training programs, on January 4, 2011, GSE acquired EnVision Systems, Inc., subsequently renamed GSE-EnVision Inc., which provides interactive multi-media tutorials and simulation models, primarily to the petrochemical and oil & gas refining industries.  EnVision’s products provide a foundation in process fundamentals, as well as plant operations and interaction.  This acquisition gives GSE a tiered offering when it comes to simulation, as well as a large library of training content in multiple languages.  GSE-EnVision is a product-oriented business model with typically higher margins then our core business.
 
A compounding problem is facing the energy industry.  While experiencing rapid growth requiring new plants and new workers, the incumbent industry workforce is aging and facing dramatic turnover.  According to the NRC, the average nuclear plant worker is 50 years old, and 42% of the current workforce is expected to be replaced over the next five years due to attrition and retirement.  While the data is readily available in the nuclear industry because it is so heavily regulated, similar demographics exist in the fossil, oil & gas, chemical and petrochemical industries.  While this issue has been looming for some time, the impact has been somewhat delayed due to the recent global economic downturn.  Some employees that were planning on retiring in the near future saw their savings significantly reduced and were forced to postpone their retirements.  Accordingly, the Company anticipates that in the near future, a larger number of employees are likely to retire within a shorter time span and the need to find qualified employees to replace them will become an acute issue.
 
Except for some insightful early adopters, many companies tend to put off spending on training until they absolutely have to or they are in trouble.  Often it is viewed as a cost rather than an investment, and aside from travel, it is one of the first things to be cut during economic downturns.  However, the statistics associated with new plant builds and the aging workforce are undeniable, and training will be required to supply the skilled employees that will be needed to staff the new plants and replace the retirees.  Therefore, when the energy industry recognizes the need to train, they will want training that is faster and better than what is traditionally available.  Additionally, they will have to consider the nature of the next generation workforce who has grown up with a computer and vast amounts of interactive multimedia.  Standard classroom training will not provide the efficacy that will be needed nor satisfy the interest level of the new workforce.
 
In fact, according to the NTL Institute’s statistics on learner retention only 5% of information is retained from lecture, and only 10% from reading.  However, 75% retention is accomplished when learners practice by doing.  These statistics support GSE’s success with the Nuclear Operator Jump Start Training Program at Southern Nuclear Company, as our design combines traditional instructor-led classroom training with structured simulator exercises supporting the concepts learned.  This model is transportable globally to anywhere a new energy workforce is needed.
 
Case studies demonstrate that the inclusion of “serious gaming” technology such as immersive 3D environments can reduce training time and improve learning significantly.  In fact, the Royal Canadian Army was able to reduce the cost of training and increase the pass rate of students by incorporating gaming into the curriculum.  Due to the advancement of computer processing power and graphics technology, immersive commercially viable off-the-shelf 3D game engines are readily available.  Additionally, this style of learning also lends itself to the next generation workforce, and as such GSE is investing significantly in 3D visualization.  This investment comes in the form of strategic hires, investment in technology, and software product development.  Through development efforts already undertaken, GSE’s engineers have discovered how to link our industry-leading, high fidelity models to commercially off-the-shelf game engines.  This enables us to make the invisible visible, for example seeing the inside of an operating reactor, steam generator, or turbine generator.  Blending the learning strategy by incorporating 3D visualization interfacing high fidelity real time simulation models will allow GSE to provide the energy industry with better, faster, less costly training ideally suited for the next generation workforce.  We received our first 3D visualization order in July 2011 and expect modest revenue from 3D visualization sales in 2011.  However, we anticipate 3D visualization revenue to scale dramatically over the coming years.

 
 
24

 

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the results of operations for the periods presented expressed in thousands of dollars and as a percentage of revenue:


(in thousands)
Three Months ended September, 30
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2011
 
%
 
2010
 
%
 
2011
 
%
 
2010
 
%
Contract revenue
 $ 12,549
 
100.0 %
 
 $ 11,904
 
100.0 %
 
 $ 36,128
 
100.0 %
 
 $ 34,886
 
100.0 %
Cost of revenue
      7,931
 
63.2 %
 
      9,503
 
79.8 %
 
    24,278
 
67.2 %
 
    25,691
 
73.6 %
 
                               
Gross profit
      4,618
 
36.8 %
 
      2,401
 
20.2 %
 
    11,850
 
32.8 %
 
      9,195
 
26.4 %
Operating expenses:
                             
 
Selling, general and
                             
 
       administrative
      3,302
 
26.3 %
 
      2,545
 
21.4 %
 
      9,920
 
27.5 %
 
      7,837
 
22.4 %
 
Depreciation
         137
 
1.1 %
 
         146
 
1.2 %
 
         365
 
1.0 %
 
         418
 
1.2 %
 
Amortization of definited-lived
                             
 
       intangible assets
         204
 
1.6 %
 
           38
 
0.3 %
 
         629
 
1.7 %
 
           63
 
0.2 %
Total operating expenses
      3,643
 
29.0 %
 
      2,729
 
22.9 %
 
    10,914
 
30.2 %
 
      8,318
 
23.8 %
 
                               
Operating income (loss)
         975
 
7.8 %
 
        (328)
 
(2.8)%
 
         936
 
2.6 %
 
         877
 
2.5 %
 
                               
Interest income, net
           29
 
0.2 %
 
           29
 
0.3 %
 
           91
 
0.3 %
 
           48
 
0.1 %
Gain (loss) on derivative
                             
 
instruments, net
        (129)
 
(1.0)%
 
           47
 
0.4 %
 
           49
 
0.1 %
 
        (631)
 
(1.8)%
Other income, net
           31
 
0.2 %
 
           27
 
0.2 %
 
           70
 
0.2 %
 
           65
 
0.2 %
 
                               
Income (loss) before income taxes
         906
 
7.2 %
 
        (225)
 
(1.9)%
 
      1,146
 
3.2 %
 
         359
 
1.0 %
 
                               
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
           48
 
0.4 %
 
         323
 
2.7 %
 
        (481)
 
(1.3)%
 
           88
 
0.2 %
 
                               
Net income (loss)
 $      858
 
6.8 %
 
 $     (548)
 
(4.6)%
 
 $   1,627
 
4.5 %
 
 $      271
 
0.8 %
 
                               

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience.  Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies as of December 31, 2010 is included in Note 2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.  Certain of our accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application.  These include revenue recognition on long-term contracts, capitalization of computer software development costs, and deferred income tax valuation allowances.  These critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section in the 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.


 
25

 
Results of Operations - Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2011 versus Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2010

Contract Revenue.  Total contract revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 totaled $12.5 million, which was 5.4% greater than the $11.9 million total revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, contract revenue totaled $36.1 million, a $1.2 million increase from the $34.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  The Company recorded total orders of $28.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, including a $3.0 million change order related to the Company's contract to build a new nuclear power plant simulator for a two unit reactor plant in Slovakia which, increased the total contract value from $23.8 million to $26.8 million.   Revenue related to this contract was $1.6 million (12.5% of revenue) and $3.6 million (30.2% of revenue) for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, revenue from the Slovak order was $4.5 million (12.3% of revenue) and $8.1 million (23.3% of revenue), respectively.  The decrease in revenue generated from the Slovak utility order was largely offset by the additional revenue generated due to the acquisitions of EnVision and TAS Engineering Consultants Ltd. ("TAS").  EnVision, which was acquired by the Company on January 4, 2011, generated approximately $492,000 and $1.6 million of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 TAS, which was acquired by the Company on April 26, 2010, generated revenue of $1.1 million and $3.0 million compared to $866,000 and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and for the period commencing on the closing date of the acquisition and ending on Septermber 30, 2010, respectively.  In addition, revenue generated from various contracts that the Company has received from a German customer increased by approximately $591,000 and $1.5 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2010.  At September 30, 2011, the Company’s backlog was $50.8 million, of which $6.4 million related to the Slovakia contract.  The backlog decreased 9.1% from December 31, 2010 when the Company’s backlog totaled $55.9 million.

Gross ProfitGross profit totaled $4.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 versus $2.4 million for the same quarter in 2010.  As a percentage of revenue, gross profit increased from 20.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 to 36.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2011.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, gross profit increased $2.7 million from the same period in 2010 to $11.9 million and, as a percentage of revenue, increased from 26.4% to 32.8%.  The $3.0 million change order from the Slovak utility received during the third quarter 2011 increased the overall gross margin on the project and generated an additional $679,000 in gross margin on the project for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Without this change in gross margin on the Slovak project, the consolidated gross margin as a percent of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 would have been 33.1% and 31.5%.  Included in the Slovak order is approximately $16.5 million for hardware, the largest portion being a digital control system from Siemens.  The Company’s subcontract with Siemens is denominated in Euro.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized an unrealized currency loss of $506,000, and an unrealized currency gain of $105,000, respectively,  on the accrued costs of this subcontract which were recorded in cost of revenue. EnVision and TAS products and services typically sell at gross profit margins higher than the Company’s normal gross profit margins.  Accordingly the increase in their revenue in 2011 as compared to 2010 have contributed to the increase in consolidated gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.
 
26

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses totaled $3.3 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2011, a 29.7% increase from the $2.5 million for the same period in 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, SG&A expenses totaled $9.9 million and $7.8 million, respectively. The increase reflects the following spending variances:
¨  
Business development and marketing costs increased from $1.1 million in the third quarter 2010 to $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2011 and increased from $3.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 to $4.1 million in the same period 2011.  During the first quarter of 2011, the Company underwent an internal reorganization whereby a number of operational personnel were reallocated to business development activities on a full time basis.  Bidding and proposal costs, which are the costs of operations personnel assisting with the preparation of contract proposals, decreased by $15,000 in the third quarter 2011 to $335,000 as compared to the third quarter 2010, and increased by $46,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $1.1 million as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  TAS and EnVision have incurred approximately $197,000 and $597,000 of the business development and marketing costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.  Business development and marketing costs incurred by TAS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled $69,000 and $104,000, respectively.  The Company also hired a business development manager in the United Kingdom in May 2010.
 
¨  
The Company’s general and administrative expenses (“G&A”) were $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and increased from $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 to $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase is primarily attributable to the following:
o  
TAS and EnVision incurred $193,000 and $670,000 of G&A expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 G&A expenses attributable to TAS totaled $161,000 and $307,000, respectively.
o  
The change in the fair value of contingent consideration (accretion expense) related to the TAS and EnVision acquisitions was $47,000 and $331,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.  The change in the fair value of contingent consideration related to the TAS acquisition for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $55,000 and $82,000, respectively.
o  
The Company incurred $0 and $206,000 in expenses related to its acquisition efforts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, as compared to $51,000 and $274,000 for the same periods in 2010.  These expenses were primarily comprised of legal and due diligence expenses.

¨  
Gross spending on software product development (“development”) expenses, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 totaled $454,000 and $1.2 million, respectively, as compared to $428,000 and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.  The Company capitalized $186,000 and $572,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively and $266,000 and $741,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.  Net development spending increased from $162,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 to $269,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and increased from $473,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 to $628,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
o  
The Company created a 3D visualization team in January 2011 to develop 3D technology to add to our training programs.  The Company incurred $104,000 and $231,000 of costs related to this effort in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.
o  
Spending on other software product development totaled $165,000 and $397,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, development expense totaled $162,000 and $473,000, respectively.  The Company’s development expenses were mainly related to advancements on a new configuration management system which is a central data warehouse that supports various forms of data on a simulator, and new feature enhancements to our JADE platform including human factor engineering elements and a new graphical user interface.  EnVision incurred $27,000 and $70,000 of development expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.

 
27

 
Depreciation.  Depreciation expense totaled $137,000 and $146,000 during the quarters ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, depreciation expense totaled $365,000 and $418,000, respectively.

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets. Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets totaled $204,000 and $38,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets totaled $629,000 and $63,000, respectively.  As part of the Company’s acquisition of TAS in 2010, the Company recorded intangible assets totaling approximately $740,000 with estimated lives of one to ten years.  The Company also recorded intangible assets of $1.5 million with estimated lives of three to eight years as part of the EnVision acquisition.

Operating Income (loss).  The Company had operating income of $975,000 (7.8 % of revenue) in the third quarter 2011, as compared with an operating loss of $328,000 (2.8% of revenue) for the same period in 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had operating income of $936,000 (2.6% of revenue) and $877,000 million (2.5% of revenue), respectively.  The variances were due to the factors outlined above.
 
Interest Income, Net.  Net interest income totaled $29,000 for each of the quarters ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, net interest income totaled $91,000 and $48,000, respectively.
 
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net.  The Company periodically enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to manage market risks associated with the fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign-denominated trade receivables.  As of September 30, 2011, the Company had foreign exchange contracts outstanding of approximately 2.3 million Pounds Sterling, 17.0 million Euro, and 682.9 million Japanese Yen at fixed rates.  The contracts expire on various dates through February 2014.  The Company has not designated the contracts as hedges and has recognized losses on the change in the estimated fair value of the contracts of $143,000 and $298,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.
 
At September 30, 2010, the Company had foreign exchange contracts for sale of approximately 1.6 million Pounds Sterling, 11.7 million Euro and 968 million Japanese Yen at fixed rates.  The contracts expire on various dates through February 2014.  The Company had not designated the contracts as hedges and had recognized a loss on the change in the estimated fair value of the contracts of $412,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and a loss of $470,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

The foreign currency denominated contract receivables, and subcontractor accruals that are related to the outstanding foreign exchange contracts were remeasured into the functional currency using the current exchange rate at the end of the period.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized a gain of $14,000 and $347,000, respectively, from the remeasurement of such contract receivables and billings in excess of revenue earned.  For the same periods in 2010, the Company recognized a $459,000 gain and $161,000 loss, respectively.

Other Income, net.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, other income, net was $31,000 and $70,000, respectively.   For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, other income, net was $27,000 and $65,000, respectively.  The major components of other income, net included the following items:
 
¨  
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized gain of $3,000 and a loss of $22,000, respectively, relating to its pro rata share of operating results from GSE-UNIS Simulation Technology Co., Ltd.
¨  
The Company had other miscellaneous income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 of $28,000 and $92,000.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, other miscellaneous income amounted to $27,000 and $65,000, respectively.
 

 
28

Provision for Income Taxes.

The Company files in the United States federal jurisdiction and in several state and foreign jurisdictions. Because of the net operating loss carryforwards, the Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations from years 1997 and forward and is subject to foreign tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2004 and forward.  Open tax years related to state and foreign jurisdictions remain subject to examination but are not considered material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
An uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense.
 
The Company, through its acquisition of EnVision on January 4, 2011, recognized deferred tax liabilities of $1.0 million.  As a result of this acquisition, in accordance with ASC-805 Business Combinations, the Company reduced the valuation allowance on its U.S. net deferred tax assets and recognized the change in the valuation allowance ($1.0 million) through the income tax provision.
 
The Company, through its acquisition of EnVision on January 4, 2011, recorded $320,000 of unrecognized tax benefits as well as a receivable from the EnVision shareholders for the same amount as indemnity for this tax position.  The Company does not expect any material changes to its uncertain tax positions in the next twelve months.

The Company expects to pay income taxes in Sweden, India, China and England in 2011.  In addition, the Company will pay foreign income tax withholding on several non-U.S. contracts.  The Company has a full valuation allowance on its U.S. and Scottish net deferred tax assets at September 30, 2011.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2011, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $17.7 million compared to $26.6 million at December 31, 2010.

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities.   For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, net cash used in operations totaled $1.6 million. Significant changes in the Company’s assets and liabilities in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 included:
 
¨  
A $3.0 million increase in the Company’s contract receivables.   The Company’s trade receivables, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, increased from $5.7 million at December 31, 2010 to $9.0 million at September 30, 2011.  At September 30, 2011, trade receivables outstanding for more than 90 days, net of the bad debt reserve, totaled approximately $491,000 versus $318,000 at December 31, 2010.  The Company’s unbilled receivables increased by approximately $1.3 million to $12.8 million at September 30, 2011.  The increase in the unbilled receivables is due to the timing of contracted billing milestones of the Company’s current projects.  In October 2011, the Company invoiced $4.2 million of the unbilled amounts; the balance is expected to be invoiced and collected within one year.
¨  
A $1.6 million decrease in accounts payable, accrued compensation and accrued expenses.  The decrease is due to the timing of payments made by the Company to vendors and subcontractors.

 
29

 
Net cash provided by operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, totaled $9.0 million. Significant changes in the Company’s assets and liabilities in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included:
 
¨  
A $2.3 million decrease in the Company’s contract receivables.  The Company’s trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, decreased from $6.4 million at December 31, 2009 to $3.6 million at September 30, 2010 while the Company’s unbilled receivables increased by $939,000 to $10.4 million at September 30, 2010.  At September 30, 2010, trade receivables outstanding for more than 90 days totaled $300,000 versus $1.4 million at December 31, 2009.  The decrease in the Company’s unbilled receivables balance was due to the timing of contracted billing milestones of the Company’s projects.
¨  
A $2.1 million increase in the Company’s other assets. The increase was primarily due to a $1.3 million increase in the value added tax (VAT) receivable. This amount relates to vendor invoices received by GSE, which included VAT. The Company was entitled to reclaim the VAT.
¨  
A $6.5 million increase in accounts payable, accrued compensation and accrued expenses. The Company’s accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased primarily due to two invoices received from Siemens for $7.8 million. These invoices were for milestones completed on the digital control system of our Slovak utility project. The Company paid these invoices in October 2010.

Cash used in investing activities.  Net cash used in investing activities totaled $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase is primarily the result of BOA’s amendments to the Company’s revolving credit agreements effective March 14, 2011, which required the Company to cash collateralize all existing and future letters of credit.  At September 30, 2011 the Company had cash collateralized $4.3 million of standby letters of credit.  This balance represents a $4.1 million increase from December 31, 2010.

The Company acquired EnVision Systems Inc. on January 4, 2011.  The purchase price totaled $4.0 million with $1.2 million paid in cash at closing. The balance is deferred until the first, second, and third anniversaries of the closing date.  In the second quarter of 2011, the Company made payments of $74,000 to EnVision’s shareholders related to billed receivables included on the Closing Date balance sheet.  An additional payment of $109,000 to the EnVision shareholders was made during the second quarter of 2011 related to the working capital true-up provisions of the purchase agreement.  GSE acquired approximately $550,000 in cash through the acquisition of EnVision.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company made an additional equity contribution totaling $456,000 to GSE-UNIS Simulation Technology Co., Ltd. (“GSE-UNIS”).  GSE-UNIS is 51% owned by Beijing UNIS Investment Co., Ltd. and 49% owned by GSE.   Per the joint venture agreement, the Company will make an additional contribution to GSE-UNIS of approximately $450,000 in January 2012.
 
    Capital expenditures totaled $370,000 and capitalized software development costs totaled $572,000. $79,000 of cash which GSE had on deposit with Union National Bank (“UNB”) as a partial guarantee against the Emirates Simulation Academy, LLC (“ESA”) line of credit, was withdrawn by UNB during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, GSE had a full reserve for the amount in the restricted cash account.
 
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $593,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Capital expenditures totaled $325,000 and capitalized software development costs totaled $741,000. Cash used as collateral for standby letters of credit decreased by $638,000.

Effective April 26, 2010, GSE Systems Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary GSE Systems, Ltd. (GSE UK), completed the acquisition of TAS Holdings Ltd.  The total purchase price totaled approximately $2.3 million with approximately $500,000 paid in cash at closing, $689,000 paid post-closing in GSE common stock and the balance deferred until the first and second anniversary of the closing date.  TAS had approximately $68,000 cash on their balance sheet as of the acquisition date.

On the closing date, TAS entered into a sale and leaseback agreement with the former TAS shareholders.  Under the terms of the agreement, the TAS shareholders purchased the building occupied by TAS for approximately $377,000 in cash and TAS entered into a five-year lease for approximately $31,000 per year, payable in equal monthly installments.  TAS may terminate the lease after April 26, 2013 upon six months’ written notice.

 
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Cash used in financing activities.  Net cash used in financing activities totaled $1.0 million.  The Company repurchased 521,400 shares of the Company’s common stock at an aggregate cost of $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Proceeds from the issuance of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 totaled $119,000.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, net cash used in financing activities totaled $8,000. The Company received $74,000 from the issuance of common stock in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company spent $82,000 on deferred financing costs in conjunction with the Bank of America lines of credit.
 
At September 30, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $17.7 million.  Based on the Company’s forecasted expenditures and cash flow, the Company believes that it will generate sufficient cash through its normal operations to meet its liquidity and working capital needs for the next twelve months.
 
The Company has a money market account with BOA.  At September 30, 2011 we had $163,000 in the money market account versus $10.1 million at June 30, 2011.  The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act provides for unlimited insurance coverage of noninterest-bearing transaction accounts through December 31, 2012 at all Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured institutions.  Accordingly, we transferred most of the Company's U.S. funds out of the money market account to the operating account to take advantage of the unlimited insurance coverage.

Credit Facilities

At December 31, 2010, the Company had two separate revolving credit agreements for revolving lines of credit with BOA which were to expire on May 31, 2012.  The Company and its subsidiary, GSE Power Systems, Inc., were jointly and severally liable as co-borrowers.  The credit facilities enabled the Company to borrow funds to support working capital needs and standby letters of credit.  The first line of credit which was in the principal amount of up to $3.5 million was amended on March 29, 2010 to increase the principal amount to $5.0 million but was terminated (see below).  The second line of credit was in the principal amount of up to $2.5 million. This line of credit enabled the Company to borrow funds up to 80% of domestic accounts receivable, 30% of domestic unbilled receivables and 100% of the principal balance of a $600,000 certificate of deposit issued by BOA and was amended on March 14, 2011 (see below).  The interest rate on this line of credit was based on the daily LIBOR rate plus 225 basis points, with interest only payments due monthly. The credit agreements contained certain restrictive covenants regarding future acquisitions, incurrence of debt and the payment of dividends.  In addition, both credit agreements contained financial covenants with respect to the Company’s minimum tangible net worth, debt service coverage ratio, and funded debt to EBITDA ratio. At December 31, 2010, the Company was in default of the funded debt to EBITDA ratio.
 
Due to the Company’s financial covenant default as of December 31, 2010, BOA made the following amendments to the Company’s revolving credit agreements effective March 14, 2011:
 
·  
A written waiver was granted for the funded debt to EBITDA ratio default.
 
·  
The $5.0 million principal line of credit was terminated.
 
·  
The financial covenants for the $2.5 million principal line of credit were deleted.  Going forward, there are no financial covenants.
 
·  
The Company was required to cash collateralize all outstanding standby letters of credit.
 
·  
All future letters of credit issued by BOA must be cash collateralized.
 
·  
Borrowings under the line of credit must be cash collateralized.  Currently the Company has in place a $600,000 certificate of deposit as collateral for the line of credit.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Company was contingently liable for eight standby letters of credit and two surety bonds totaling $5.4 million which represent performance and bid bonds on ten contracts. The Company has deposited the full value of eight of the standby letters of credit in certificates of deposit ($4.3 million) which have been restricted in that the Company does not have access to these funds until the related letters of credit have expired. The cash has been recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at September 30, 2011 as restricted cash.
 
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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

The Company’s market risk is principally confined to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  The Company’s exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations arises in part from inter-company accounts in which costs incurred in one entity are charged to other entities in different foreign jurisdictions.  The Company is also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of all foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in consolidation.  As exchange rates vary, those results when translated may vary from expectations and adversely impact overall expected profitability.
 
The Company utilizes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage market risks associated with the fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The principal currencies for which such forward exchange contracts are entered into are the Pound Sterling, the Euro and the Japanese Yen. It is the Company’s policy to use such derivative financial instruments to protect against market risk arising in the normal course of business in order to reduce the impact of these exposures.  The Company minimizes credit exposure by limiting counterparties to nationally recognized financial institutions.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Company had foreign exchange contracts outstanding of approximately 2.3 million Pounds Sterling, 17.0 million Euro, and 682.9 million Japanese Yen at fixed rates.  The contracts expire on various dates through February 2014.  The Company had not designated the contracts as hedges and has recognized losses on the change in the estimated fair value of the contracts of $143,000 and $298,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.  A 10% fluctuation in the foreign currency exchange rates up or down as of September 30, 2011 would have increased/decreased the change in the estimated fair value of the contracts by $18,000.
 
As of September 30, 2010, the Company had foreign exchange contracts for sale of approximately 1.6 million Pounds Sterling, 11.7 million Euro and 968 million Japanese Yen at fixed rates.  The contracts expire on various dates through February 2014.  The Company had not designated the contracts as hedges and recognized a loss on the change in the estimated fair value of the contracts of $412,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and a loss of $470,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  The Company maintains adequate internal disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in its reports filed or submitted pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its Exchange Act reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who is its principal executive officer, and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), who is its principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The Company’s CEO and CFO are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Company’s financial reporting.  They have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14 as of September 30, 2011 in order to ensure the reporting of material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic filings with the Commission comply with the Commission’s requirements for certification of this Form 10-Q.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO have concluded that as of September 30, 2011 the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
 (b) Changes in internal control.   There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

Limitation of Effectiveness of Controls
 
It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met.  The design of any control system is based, in part, upon the benefits of the control system relative to its costs.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of control.  In addition, over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.  Because of inherent limitation in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.  The Company’s controls and procedures are designed to provide a reasonable level of assurance of achieving their objectives.
 

 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The Company has one material addition to the disclosure on this matter made in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
 

The Company’s stockholder protection rights agreement and classified Board of Directors could deter acquisition proposals and make it difficult for a third party to acquire control of the Company, which could have a negative effect on the price of the Company’s Common Stock.

 
The Company has a stockholder protection rights agreement and a classified Board of Directors, which could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company.  This deterrent could adversely affect the price of the Company’s Common Stock and make it difficult to affect a change in the composition of the Board of Directors or a change in management of the Company.
 
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides information about the Company’s share repurchase activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

                 
 
Month
   
Total number of shares purchased
 
 
Average price paid per share
 
  Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced program
 
Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program
January
 
                             -
 
                             -
 
                             -
 
                             -
February
 
                             -
 
                             -
 
                             -
 
                             -
March
 
                             -
 
                             -
 
                             -
 
 $              3,000,000
April
 
                             -
 
                             -
 
                             -
 
 $              3,000,000
May
 
                      9,000
 
 $                     2.30
 
                      9,000
 
 $              2,979,334
June
 
                   141,881
 
 $                     2.22
 
                   150,881
 
 $              2,664,019
July
 
                   109,787
 
 $                     2.24
 
                   260,668
 
 $              2,418,509
August
 
                   239,332
 
 $                     2.12
 
                   500,000
 
 $              1,910,402
September
 
                     21,400
 
 $                     1.78
 
                   521,400
 
 $              1,872,412

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None

 
34

 
Item 4.  Removed and Reserved

Item 5.  Other Information
 
None

Item 6.  Exhibits
 
 
10.1
Employment Agreement dated as of October 17, 2011 between GSE Systems, Inc. and Phillip M. Polefrone, filed herewith.

 
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
 
 
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
 
 
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
 
 
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document

 
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 
101.CAL*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

 
101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

 
101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 
101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 

 
35

 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  November 9, 2011                                               
GSE SYSTEMS, INC.
 

 
/S/ JAMES A. EBERLE
James A. Eberle
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)



/S/ JEFFERY G. HOUGH
Jeffery G. Hough
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


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