UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)   
 
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 20172018
 
    
  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 Number)
 
1332 Londontown Blvd., Suite 200, Sykesville MD 21784
(Address of principal executive offices) (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 or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer",  and "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer 
Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
 
Emerging growth company
 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

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 19,399,05619,833,103 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share outstanding as of October 31, 2017.
1

2018.


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

   PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION32
Item 1. Financial Statements: 
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 20172018 (unaudited) and December 31, 2016201732
  Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017,2018, and September 30, 2016201743
  Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017,2018, and September 30, 2016201754
  Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017201865
  Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and September 30, 2016201776
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements87
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2524
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk4238
Item 4. Controls and Procedures4238
    
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION4339
Item 1. Legal Proceedings4339
Item 1A. Risk Factors4339
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds4339
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities4339
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures4339
Item 5. Other Information4339
Item 6. Exhibits4339
  SIGNATURES4440

21



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements

GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
(unaudited)   (unaudited)    
ASSETSASSETSASSETS 
Current assets:           
Cash and cash equivalents$15,525 $21,747 $9,831  $19,111 
Restricted cash 960  1,140  9   960 
Contract receivables, net 18,616  18,863  19,238   13,997 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,956  2,052  1,624   2,795 
Total current assets 38,057  43,802  30,702   36,863 
             
Equipment, software, and leasehold improvements 7,149  6,759  5,290   4,782 
Accumulated depreciation (5,997)  (5,527)  (4,125)  (3,719)
Equipment, software, and leasehold improvements, net 1,152  1,232  1,165   1,063 
             
Software development costs, net 756  982  662   690 
Goodwill 7,130  5,612  12,185   8,431 
Intangible assets, net 3,654  454  6,597   2,604 
Deferred tax assets  6,203   6,494 
Other assets 289  1,574  37   37 
Total assets$51,038 $53,656 $57,551  $56,182 
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYLIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYLIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Current liabilities:             
Current portion of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs and original issue discount $1,901  $- 
Accounts payable$676 $923  1,096   1,251 
Accrued expenses 2,967  2,437  2,324   2,276 
Accrued compensation 3,418  2,624  3,532   2,866 
Billings in excess of revenue earned 16,131  21,444  7,810   14,543 
Accrued warranty 1,260  1,137  1,105   1,433 
Contingent consideration 1,691  2,105  -   1,701 
Other current liabilities 867  716  1,035   1,182 
Total current liabilities 27,010  31,386  18,803   25,252 
             
Long-term debt, less current portion, net of debt issuance costs and original issue discount  7,089   - 
Other liabilities 1,515  1,149  1,545   1,258 
Total liabilities 28,525  32,535  27,437   26,510 
        
Commitments and contingencies             
             
Stockholders' equity:             
Preferred stock $0.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding -  -  -   - 
Common stock $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 20,977,230 and 20,433,608 shares issued and 19,378,319 and 18,834,697 shares outstanding in 2017 and 2016 210  204
Common stock $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized, 21,432,014 shares issued, 19,833,103 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018; 30,000,000 shares authorized, 21,024,395 shares issued, 19,425,484 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017  214   210 
Additional paid-in capital 76,231  75,120  77,876   76,802 
Accumulated deficit (49,471)  (49,427)  (43,248)  (42,870)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,458)  (1,777)  (1,729)  (1,471)
Treasury stock at cost, 1,598,911 shares in 2017 and 2016 (2,999)  (2,999)
Treasury stock at cost, 1,598,911 shares in 2018 and 2017  (2,999)  (2,999)
Total stockholders' equity 22,513  21,121  30,114   29,672 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$51,038 $53,656 $57,551  $56,182 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

32


GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
Three months ended
September 30,
  
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
2017 2016  2017 2016 2018  2017  2018  2017 
                       
Revenue$15,409 $14,428 $48,876 $39,820 $21,801  $15,409  $69,394  $48,876 
           
Cost of revenue 11,185  10,430  35,513  28,329  16,380   11,185   52,735   35,513 
Gross profit 4,224  3,998  13,363  11,491  5,421   4,224   16,659   13,363 
                           
Operating expenses:                           
Selling, general and administrative 4,374  2,936  11,740  8,606  4,366   4,374   13,686   11,740 
Research and development 353  381  1,103  1,010  247   353   765   1,103 
Restructuring charges -  85  45  487  70   -   1,177   45 
Depreciation 79  91  254  294  132   79   411   254 
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets  50   72   148   219  632   50   1,094   148 
Total operating expenses 4,856  3,565  13,290  10,616  5,447   4,856   17,133   13,290 
                           
Operating (loss) income (632)  433  73  875  (26)  (632)  (474)  73 
                           
Interest income, net 15  11  60  52
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net 71  (211)  226  (346)
Other income (expense), net 33  15  (4)  112
Interest (expense) income, net  (114)  15   (153)  60 
(Loss) gain on derivative instruments, net  (59)  71   (306)  226 
Other (expense) income, net  (5)  33   24   (4)
(Loss) income before income taxes (513)  248  355  693  (204)  (513)  (909)  355 
           
Provision for income taxes 92  80  399  275  314   92   124   399 
Net (loss) income$(605) $168 $(44) $418
Net loss $(518) $(605) $(1,033) $(44)
                           
                           
Basic (loss) earnings per common share$(0.03) $0.01 $0.00 $0.02
Basic loss per common share $(0.03) $(0.03) $(0.05) $0.00 
                           
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share$(0.03) $0.01 $0.00 $0.02
Diluted loss per common share $(0.03) $(0.03) $(0.05) $0.00 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


43


GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
Three months ended
September 30,
  
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
2017 2016 2017 2016 2018  2017  2018  2017 
                       
                       
Net (loss) income$(605) $168 $(44) $418
           
Net loss $(518) $(605) $(1,033) $(44)
Foreign currency translation adjustment 192  (50)  319  (152)  (31)  192   (258)  319 
           
Comprehensive (loss) income$(413) $118 $275 $266 $(549) $(413) $(1,291) $275 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


4

GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Common
Stock
         
Treasury
Stock
   
  Shares  Amount  
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  
Accumulated
Deficit
  
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Loss
  Shares  Amount  Total 
Balance, January 1, 2018  21,024  $210  $76,802  $(42,870) $(1,471)  (1,599) $(2,999) $29,672 
                                 
Cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606  -   -   -   655   -   -   -   655 
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   1,370   -   -   -   -   1,370 
Common stock issued for options exercised  214   2   37   -   -   -   -   39 
Common stock issued for RSUs vested  194   2   (2)  -   -   -   -   - 
Vested RSU shares withheld to pay taxes  -   -   (331)  -   -   -   -   (331)
Foreign currency translation adjustment  -   -   -   -   (258)  -   -   (258)
Net loss  -   -   -   (1,033)  -   -   -   (1,033)
Balance, September 30, 2018  21,432  $214  $77,876  $(43,248) $(1,729)  (1,599) $(2,999) $30,114 

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)

  
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Loss
 
Treasury
Stock
 Total
Shares  Amount    Shares Amount 
Balance, January 1, 2017 20,434 $204 $75,120 $(49,427) $(1,777) (1,599) $(2,999) $21,121
                       
Stock-based compensation expense -  -  1,793  -  - -  -  1,793
Common stock issued for options exercised 160  2  274  -  - -  -  276
Common stock issued for RSUs vested 383  4  (4)  -  - -  -  -
Vested RSU shares withheld to pay taxes -  -  (952)  -  - -  -  (952)
Foreign currency translation adjustment -  -  -  -  319 -  -  319
Net income -  -  -  (44)  - -  -  (44)
Balance, September 30, 2017 20,977 $210 $76,231 $(49,471) $(1,458) (1,599) $(2,999) $22,513

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,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
2017 2016 2018  2017 
Cash flows from operating activities:           
Net (loss) income$(44) $418
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Net loss $(1,033) $(44)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation 254  294  411   254 
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets 148  219  1,094   148 
Amortization of capitalized software development costs 352  296  353   352 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration 436  (370)
Stock-based compensation expense 1,873  900  1,535   1,873 
Bad debt expense 118  -  146   118 
(Gain)/loss on derivative instruments, net (226)  346
Loss (gain) on derivative instruments, net  306   (226)
Deferred income taxes 78  96  74   78 
Loss on sale of equipment, software, and leasehold improvements -  3
Changes in assets and liabilities:             
Contract receivables, net 5,318  (3,616)  (3,165)  5,318 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 770  (269)  948   770 
Accounts payable, accrued compensation, and accrued expenses (911)  2,254  (965)  (911)
Billings in excess of revenue earned (5,204)  3,183  (5,800)  (5,204)
Accrued warranty 112  (80)  (256)  112 
Other liabilities 359  208  (8)  359 
Cash provided by operating activities 3,433  3,882
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities  (6,360)  2,997 
             
Cash flows from investing activities:             
Proceeds from sale of equipment, software and leasehold improvements -  30
Capital expenditures (64)  (53)  (510)  (64)
Capitalized software development costs (126)  (196)  (325)  (126)
Acquisition of Absolute Consulting, Inc., net of cash acquired (8,455)  -  -   (8,455)
Restrictions of cash as collateral under letters of credit -  (4)
Releases of cash as collateral under letters of credit 180  254
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities (8,465)  31
Acquisition of True North Consulting, net of cash acquired  (9,635)  - 
Cash used in investing activities  (10,470)  (8,645)
             
Cash flows from financing activities:             
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs and original issue discount  10,154   - 
Repayment of long-term debt  (1,164)  - 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock on the exercise of stock options 276  594  39   276 
Contingent consideration payments to Hyperspring, LLC (850)  (1,421)  (1,701)  (414)
RSUs withheld to pay taxes (952)  -  (331)  (952)
Cash used in financing activities (1,526)  (827)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities  6,997   (1,090)
             
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 336  (77)  (398)  336 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (6,222)  3,009
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 21,747  11,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$15,525 $14,093
Net (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  (10,231)  (6,402)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning balance  20,071   22,887 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, ending balance $9,840  $16,485 
        
        


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

76


GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated interim financial statements included herein have been prepared by GSE Systems, Inc. (the "Company," "GSE," "we," "us,"Company, GSE, we, us, or "our")our) and are unaudited. 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 ("U.S. GAAP")(U.S. 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 year ended December 31, 2016,2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2017.  Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current presentation.  The Company reclassified research and development costs from selling, general and administrative expenses and presented them as a separate caption within operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company also reclassified the stock-based compensation related to management/employees from cost of revenue and research and development expenses to selling, general and administrative expenses.16, 2018.

The Company has two reportable segments as follows:

Performance Improvement Solutions (approximately 62%44% of revenue)

Our Performance Improvement Solutions segment primarily encompasses our technical engineering and power plant high-fidelity simulation solutions as well as engineering solutions and interactive computer basedcomputer-based tutorials/simulation focused on the process industry. This segment includes various simulation products, engineering services, and operation training systems delivered across the industries we serve: primarily nuclear and fossil fuel power generation, as well as the process industries. Our simulation solutions include the following: (1) simulation software and services, including operator training systems, for the nuclear power industry, (2) simulation software and services, including operator training systems, for the fossil power industry, and (3) simulation software and services for the process industries used to teach fundamental industry processes and control systems to newly hired employees and for ongoing workforce development and training. GSE and its predecessors have been providing these services since 1976.
8


Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting (approximately 38%56% of revenue)

Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting provides highly specialized and skilled nuclear operations instructors, procedure writers, technical engineers, and other consultants to the nuclear power industry. These employees work at our clients' facilities under client direction. Examples of these highly skilled positions are senior reactor operations instructors, procedure writers, project managers, work management specialists, planners and training material developers. This business is managed through our subsidiariesthe Hyperspring and Absolute Consulting, Inc.subsidiaries. The business model, management focus, margins and other factors clearly separate this business line from the rest of the Company's product and service portfolio. GSE and its predecessors have been providing these services since 1997.

On September 20, 2017, the Company acquired Absolute Consulting, Inc., now a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSE Performance Solutions, Inc., for $8.9 million. Absolute Consulting, Inc. is a provider of technical consulting and staffing solutions to the global nuclear power industry and employs approximately 200 professionals with expertise in procedures writing, engineering, technical support, project management, training, project controls, and corrective actions.  This acquisition brings a natural adjacency to GSE, fits well with our growth strategy, and benefits our customers from expanded capabilities and offerings. For reporting purposes, Absolute Consulting, Inc. was aggregated with Hyperspring into our Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment due to similarities in services provided including training and staff augmentation to the nuclear energy sector.  In addition, both entities will report to the same management team and share support staff such as sales, recruiting and business development. As such, 100% of the goodwill acquired was allocated to the Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment.

Financial information about the two business segments is provided in Note 1618 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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 on long-term contracts with customers, allowance for doubtful accounts, product warranties, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets acquired, valuation of long-lived assets to be disposed of, valuation of contingent consideration issued in business acquisitions, valuation of stock-based compensation awards, and the recoverability of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates and those differences could be material.

97


Revenue recognition

The Company recognizesderives its revenue through fixed pricethree broad revenue streams: 1) System Design and Build (SDB), 2) Software, and 3) Training and Consulting services. We recognize revenue from SDB and software contracts for the sale of uniquely designed/customized systems containing hardware, software and other materials which generally apply tomainly through the Performance Improvement Solutions segment and timethe training and materialconsulting service contracts forthrough both the Performance Improvement Solutions segment and Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment.

The SDB contracts are typically fixed-price and consist of initial design, engineering, assembly and installation of training simulators which include hardware, software, labor, and post contract support (PCS) on the software. We generally have two main performance obligations for an SDB contract: the training simulator build and PCS. The training simulator build performance obligation generally includes hardware, software, and labor. The transaction price under the SDB contracts is allocated to each performance obligation based on its standalone selling price. We recognize the training simulator build revenue over the construction and installation period using the cost-to-cost input method as our performance creates or enhances assets with no alternative use to the Company, and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. Cost-to-cost input method best measures the progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation. PCS revenue is recognized ratably over the service agreements.period, as PCS is deemed as a stand-ready obligation.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 605-35, Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts (ASC 605),applying the Performance Improvement Solutions segment primarily accounts for revenue under fixed-price contracts usingcost-to-cost input method, we use the percentage-of-completion method.  This methodology recognizes revenue and earnings as work progresses on the contract and is based onactual costs incurred to date comparedrelative to the total estimated costcosts to completemeasure the project.work progress toward the completion of the performance obligation and recognize revenue accordingly. Estimated contract earningscosts are reviewed and revised periodically as the work progresses, and the cumulative effect of any change in estimateestimates is recognized in the period in which the change is identified. Estimated losses are charged against earningsrecognized in the period such losses are identified. We recognize 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 of 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 ourthe Company's revenue recognition as a significant change in the estimates can cause ourthe Company's revenue and related margins to change significantly from the amounts estimated in the early stages of the project.

As we recognize revenueThe SDB contracts generally provide a one-year base warranty on the systems. The base warranty will not be accounted for as a separate performance obligation under the percentage-of-completion method, wecontract because it does not provide an accrual for estimated future warranty costs basedthe customer with a service in addition to the assurance that the completed project complies with agreed-upon specifications. Warranties extended beyond our typical one-year period will be evaluated on historical and projected claims experience.  Our long-term contracts generally provide for a one-year warranty on parts, labor and any bug fixescase by case basis to determine if it provides more than just assurance that the product operates as it relates to customized software embedded in the systems.

Our system design contracts do not normally provide for post contract support (PCS) in terms of software upgrades, software enhancements or telephone support.  To obtain PCS, the customers must normally purchaseintended, which requires carve-out as 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.  We recognize revenue from these contracts ratably over the term of the agreements.performance obligation.

Revenue from the sale of perpetual standalone software licenses, without other elements in the contract and which do not require significant modificationsmodification or customization, foris recognized upon its delivery to the Company's modeling tools arecustomer.  Revenue from the sale of term or subscription-based standalone software licenses, which do not require significant modification or customization, is recognized whenratably over the license agreement is signed,term of such licenses following delivery to the license fee is fixed and determinable, delivery has occurred, and collection is considered probable.  We utilize written contracts to establish the terms and conditions by which product support and services are sold to customers.customer.  Delivery is considered to have occurred when titlethe customer receives a copy of the software and riskis able to use and benefit from the software.

A software license sale contract with multiple deliverables typically includes the following elements: license, installation and training services and PCS. The total transaction price of loss have been transferreda software license sale contract is typically fixed, and is allocated to the customer, which generally occurs after aidentified performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling prices. Revenue is recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied. Specifically, license key has beenrevenue is recognized when the software license is delivered to the customer.

We also recognizecustomer; installation and training revenue fromis recognized when the saleinstallation and training is completed without regard to a detailed evaluation of software licenses from contracts with multiple deliverables.  These software license sales are evaluated under ASC 985-605, Software Revenue Recognition.  Contracts with multiple element arrangements typically include, but are not limitedthe point in time criteria due to components such asthe short-term nature of the installation and training licenses,services (one to two days on average); and PCS listed in the contract.  The Company concluded that vendor specific objective evidence does not exist for all elements of its software license sales.  If a PCS or professional services element exists in the software license arrangement, revenue is recognized ratably over the longest service period.  If noperiod, as PCS or professional services element exists in the arrangement, revenue is deferred until the last undelivered element is delivered.deemed as a stand-ready obligation.

We recognizeThe contracts within the training and consulting services revenue understream are either time and materials contracts primarily from the Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment and certain cost-reimbursable contracts.  Revenue on time and material contracts is recognized as services are rendered and performed.  (T&M) based or fixed-price based. Under a typical time-and-materials billing arrangement,T&M contract, the Company is compensated based on the number of hours of approved time provided by temporary workers and the bill rates which are fixed per type of work, as well as approved expenses incurred. The customers are billed on a regularly scheduledregular basis, such as weekly, biweekly or monthly. Any unbilled amounts are typically billedIn accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606-10-55-18, we elected to apply the following month."right to invoice" practical expedient, under which we recognize revenue in the amount to which we have the right to invoice. The invoice amount represents the number of hours of approved time worked by each temporary worker multiplied by the bill rate for the type of work, as well as approved expenses incurred. Under cost-reimbursablea typical fixed-price contract, we recognize the revenue over the service period using the cost-to-cost input method as the Company's performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the Company, and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. Cost-to-cost input method best measures the progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation.

For contracts which are subject to a contract ceiling amount, with multiple performance obligations, we are reimbursed for allowable costs and paid a fee, which may be fixed or performance based.  However, if costs exceedallocate the contract ceiling or are not allowable underprice to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. We generally determine standalone selling prices based on the provisions of the contract or applicable regulations, we may not be ableprices charged to obtain reimbursement for all such costs.customers.

108


2.Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting pronouncements recently adopted

In July 2015,May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-11,2014-09, SimplifyingRevenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. Subsequently, the MeasurementFASB issued a series of Inventoryupdates to the revenue recognition guidance in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for such goods or services. In addition, the new accounting standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2015-11).2014-09 is effective for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 and interim periods therein.

We adopted ASU 2015-11 requires that an entity measure inventory at2014-09 and all the lower of cost and net realizable value.  This ASU does not apply to inventory measured related updates (collectively, the new revenue standard) on January 1, 2018 using the last-in, first-outmodified retrospective transition method. The new revenue standard was applicable to (1) all new contracts entered into after January 1, 2018 and (ii) all existing contracts for which all (or substantially all) of the revenue has not been recognized under legacy revenue guidance. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an increase of $0.7 million to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.

This adoption primarily affected our software license sales with multiple deliverables, which typically include the following elements: license, installation and training services and PCS. Under the legacy revenue recognition standard, due to the lack of vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE), revenue was recognized ratably over the PCS period. Under the new revenue standard, the total transaction price is allocated to the identified performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling prices, and revenue is recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied.

The impact of adoption on our consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet was as follows (in thousands):

Income Statement

  Three months ended September 30, 2018  Nine months ended September 30, 2018 
  As Reported  Balance without adoption of ASC 606  Effect of Change  As Reported  Balance without adoption of ASC 606  Effect of Change 
Revenue $21,801  $21,952  $(151) $69,394  $69,666  $(272)
Gross profit  5,421   5,572   (151)  16,659   16,931   (272)
Provision for income taxes  314   296   (18)  124   201   77 
Net loss  (518)  (349)  (169)  (1,033)  (838)  (195)

Balance Sheet
  September 30, 2018 
  As Reported  Balance without adoption of ASC 606  Effect of Change 
Contract receivables, net $19,238  $19,238  $- 
Deferred tax assets  6,203   6,367   (164)
Billings in excess of revenue earned  7,810   8,492   (682)
Accumulated deficit  (43,248)  (43,766)  518 

9

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15). The new guidance addresses eight specific cash flow issues and applies to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 was effective for annualfiscal reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. We adopted ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018, on a retrospective basis. Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-15, cash payments made to settle a contingent consideration liability from an acquisition in excess of the amount recognized at the acquisition date are classified as operating activities, which were previously presented as financing activities. The comparative statement of cash flows has been restated to include only the payments made to settle the contingent liability related to the original amount recognized at the acquisition date in the financing activities; previously, the payment of $0.4 million related to fair value adjustment and interest accretion of the contingent liability was included in financing activities. Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-15, it was reclassified as an operating activity.

In November 2016, includingthe FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18). The new guidance applies to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows. This update is intended to reduce diversity in cash flow presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents and requires entities to include all cash and cash equivalents, both restricted and unrestricted, in the beginning-of-period and end-of-period totals presented on the statement of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016-18 effective January 1, 2018, on a retrospective basis. As the result of the adoption of ASU 2016-18, we restated the statement of cash flows for the comparative period to include both restricted and unrestricted cash in the beginning-of-period and end-of-period totals, and eliminated the transfers between restricted and unrestricted cash in the statement of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the definition of a Business, which amends the definition of a business. ASU 2017-01 was effective for acquisitions commencing on or after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2017-01 effective January 1, 2018. ASU 2017-01 is applied prospectively to acquisitions commencing on or after the effective date.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASU 2017-09). The new guidance is intended to provide clarity and reduce both (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when applying the guidance on ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Entities are required to apply modification accounting for any change to an award, except for a change that is deemed to be purely administrative in nature. ASU 2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASC 718. The amendments in this update were effective for all entities and for annual periods, and interim periods within that reporting period.those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted ASU 2015-112017-09 effective January 1, 2017.2018, on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact onto our consolidated financial position, results of operationsstatements or cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Topic 718: Improvements to Employee Share Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09).  The new guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for share based payment award transactions.  The amendments in the update include the following aspects for share based accounting: accounting for income taxes, classification of excess tax benefits on thefinancial statement of cash flows, forfeitures, minimum statutory tax withholding requirements, and classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax withholding purposes.  The adoption of ASU 2016-09 was required for fiscal reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years.  We adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.disclosures.

Accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today's guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. This guidance will be effective for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.  The adoption is expected to impact our revenue recognition and related disclosures.  For example, our revenue from software arrangements with multiple elements including services are currently recognized ratably due to the lack of vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") of fair value.  We are currently evaluating these arrangements under the new revenue guidance to identify the distinct performance obligations and to determine the timing and pattern of recognition of each performance obligation. We are also evaluating other revenue streams, including power plant simulator design and build systems and training services. The Company will adopt the new standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees with capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the consolidated financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are still evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of the new standard on the consolidated financial statements, and we expect that, upon adoption, the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities could be material.
11


In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which introduces new guidance for credit losses on instruments within its scope. The new guidance introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including, but not limited to, trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and net investments in leases. The new guidance also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and requires the entities to determine whether all or a portion of the unrealized loss on an available-for-sale debt security is a credit loss. The standard also indicates that entities may not use the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position as a factor in concluding whether a credit loss exists. The ASU is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, that the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15).  The new guidance addresses eight specific cash flow issues and applies to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows.  Adoption of ASU 2016-15 is required for fiscal reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years.  We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-15 on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18).  The new guidance applies to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows.  This update is intended to reduce diversity in cash flow presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents and requires entities to include all cash and cash equivalents, both restricted and unrestricted, in the beginning-of-period and end-of-period totals presented on the statement of cash flows.  Adoption of ASU 2016-18 is required for fiscal reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years.  We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-18 on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the definition of a Business, which amends the current definition of a business. Under ASU 2017-01, to be considered a business, an acquisition would have to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contributes to the ability to create outputs.  ASU 2017-01 further states that when substantially all of the fair value of gross assets acquitted is concentrated in a single asset (or a group of similar assets), the assets acquired would not represent a business.  The new guidance also narrows the definition of the term "outputs" to be consistent with how it is described in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  The changes to the definition of a business will likely result in more acquisitions being accounted for as asset acquisitions. ASU 2017-01 is effective for acquisitions commencing on or after June 30, 2019, with early adoption permitted.  Adoption of this guidance will be applied prospectively on or after the effective date.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment(ASU (ASU 2017-04).  ASU 2017-04 simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 of the current goodwill impairment test, which required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, limited to the carrying value of the goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-04 on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (ASU 2017-09). The new guidance is intended to provide clarity and reduce both (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when applying the guidance on ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Entities are required to apply modification accounting for any change to an award, except for a change that is deemed to be purely administrative in nature. ASU 2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASC 718. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities and for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
1210


3.Basic and Diluted EarningsLoss per Common Share

Basic (loss) earningsloss per share is based on thecomputed by dividing net loss by weighted average number of outstanding common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted (loss) earningsnet loss per share adjusts the weighted average shares outstanding for the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding vested stock options were exercised.exercised, unless the impact of potential dilutive common shares outstanding has an anti-dilutive impact on diluted net loss per share.

The number of common shares and common share equivalents used in the determination of basic and diluted earningsloss per share were as follows:

(in thousands, except for share amounts) Three months ended  Nine months ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Numerator:            
Net loss $(518) $(605) $(1,033) $(44)
                 
Denominator:                
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic loss per share  19,786,888   19,280,770   19,620,207   19,204,778 
                 
Effect of dilutive securities:                
Stock options and restricted stock units  -   -   -   - 
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding and assumed conversions for diluted loss per share  19,786,888   19,280,770   19,620,207   19,204,778 
                 
Shares related to dilutive securities excluded because inclusion would be anti-dilutive  713,024   534,833   645,714   550,218 
(in thousands, except for share amounts)Three months ended Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Numerator:           
Net (loss) income$(605) $168 $(44) $418
            
Denominator:           
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic (loss) income per share 19,280,770  18,230,148  19,204,778  18,052,019
            
Effect of dilutive securities:           
Stock options and restricted stock units -  239,969  -  235,851
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding and assumed conversions for diluted (loss) income per share 19,280,770  18,470,117  19,204,778  18,287,870
            
Shares related to dilutive securities excluded because inclusion would be anti-dilutive 534,833  734,833  550,218  741,862

1311

4.AcquisitionAcquisitions

True North

On September 20, 2017,May 11, 2018, GSE, through its wholly-owned subsidiary GSE Performance Solutions, Inc. ("(Performance Solutions), entered into a membership interest purchase agreement with Donald R. Horn, Jenny C. Horn, and True North Consulting LLC (the True North Purchase Agreement) to purchase 100% of the membership interests in True North Consulting LLC (True North) for $9.75 million. The purchase price was subject to customary pre- and post-closing working capital adjustments, resulting in total consideration of $9.9 million. The True North Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, and indemnification provisions subject to certain limitations. An escrow of $1.5 million was funded from the cash paid to the sellers of True North at the closing and is available to GSE to promote retention of key personnel and satisfy indemnification claims for 18 months after the closing. The acquisition of True North was completed on an all-cash transaction basis. In connection with the acquisition, we issued a $10.3 million term loan to finance the transaction (including the transaction costs). See Note 14. Debt, for further details of the loan.

True North is a provider of technical engineering solutions to nuclear and fossil fuel power plants with an emphasis on regulatory-driven ASME code programs. Located in Montrose, Colorado, True North is a well-regarded service provider to leading companies in the power industry. The acquisition of True North is expected to broaden our engineering services offering, expand our relationships with several of the largest nuclear energy providers in the United States, and add a highly specialized, complimentary talent pool to our employee base.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid to acquire True North and the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transaction. Due to the recent completion of the acquisition, the Company recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their preliminary estimated fair value. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had not finalized the determination of the fair value allocated to various assets and liabilities, including, but not limited to, contract receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, intangible assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued compensation and the residual amount allocated to goodwill. The following amounts except for cash are all reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows within the "Acquisition of True North Consulting, net of cash acquired" line caption.

(in thousands)

Total purchase price $9,941 
     
 Purchase price allocation:    
Cash  306 
Contract receivables  2,345 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  4 
Property, and equipment, net  1 
Intangible assets  5,088 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses  (1,420)
Accrued compensation  (137)
 Total identifiable net assets  6,187 
 Goodwill  3,754 
 Net assets acquired $9,941 

The fair value of the assets acquired includes gross trade receivables of $2.3 million, of which the Company expects to collect in full. GSE did not acquire any other class of receivable as a result of the acquisition of True North.

The goodwill is primarily attributable to broader engineering service offering to new and existing customers, the workforce of the acquired business and the significant synergies expected to arise after the acquisition of True North. The total amount of goodwill is expected to be tax deductible. All of the $3.8 million of goodwill was assigned to our Performance Solutions"),Improvement Solutions segment. As of the report date, the Company is still evaluating the impact of the True North acquisition on our reporting units. As discussed above, the goodwill amount is provisional pending receipt of the final valuations of various assets and liabilities.

The Company identified other intangible assets of $5.1 million, including customer contracts and relationships, tradename, non-compete agreements, and alliance agreements, with amortization periods of four to fifteen years. The fair value of the intangible assets is provisional pending receipt of the final valuations for these assets.

The following table summarizes the fair value of intangible assets acquired at the date of acquisition and the related weighted average amortization period:

Intangible Assets Weighted average amortization period  Fair Value 
  (in years)  (in thousands) 
Customer relationships  15  $3,758 
Tradename  10   582 
Non-compete agreements  4   221 
Alliance agreements  5   527 
Total     $5,088 

12

Absolute

On September 20, 2017, GSE, through Performance Solutions, acquired 100% of the capital stock of Absolute Consulting, Inc. ("Absolute")(Absolute) for $8.8 million pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Performance Solutions and the sellers of Absolute. The purchase price was subject to a customary working capital adjustment resulting in total consideration of $8.9 million (subject to post-closing adjustment).$9.5 million. An indemnification escrow of $1.0 million was funded from the cash paid to the sellers and is available to GSE and Performance Solutions to satisfy indemnification claims until September 20, 2019. The acquisition of Absolute was completed on an all-cash transaction basis.

Absolute is a provider of technical consulting and staffing solutions to the global nuclear power industry. Located in Navarre, Florida, Absolute has established long-term relationships with blue-chip customers primarily in the nuclear power industry. The acquisition of Absolute is expected to strengthen the Company's global leadership in nuclear training and consulting solutions, add new capacities to our technical consulting and staffing solutions offerings and bring highly complementary customers, while deepening relationships with existing clients.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid to acquire Absolute and the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transaction. Due to the recent completion of the acquisition of Absolute, the Company recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their preliminary estimated fair value. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not finalized the determination of the fair value allocated to various assets and liabilities, including, but not limited to, contract receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, property, and equipment, intangible assets, accrued expenses, accrued compensation and the residual amount allocated to goodwill. The following amounts except for Cash are all reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow within the "Acquisition of Absolute Consulting, Inc., net of cash acquired" line caption.
(in thousands)    
     
Total purchase price$8,910 $9,521 
      
Purchase price allocation:      
Cash$455 $455 
Contract receivables 5,121  5,121 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 70  68 
Property, and equipment, net 102  184 
Intangible assets 3,340  2,569 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities (78)  (78)
Accrued compensation (1,618)  (1,617)
Total identifiable net assets 7,392  6,702 
Goodwill 1,518  2,819 
Net assets acquired$8,910 $9,521 

The goodwill is primarily attributable to the additional capacities to offer broader solutions to new and existing customers and the expected enhanced cost and growth synergies as a result of the acquisition. The total amount of goodwill that is expected to be tax deductible is $1.5$2.8 million. All of the $1.5$2.8 million of goodwill was assigned to our Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment. As discussed above, the goodwill amount is provisional pending receipt of the final valuations for various assets and liabilities.

The fair value of the assets acquired includes gross trade receivables of $5.1 million, of which the Company expects to collectwas collected in full.full after acquisition. GSE did not acquire any other class of receivable as a result of the acquisition of Absolute.

The Company identified $3.3$2.6 million of other intangible assets, including customer relationships and trademarks/names, and non-compete agreements, with amortization periods of three to fiveten years. The following table summarizes the fair valuesvalue of the intangible assets are provisional pending receiptacquired at the date of acquisition and the final valuations for those assets.related weighted average amortization period:

Intangible Assets Weighted average amortization period  Fair Value 
  (in years)  (in thousands) 
Customer relationships  10  $1,856 
Trademarks/Names  3   713 
Total     $2,569 

1413

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
The acquired business contributed revenue of $1.2 million and earnings of $36,000 to GSE for the period from September 20, 2017 to September 30, 2017. The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information of GSE as if the business combination had occurred on January 1, 2016.
The unaudited pro forma financial information was prepared basedin the table below summarizes the combined results of operations for GSE, True North, and Absolute as if the business combinations had occurred  on historical financial information.January 1, 2017.

  Three months ended September 30,  Nine months ended September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
  
(unaudited and in thousands)
 
             
Revenue $21,801  $24,975  $72,564  $83,337 
Net loss  (361)  (736)  (2,178)  (1,224)

TheseTrue North contributed revenue of $3.7 million and net loss of $(0.4) million to the Company for the period from May 11, 2018 to September 30, 2018.

The pro forma amounts havefinancial information for all periods presented has been calculated after applying GSE's accounting policies and adjustinghas also included pro forma adjustments resulting from these acquisitions, including amortization charges of the results of Absolute to reflect the additional amortization that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to intangible assets had been appliedidentified from these acquisitions, interest expenses related to the financing transaction in connection with the acquisition of True North, and the related tax effects as if aforementioned companies were combined as of January 1, 2016, with2017.

For the consequential tax effects. In 2017, GSEnine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company has incurred $0.5 million of acquisition-related costs.transaction costs related to the acquisition of True North. These expenses are included in general and administrative expense on GSE's consolidated statements of operations and are reflected in pro forma earningsloss for the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, in the table below. above.

The pro forma financial information is not intended to reflect the actual results of operations that would have occurred if the acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2016,2017, nor is it intended to be an indication of future operating results.

 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 (unaudited and in thousands)
Revenue$23,055 $24,097 $77,470 $70,175
Net (loss) income (293)  241  448  (69)
5.Restructuring Activities

On December 27, 2017, the board of GSE Systems, Inc. approved an international restructuring plan to streamline and optimize the Company's global operations. Beginning in December 2017, GSE has been in the process of consolidating its engineering services and R&D activities to Maryland and ceasing an unprofitable non-core business in the United Kingdom (UK). As a result, the Company closed its offices in Nyköping, Sweden; Chennai, India; and Stockton-on-Tees, UK. These actions are designed to improve Company productivity by eliminating duplicate employee functions, increasing GSE's focus on its core business, improving efficiency and maintaining the full range of engineering capabilities while reducing costs and organizational complexity.
GSE eliminated approximately 40 positions due to these changes, primarily in Europe and India, and will undertake other cost-savings measures. The restructuring plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. As a result of these efforts, as shown in the table below, GSE expects to record a total restructuring charge of approximately $2.1 million, primarily related to workforce reductions, contract termination costs and asset write-offs due to the exit activities. As of September 30, 2018, we had recorded restructuring charges totaling $1.9 million ($1.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018). In addition to the restructuring costs in the table below, the Company has an estimated $1.6 million of cumulative translation adjustments that will be charged against net income (loss) and an estimated $1.0 million of tax benefits that will be realized upon liquidation of these foreign entities. GSE expects to recognize the remaining restructuring costs, currency translation adjustments and tax benefits by the end of 2018.

The following tables summarize the restructuring costs and restructuring liabilities at September 30, 2018:

(in thousands)
  September 30, 2018 
  Total Expected Costs  Costs Incurred to Date  Expected Costs Remaining 
Employee termination benefits $824  $824  $- 
Lease termination costs  591   591   - 
Assets write-offs/impairment  222   222   - 
Other restructuring costs  432   273   159 
Total Restructuring costs $2,069  $1,910  $159 

The restructuring costs related to our Performance Improvement Solutions segment and are included in the consolidated statements of operations within the "Restructuring charges" line caption.

  Employee termination benefits  Lease termination costs  Other Restructuring costs  Total 
Balance as of January 1, 2018 $465  $-  $33  $498 
Accruals  359   591   227   1,177 
Payments  (632)  (613)  (260)  (1,505)
Currency translation and other adjustments  (11)  71   -   60 
Balance as of September 30, 2018 $181  $49  $-  $230 

The accrued employee termination benefits were included in "accrued compensation", and the accrued lease termination costs were included in "accrued expenses" in the consolidated balance sheets.

1514

5.6.Contingent Consideration

Acquisitions may include contingent consideration payments based on future financial measures of an acquired company. Under ASC 805, "Business Combination"Combinations, contingent consideration is required to be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. We estimate the fair value of these liabilities based on financial projections of the acquired companies and estimated probabilities of achievement. At each reporting date, the contingent consideration obligation is revalued to estimated fair value and changes in fair value subsequent to the acquisition are reflected in income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations, and could cause a material impact to our operating results. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration obligations may result from changes in discount periods and rates, changes in the timing and amount of revenue and/or earnings estimates and changes in probability assumptions with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016,2017, the remaining contingent consideration, related to our acquisition of Hyperspring via an earnout,  included in current liabilities totaled2014 was $1.7 million, and $2.1 million, respectively. The Company made a paymentall of $0.9 million and $1.4 millionwhich was paid in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to the liability-classifiedJanuary 2018. There was no contingent consideration arrangements. Asliability as of November 14, 2017, we will not record contingent consideration adjustments for the Hyperspring acquisition due to the expiration of the earnout period.
September 30, 2018.

6.7.Contract Receivables

Contract receivables represent balancesthe Company's unconditional rights to consideration 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 yet 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, September 30,  December 31, 
2017 2016 2018  2017 
         
Billed receivables$12,039 $13,325 $12,592  $8,154 
Recoverable costs and accrued profit not yet billed 6,715  5,555
Unbilled receivables  6,926   5,980 
Allowance for doubtful accounts (138)  (17)  (280)  (137)
Total contract receivables, net$18,616 $18,863 $19,238  $13,997 

Management reviews collectability of receivables periodically and records an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce our receivables to their net realizable value when it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical trends of past due accounts, write-offs, and specific identification and review of customer accounts. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded allowances for doubtful accounts of $146,000 and $118,000, respectively.

During October 2017,2018, the Company invoiced $4.6$5.0 million of the unbilled amounts related to the balance at September 30, 2017.2018.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had two customers that accounted for 19.7% and 13.1% of its consolidated contract receivables, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had one customer that accounted for 26.3%26.7% of the Company's consolidated contract receivables.  As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any customers that accounted for more than 10% of the Company'sits consolidated contract receivables.

On March 29, 2017, Westinghouse, a customer of our Performance Improvement Solutions segment, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, Case No. 17-10751. During the second quarter of 2017, Westinghouse assumed one of our contracts related to Southern Nuclear Company. Therefore, we have not recorded a reserve for outstanding receivables related to this contract. On July 31, 2017, South Carolina Electric and Gas Company announced that it will cease construction of new nuclear plants at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, one of the facilities for which the Company has an executory contract with Westinghouse for the provision of simulator software and equipment. Although there has been no formal rejection of the contract as part of the Westinghouse bankruptcy process, GSE now considers it likely that Westinghouse will reject the parties' contract pertaining to the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station. Therefore, at June 30, 2017, GSE reserved 100% of accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, and billings in excess related to the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, resulting in a net bad debt charge of $118,000.

At September 30, 2017, in addition to the foregoing amounts associated with the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, the Company had approximately $0.1 million in net billed and unbilled pre-petition receivables attributable to Westinghouse. The Company has assessed the recoverability of the remaining $0.1 million in net billed and unbilled pre-petition receivables and concluded that the likelihood of loss is not probable, and therefore, none of the remaining outstanding amounts have been reserved at September 30, 2017.
1615


7.8. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:

(in thousands)September 30, December 31, September 30,  December 31, 
2017 2016 2018  2017 
           
Inventory$1,159 $- $261  $755 
Income taxes receivable 268  446  296   418 
Prepaid expenses 451  422  298   549 
Other current assets 1,078  1,184  769   1,073 
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets$2,956 $2,052 $1,624  $2,795 

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised primarily of inventory that is beingand other current assets. Inventory has been purchased and used to support the construction of three major nuclear simulation projects related to a significant contract that was executed during the first quarter of 2016. Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or marketnet realizable value in accordance with ASC 330, Inventory. At December 31, 2016, inventory related to the simulation projects was classified asOther current assets primarily includes value-added tax receivables and cash deposited in a long-term asset within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The earliest completion date of these projects is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2018.Swedish tax account.

8.9.Software Development Costs, Net

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. On an annual basis, and more frequently as conditions indicate, the Company assesses the recovery of the unamortized software development costs by estimating the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the sale of the product.  If the undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the unamortized software costs, the Company will write down the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated fair value based on the future discounted cash flows. The excess of any unamortized computer software costs over the related fair value is written down and charged to operations.

Software development costs capitalized were $53,000 and $325,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $38,000 and $126,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,respectively. Total amortization expense was $150,000 and $10,000 and $196,000$353,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.  Total amortization expense was2018, respectively, and $118,000 and $352,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $111,000 and $296,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
17


9.10.Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company's intangible assets include amounts recognized in connection with business acquisitions, including customer relationships, trade names, non-compete agreements contract backlog, and software.alliance agreements.

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually as of December 31 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Company tests goodwill at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment, as defined by U.S. GAAP. After the acquisition of Hyperspring on November 14, 2014, the Company determined that it had two reporting units, which are the same as our two operating segments: (i) Performance Improvement Solutions; and (ii) Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting (which includes Hyperspring and Absolute). As ofThe change in the report date, the Company is still evaluating the impact of the Absolute acquisition on our reporting units. As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, goodwill of $7.1 million and $5.6 million, respectively, is related to the Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment.  The increase of $1.5 million in thenet carrying amount of goodwill during the nine months endedfrom December 31, 2017 through September 30, 20172018 was due tocomprised of the acquisition of Absolute. following items:

(in thousands)
  Performance Improvement Solutions  Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting  Total 
Balance, January 1, 2018 $-  $8,431  $8,431 
Acquisition  3,754   -   3,754 
Balance, September 30, 2018 $3,754  $8,431  $12,185 

No events or circumstances occurred during the current reporting period that would indicate impairment of such goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets.goodwill.

As discussed in Note 4, we recognized finite-livedAmortization of intangible assets of $3.3 million upon acquisition of Absolute on September 20, 2017. Amortization of finite-lived intangible assetsother than goodwill is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the intangible assets, except for contract backlog and contractual customer relationships which are recognized in proportion to the related projected revenue streams. Intangible assets with definite lives are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. The Company does not have any intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, other than goodwill. There were no indications of impairment of intangible assets during the current reporting period. The increase in intangible assets during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was due to the acquisition of True North. See Note 4, Acquisitions for details.

16

10.11.Fair Value of Financial Instruments

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820")820), 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.

TheAt September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the Company considers the recorded value of certain of its financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, to approximate fair value based upon their short-term nature.

As discussed in Note 14, Debt, we issued a new term loan to finance the fairacquisition of True North. As of September 30, 2018, the carrying amount of the long-term debt was $9.0 million. The carrying value of the respective assets and liabilities at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, Company's long-term debt approximated its fair value based uponon Level 2 inputs since the short-term nature ofdebt carries a variable interest rate that is tied to the assets and liabilities.current LIBOR rate plus an applicable spread.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, the Company did not have any transfers between fair value Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.  The Company did not hold any non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis at September 30, 2017.2018.

18

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value at September 30, 2017:2018:

(in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Total 
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Total 
                       
Money market funds$3,238 $- $- $3,238 $852  $-  $-  $852 
Foreign exchange contracts -  280  -  280  -   14   -   14 
Total assets$3,238 $280 $- $3,518 $852  $14  $-  $866 
                           
Foreign exchange contracts$- $- $- $-
Contingent consideration -  -  (1,691)  (1,691)
Liability awards $-  $(404) $-  $(404)
Interest rate swap contract  -   (39)  -   (39)
Total liabilities$- $- $(1,691) $(1,691) $-  $(443) $-  $(443)
                

Money market funds at both September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 are included in cash and cash equivalents in the respective consolidated balance sheets.

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2016:2017:

(in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Total 
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Total 
                   
Money market funds$16,435 $- $- $16,435 $3,240  $-  $-  $3,240 
Foreign exchange contracts -  141  -  141  -   201   -   201 
Total assets$16,435 $141 $- $16,576 $3,240  $201  $-  $3,441 
                           
Foreign exchange contracts$- $(20) $- $(20)
Liability awards $-  $(242) $-  $(242)
Contingent consideration -  -  (2,105)  (2,105)  -   -   (1,701)  (1,701)
Total liabilities$- $(20) $(2,105) $(2,125) $-  $(242) $(1,701) $(1,943)
                

The following table provides a roll-forward of the fair value of the contingent consideration categorized as Level 3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:2018:

(in thousands)    
    
     
Balance, January 1, 2017$2,105
Balance, January 1, 2018 $1,701 
Payments made on contingent liabilities (850)  (1,701)
Change in fair value 436  - 
Balance, September 30, 2017$1,691
Balance, September 30, 2018 $- 


1917


11.12.Derivative Instruments

In the normal course of business, our operations are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency values and interest rate changes. We may seek to control a portion of these risks through a risk management program that includes the use of derivative instruments.

Foreign Currency Risk Management

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 to reduce the impact of these exposures. The Company minimizesrates and minimize credit exposure by limiting counterparties to nationally recognized financial institutions.

As of September 30, 2017,2018, the Company had foreign exchange contracts outstanding of approximately 212.5112.5 million Japanese Yen, 0.23.2 million Euro, and 0.2 million Australian Dollars at fixed rates. The contracts expire on various dates through December 2018. At December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had contracts outstanding of approximately 281.4162.5 million Japanese Yen, 0.124,000 Euro, and 0.2 million Euro, 0.6 million Australian Dollars, and 0.5 million Canadian Dollars at fixed rates.

Interest Rate Risk Management

As discussed in Note 14, Debt, the Company entered into a new term loan to finance the acquisition of True North in May. The loan bears interest at adjusted one-month LIBOR plus a margin ranging between 2% and 2.75% depending on the overall leverage ratio of the Company. As part of our overall risk management policies, in June 2018, the Company entered into a pay-fixed, receive-floating interest rate swap contract with a notional amount of $9.0 million to reduce the impact associated with interest rate fluctuations. The notional value amortizes monthly in equal amounts based on the five-year principal repayment terms. The terms of the swap require the Company to pay interest on the basis of a fixed rate of 3.02%, and GSE will receive interest on the basis of one-month USD-LIBOR-BBA-Bloomberg.

The Company reports all derivatives at fair value. These contracts are recognized as either assets or liabilities, depending upon the derivative's fair value. The estimated net fair values of the derivative contracts on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

  September 30,  December 31, 
(in thousands) 2018  2017 
       
Prepaid expenses and other current assets      
Foreign exchange contracts $14  $201 
Total asset derivatives  14   201 
         
Other liabilities        
Interest rate swaps  (39)  - 
Total liability derivatives  (39)  - 
         
Net fair value $(25) $201 
         

The Company has not designated the foreign exchangederivative contracts as hedges and recorded the estimated net fair values of the contracts on the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

 September 30, December 31,
(in thousands)2017 2016
      
Asset derivatives     
Prepaid expenses and other current assets$133 $57
Other assets 147  84
  280  141
Liability derivatives     
Other current liabilities -  (20)
  -  (20)
      
Net fair value$280 $121

hedges. The changes in the fair value of the foreign exchangederivative contracts are included in (loss) gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net, 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 (loss) gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net, in the consolidated statements of operations.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, the Company recognized a net (loss) gain (loss) on its derivative instruments as outlined below:

Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
Three months ended
September 30,
  
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016 2018  2017  2018  2017 
                       
Interest rate swap - change in fair value $(28) $-  $(39) $- 
Foreign exchange contracts-change in fair value$74 $(125) $145 $(302)  (14)  74   (178)  145 
Remeasurement of related contract receivables, billings in excess of revenue earned, and subcontractor accruals (3)  (86)  81  (44)  (17)  (3)  (89)  81 
                        
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net$71 $(211) $226 $(346)
(Loss) gain on derivative instruments, net $(59) $71  $(306) $226 


2018


12.13.Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all equity-based compensation awards issued to employees and directors that are expected to vest. Compensation cost is based on the fair value of awards as of the grant date. The Company recognized $0.5$0.4 million and $0.4$0.5 million of stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively, and recognized $1.8$1.4 million and $0.9$1.8 million of stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.respectively, under the fair value method. In addition to the equity-based compensation expense recognized, the Company also recognized $92,000$105,000 and $80,000$92,000 of stock-based compensation related to the change in the fair value of cash-settled restricted stock units ("RSUs")(RSUs) during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded an expense of $165,000 and a net reduction of $80,000 in the fair value of cash-settled RSUs, respectively.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, the Company granted 0 and 388,526 time-based RSUs with an aggregate fair value of $0.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company did not grant market-based RSUs. For the threegranted 0 and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company granted 1,162,500 and 1,322,500 market-based RSUs with an aggregate fair value of $1.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively. In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, the RSUs are considered market-based because they vest upon the achievement of a specified price of the Company's shares. The fair value of the RSUs is expensed ratably over the requisite service period, which ranges between one and five years.

The market-based RSUs granted during 2016 include 450,000 RSUs, which were canceled and reissued in accordance with the Chief Executive Officer's amended employment agreement dated July 1, 2016 and approved by the Board of Directors. The aggregate fair value of the RSUs reissued totaled $469,000.

Additionally, on July 1, 2016, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the market-based RSU agreements with other employees, which reduced the time period from 90 to 30 consecutive trading days during which the volume weighted-average price ("VWAP") target must be attained in order for the RSUs to vest. This change resulted in an increase in the fair value of the RSUs granted of approximately $250,000, which will be expensed ratably over the remaining requisite service period.

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company did not grant time-based RSUs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company granted 396,677 time-based RSUs with an aggregate fair value of $0.0 million and $1.4 million.million, respectively. A portion of the time-based RSUs vested immediately, a portion will vest quarterly in equal amounts over the course of eight quarters, a portion will vest one year after grant and the remainder will vest annually in equal amounts over the course of three years. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company granted 70,000 and 204,824 time-based RSUs with an aggregate fair value of $172,300 and $471,650, respectively. The fair value of the time-based RSUs is expensed ratably over the requisite service period,. which ranges from one to three years.

The Company did not grant stock options during the three or nine month periods ended September 30, 2017. The Company did not grant any options during the three month period ended September 30, 2016, and granted 40,000 stock options during the nine month period ended September 30, 2016. The fair value of the options granted duringDuring the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $46,000.2018 and 2017, the Company did not grant performance-based RSUs or stock options.


2119


13.14.Debt

Line of Credit

Citizens Bank

The Company entered into a three-year, $5.0 million revolving line of credit facility ("RLOC")(RLOC) with Citizens Bank, National Association (the Bank) on December 29, 2016, to fund general working capital needs, including acquisitions. Working capital advances bear interest of one-month LIBOR plus 2.25% per annumneeds. On May 11, 2018, GSE and letter ofPerformance Solutions (collectively, the Borrower) entered into an Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement (the Credit Agreement) with the Bank, amending and restating the Company's existing Credit and Security Agreement with the Bank, which included a $5.0 million asset-based revolving credit fees are 1.25% per annum. The Company isfacility between the Borrower and the Bank, to now include (a) a $5.0 million revolving credit facility not required to maintain a restricted cash collateral account at Citizens Bank for outstanding letters of credit and working capital advances. 

The maximum availability under the RLOC is subject to a borrowing base, equalincluding a letter of credit sub-facility, and (b) a $25.0 million delayed draw term loan facility available to 80%be drawn upon for up to 18 months and to finance certain permitted acquisitions by the Borrower. The credit facilities mature in five years and bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin that varies depending on the overall leverage ratio of eligible accounts receivable,the Borrower and is reducedits subsidiaries. Revolving loans are interest-only with principal due at maturity, while term loans require monthly payments of principal and interest based on an amortization schedule. The Borrower's obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by GSE's wholly-owned subsidiaries Hyperspring, Absolute, and True North and by any future material domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the Guarantors). The credit facilities are secured by liens on all assets of the Borrower and the Guarantors.

RLOC

We intend to continue using the RLOC for any issuedshort-term working capital needs and outstandingthe issuance of letters of credit in connection with business operations. Letter of credit issuance fees range between 1.25% and working capital advances.  2% depending on the Company's overall leverage ratio, and the Company pays an unused RLOC fee quarterly based on the average daily unused balance.

At September 30, 2017,2018, there were no outstanding borrowings onunder the RLOC and sixfive letters of credit totaling $1.7$2.3 million. We have two letters of credit with Citizen Bank totaling $0.4 million, which have expired and are pending release by the bank and customer. The amount available at September 30, 2017,2018, after consideration of the borrowing base, letters of credit and working capital advances was approximately $3.3$2.7 million.

Term Loan

As discussed in Note 4, Acquisitions, we acquired True North on May 11, 2018 for total consideration of approximately $9.9 million in cash. We drew down $10.3 million to finance the acquisition of True North, $0.5 million of which was repaid to the Bank on the same day. The creditloan bears interest at the adjusted one-month LIBOR plus a margin ranging between 2% and 2.75% depending on the overall leverage ratio of the Company and matures in five years. We also incurred $70,000 debt issuance costs and $75,000 loan origination fees related to the Credit Agreement. Debt issuance costs and loan origination fees are reported as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the loan and are amortized over the term of the loan using the effective interest method.

At September 30, 2018, the outstanding long-term debt under the delayed draw term loan facility agreement is subjectwas as follows:
    
Long-term debt, net of discount $8,990 
Less: current portion of long-term debt  (1,901)
Long-term debt, less current portion $7,089 

The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants and restrictions typical for a financing of this type that, among other things, require the Borrower to standardsatisfy certain financial covenants and reporting requirements.restrict the Borrower's and Guarantors' ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends and make distributions, make certain investments and acquisitions, repurchase its stock and prepay certain indebtedness, create liens, enter into agreements with affiliates, modify the nature of its business, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, transfer and sell material assets and merge or consolidate. Non-compliance with one or more of the covenants and restrictions after any applicable grace period could result in the obligations under the Credit Agreement becoming immediately due and payable and termination of the credit facilities. In addition to non-compliance with covenants and restrictions, the Credit Agreement also contains other customary events of default. If an event of default under the Credit Agreement occurs and is continuing, then the Bank may declare the obligations under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable and may terminate the credit facilities. At September 30, 2017,2018, the Company was in compliance with its financial covenants.

BB&T Bank

At September 30, 2017, the Company had three letters of credit with BB&T totaling $0.9 million, which have expired and are pending release by the bank and customer.  At September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the cash collateral account with BB&T totaled $1.0$0.0 million and $1.1$1.0 million, respectively. The balances were classified as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets.

20

14.15.Product Warranty

The Company accrues for estimated warranty costs at the time the related revenue is recognized based on historical experience and projected claims. The Company's long-termSDB contracts generally provide for a one-year base warranty on parts, labor and any bug fixes as it relates to customized software embedded in the systems. The portion of the warranty provision expected to be incurred within 12 months is classified as current within accrued warranty and totals $1.3$1.1 million, while the remaining $0.5$0.6 million is classified as long-term within other liabilities. The activity in the accrued warranty accounts is as follows:

(in thousands)    
    
Balance, January 1, 2017$1,478
Balance, January 1, 2018 $1,953 
Current period provision 474  (73)
Current period claims (194)  (183)
Currency adjustment 11  (10)
Balance at September 30, 2017$1,769
Balance at September 30, 2018 $1,687 

22


15.16.Revenue

We generate revenue primarily through three broad revenue streams: 1) SDB, 2) Software, and 3) Training and Consulting Services. We recognize revenue from SDB and software contracts mainly through the Performance Improvement Solutions segment and the training and consulting service contracts through both the Performance Improvement Solutions segment and Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment.

The following table represents a disaggregation of revenue by type of goods or services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, along with the reportable segment for each category:

(in thousands)

  Three months ended September 30,  Nine months ended September 30, 
  2018  
2017 (1)
  2018  
2017 (1)
 
Performance Improvement Solutions segment            
System Design and Build $5,109  $5,736  $19,904  $21,828 
Software  586   889   2,001   2,436 
Training and Consulting Services  4,154   2,112   8,709   5,829 
                 
Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment                
Training and Consulting Services  11,952   6,672   38,780   18,783 
                 
Total revenue $21,801  $15,409  $69,394  $48,876 

(1) Prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective transition method for the adoption of ASC 606.

SDB contracts are typically fixed-priced, and we receive payments based on a billing schedule as established in our contracts. The transaction price for software contracts is generally fixed. Fees for software are normally due in advance of or shortly after delivery of the software. Fees for PCS are normally paid in advance of the service period. For Training and Consulting Services, the customers are generally billed on a regular basis, such as weekly, biweekly or monthly, for services provided. Contract liability, which we classify as billing in excess of revenue earned, relates to payments received in advance of performance under the contract. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue as performance obligations are satisfied.

The following table reflects the balance of contract liabilities and the revenue recognized in the reporting period that was included in the contract liabilities from contracts with customers:

(in thousands)
  September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
Billings in excess of revenue earned (BIE) $7,810  $14,543 
Revenue recognized in the period from amounts included in BIE at the beginning of the period $9,934   N/A 

For an SDB contract, we generally have two main performance obligations: the training simulator build and PCS. The training simulator build generally includes hardware, software, and labor. We recognize the training simulator build revenue over the construction and installation period using the cost-to-cost input method. In applying the cost-to-cost input method, we use the actual costs incurred to date relative to the total estimated costs to measure the work progress toward the completion of the performance obligation and recognize revenue accordingly. Estimated contract costs are reviewed and revised periodically as the work progresses, and the cumulative effect of any change in estimates is recognized in the period in which the change is identified. Estimated losses are recognized in the period such losses are identified. 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.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recognized revenue of $1.1 million related to performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.

As of September 30, 2018, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations of SDB, software and fixed-price training and consulting services contracts is $49.6 million. The Company will recognize the revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied, which is expected to occur over the next 12 months.

Part of the training and consulting services contracts are T&M based. Under a typical T&M contract, the Company is compensated based on the number of hours of approved time provided by temporary workers and the bill rates, which are fixed per type of work, as well as approved expenses incurred. As part of our adoption of ASU 2014-09, we have elected to use the optional exemption under ASC 606-10-50-14(b), pursuant to which we have excluded disclosures of transaction prices allocated to remaining performance obligations under such contracts and when we expect to recognize the revenue.

21

17.Income Taxes

The following table presents the (benefit) provision for income taxes and the effective tax rates:

(in thousands)
Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
Three months ended
September 30,
  
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
2017 2016  2017 2016 2018  2017  2018  2017 
                       
Provision for income taxes$92 $80 $399 $275 $314  $92  $124  $399 
Effective tax rate (17.9)%  32.3%  112.4 %  39.7%  (153.9)%  (17.9)%  (13.6)%  112.4%

The Company's income tax (benefit) provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items arising in that quarter. Tax expense in both periods2018 is comprised mainly of federal income tax expense, foreign income tax expense, and state taxes. Tax expense in 2017 is comprised mainly of foreign income tax expense, Alternative Minimum Tax, state taxes, and deferred tax expense relating to the tax amortization of goodwill.

Our effective tax rates were (153.9)% and (13.6%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the difference between our effective tax rate of (153.9)% and the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21% was primarily due to permanent differences, accruals related to uncertain tax positions for certain foreign tax contingencies, discrete item adjustments for the foreign taxes, and return to provision true-ups which were known as of September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the difference between the effective tax rate of (13.6)% and the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21% was primarily due to changes in jurisdictional income and the inclusion of income (loss) from an acquisition in the second quarter of 2018.

Because of its net operating loss carryforwards, the Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations from the year 1997 and forward. The Company is subject to foreign tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2011 forward for Sweden, 20142015 forward for China, and 2015 forward for both India, and 2016 for the UK.

An uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is recognized in the consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50%) 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 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense.  The Company recorded uncertain tax positions for certain foreign tax contingencies in China, South Korea, and Ukraine.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it is believed that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. The Company has evaluated all positive and negative evidence and determined that it will continue to assess a full valuation allowance on its U.S.,Chinese, Swedish U.K., and ChineseU.K. net deferred assets as of September 30, 2017.2018. The Company has determined that it is more likely than not that it will realize the benefits of its deferred taxes in the U.S. and India.  In 2016,

The Company follows the guidance in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (SAB 118), which provides additional clarification regarding the application of ASC 740 in situations where the Company paiddoes not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act for the reporting period in which the Act was enacted. SAB 118 provides for a measurement period beginning in the reporting period that includes the Act's enactment date and ending when the Company has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information needed in order to complete the accounting requirements but in no circumstances should the measurement period extend beyond one year of the enactment date. The Company will complete the remeasurement of its deferred taxes at December 31, 2018.

The Company recognizes the tax on GILTI as a period cost in the period the tax is incurred. Under this policy, we have not provided deferred taxes related to temporary differences that upon their reversal will affect the amount of income subject to GILTI in the period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, there is no GILTI inclusion.

The Company has made an entity classification (CTB) election to treat GSE UK as a disregarded entity effective January 1, 2018. Therefore, as of January 1, 2018, GSE UK is treated as a branch of the US for tax purposes. Accordingly, GSE UK's 2018 activity has been included in the US Company's income tax (benefit) provision.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the Company identified an immaterial error of $1.2 million, or $0.06 per share, in the December 31, 2017 financial statements related to the release of the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets attributable to windfall tax benefits recognized upon the adoption of ASU 2016-09. The portion relating to ASU 2016-09 should have been recorded to the consolidated statement of operations as an increase to our benefit for income taxes with a resulting increase to net income during the year ended December 31, 2017, however, the adjustment was recorded to accumulated deficit in India and expectsthe consolidated statement of changes in stockholders' equity. This had no impact to do so again inthe ending accumulated deficit balance at December 31, 2017.
Additionally, the Company identified a $0.7 million classification error between deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability at December 31, 2017 due to improper netting of deferred taxes by jurisdiction. Accordingly, we reclassified $0.7 million of deferred tax liabilities, which was included in other liabilities to deferred tax assets in our December 31, 2017 consolidated balance sheet.
The Company evaluated the required changes and determined that their impact was not material. The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 will reflect the correct comparative data.

2322


16.18.Segment Information

The Company has two reportable business segments. The Performance Improvement Solutions segment provides simulation, training and engineering products and services delivered across the breadth of industries we serve. Solutions include simulation for both training and engineering applications. Example training applications include turnkey and custom training services, while engineering services include, but not limited to, plant design verification and validation.validation, thermal performance evaluation and optimization programs, and engineering programs for plants for ASME code and ASME Section XI. The Company provides these services across all market segments. ContractsExample training applications include turnkey and custom training services. Contract terms are typically range from nine months to 24 months.  The Company and its predecessors have been providing these services since 1976.less than two years.

The Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment provides specialized workforce solutions primarily to the nuclear industry, working at clients' facilities. This business is managed through our Hyperspring and newly acquired Absolute subsidiaries. The business model, management focus, margins and other factors clearly separate this business line from the rest of the GSE product and service portfolio.  The Company and its predecessors have been providing these services since 1997.

On September 20, 2017, the Company acquired Absolute Consulting, Inc.As discussed in Note 4, Acquisitions, now a wholly-owned subsidiary ofon May 11, 2018, GSE, through Performance Solutions, Inc., for $8.9 million.  Absolute Consulting, Inc.entered into the True North Purchase Agreement to purchase 100% of the membership interests in True North. True North is a provider of technical consulting and staffingengineering solutions to nuclear and fossil fuel power plants with an emphasis on regulatory-driven ASME code programs. The acquisition of True North is expected to broaden our engineering services offering, expand our relationships with several of the globallargest nuclear power industryenergy providers in the United States, and employs approximately 200 professionals with expertise in procedures writing, engineering, technical support, project management, training, project controls, and corrective actions.  This acquisition bringsadd a natural adjacencyhighly specialized, complimentary talent pool to GSE, fits well with our growth strategy, and benefits our customers from expanded capabilities and offerings.employee base. For reporting purposes, Absolute Consulting, Inc. was aggregated with Hyperspring intoTrue North is included in our Nuclear Industry Training and ConsultingPerformance Improvement Solutions segment due to similarities in services provided including training and staff augmentationtechnical engineering solutions to the nuclear energyand fossil fuel power sector. In addition, both entities will report to the same management team and share support staff such as sales, recruiting and business development.  As such, 100% of the goodwill acquired was allocated toreport date, the Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment.Company is still evaluating the impact of the True North acquisition on our reporting units.

The following table sets forth the revenue and operating results attributable to each reportable segment and includes a reconciliation of segment revenue to consolidated revenue and operating results to consolidated income before income taxes:

(in thousands)
Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
Three months ended
September 30,
  
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
2017 2016�� 2017 2016 2018  2017  2018  2017 
                       
Revenue:                       
Performance Improvement Solutions$8,737 $10,215 $30,093 $27,382 $9,849  $8,737  $30,614  $30,093 
Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting 6,672  4,213  18,783  12,438  11,952   6,672   38,780   18,783 
 15,409  14,428  48,876  39,820  21,801   15,409   69,394   48,876 
                           
Operating income:                           
Performance Improvement Solutions (1,545)  (413)  (1,885)  (890)  494   (892)  110   (6)
Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting 1,052  321  2,394  1,395  (520)  339   (584)  455 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration, net (139)  525  (436)  370  -   (79)  -   (376)
                           
Operating (loss) income (632)  433  73  875  (26)  (632)  (474)  73 
                           
Interest income, net 15  11  60  52
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net 71  (211)  226  (346)
Other income (expense), net 33  15  (4)  112
Interest (expense) income, net  (114)  15   (153)  60 
(Loss) gain on derivative instruments, net  (59)  71   (306)  226 
Other (expense) income, net  (5)  33   24   (4)
(Loss) income before income taxes$(513) $248 $355 $693 $(204) $(513) $(909) $355 

Effective January 2018, and due to the acquisition of Absolute, the Performance Improvement Solutions allocated corporate overhead to the Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, a total of $1.3 million and $0.7 million of corporate overhead, respectively, was allocated to Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, a total of $3.4 million and $1.9 million of corporate overhead, respectively, was allocated to Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment. Prior period amounts were reclassified to reflect the change.

19.Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets:

  September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
Cash and cash equivalents $9,831  $19,111 
Restricted cash  9   960 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $9,840  $20,071 

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

GSE is a world leaderleading provider of professional and technical engineering, staffing services, and simulation software to clients in real-time high-fidelity simulation, providing a wide range of simulation, training, and engineering solutions to the global power and process industries. We provide customers with simulation, engineering and plant services that help clients reduce risks associated with operating their plants, increase revenue through improved plant and employee performance, and lower costs through improved operational efficiency. In addition, we provide professional services that systematically help clients fill key vacancies in the organization on a short-term basis, primarily in procedures, engineering, technical support, and training professionals focused on regulatory compliance and certification in the nuclear power industry. Our operations also include interactive computer-based tutorials and simulation software for the refining, chemical, and petrochemical industries.

On September 20, 2017, the CompanyMay 11, 2018, GSE acquired AbsoluteTrue North Consulting, Inc.,LLC, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSE Performance Solutions, Inc., for $8.9$9.75 million (subject to acustomary pre- and post-closing working capital adjustment)adjustments). Absolute Consulting, Inc.True North is a provider of technical consulting and staffingengineering solutions to nuclear and fossil fuel power plants with an emphasis on regulatory-driven ASME code programs. Located in Montrose, Colorado, True North is a well-regarded service provider to leading companies in the globalpower industry. The acquisition of True North is expected to broaden our engineering services offering, expand our relationships with several of the largest nuclear power industryenergy providers in the United States, and employs approximately 200 professionals with expertise in procedures writing, engineering, technical support, project management, training, project controls, and corrective actions.  This acquisition bringsadd a natural adjacencyhighly specialized, complimentary talent pool to GSE, fits well with our growth strategy, and benefits our customers from expanded capabilities and offerings.employee base.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") that are based on management's assumptions, expectations and projections about us, and the industry within which we operate, and that have been made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 reflecting our expectations regarding our future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "estimate", "intend", "may", "plan", "potential", "predict", "expect", "should", "will" and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may also use different phrases. These statements regarding our expectations reflect our current beliefs and are based on information currently available to us. Accordingly, these statements by their nature are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those listed under Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, which could cause our actual growth, results, performance and business prospects and opportunities to differ from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. Except as otherwise required by federal securities law, we are not obligated to update or revise these forward looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. We caution you that a variety of factors, including but not limited to the factors described under Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, could cause our business conditions and results to differ materially from what is contained in forward-looking statements.

Other factors and assumptions not identified above were also involved in the formation of these forward-looking statements and the failure of such other assumptions to be realized, as well as other factors, may also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  Most of these factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond our control. You should consider the areas of risk described in Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K in connection with any forward-looking statements that may be made by us. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we make in proxy statements, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.


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General Business Environment

We operate through two reportable business segments: Performance Improvement Solutions and Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting. Each segment focuses on delivering solutions to customers within our targeted markets - primarily the power and process industries. Marketing and communications, accounting, finance, legal, human resources, information systems and other administrative services are organized at the corporate level. Business development and sales resources are generally aligned with each segment to support existing customer accounts and new customer development.  The following is a description of our business segments:

Performance Improvement Solutions (approximately 62%44% of revenue)

Our Performance Improvement Solutions segment primarily encompasses our power plant high-fidelity simulation solutions, as well astechnical engineering solutionsservices for ASME programs and thermal performance optimization, and interactive computer based tutorials/simulation focused on the process industry. This segment includes various simulation products, engineering services, and operation training systems delivered across the industries we serve: primarily nuclear and fossil fuel power generation, as well as the process industries. Our simulation solutions include the following: (1) simulation software and services, including operator training systems, for the nuclear power industry, (2) simulation software and services, including operator training systems, for the fossil power industry, and (3) simulation software and services for the process industries used to teach fundamental industry processes and control systems to newly hired employees and for ongoing workforce development and training. GSE and its predecessors have been providing these services since 1976.

Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting (approximately 38%56% of revenue)

Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting provides highly specialized and skilled nuclear operations instructors, procedure writers, technical engineers, and other consultants to the nuclear power industry. These employees work at our clients' facilities under client direction. Examples of these highly skilled positions are senior reactor operations instructors, procedure writers, project managers, work management specialists, planners and training material developers. This business is managed through our Hyperspring and the newly acquired Absolute subsidiaries. The business model, management focus, margins and other factors clearly separate this business line from the rest of the Company's product and service portfolio. GSE and its predecessors have been providing these services since 1997.
2625

Business Strategy

Our objective is to provide a powerful technology-enabled engineering and training/consulting services platform forfocused primarily on the nuclear power industry. We offer our differentiated suite of products and services to adjacent markets such as fossil power and the process industries where our offerings are a natural fit with a clear and compelling value proposition for the market. Our primary growth strategy is twofold: (1) seek acquisitions to accelerate our overall growth in a manner that is complementary to our core business and (2) expand organically within our core markets by leveraging our market leadership position and drive increased usage and product adoption via new products and services. To accomplish this, we will pursue the following activities:

Pursue strategic acquisitions opportunistically.roll-up acquisition strategy. We intend to complement our organic growth strategy through selective acquisitions of otherincluding, but not limited to, the following: technical engineering as well asengineering; training, staffing and consulting service businesses focused on the power industry, value added components for theparticularly nuclear industry,power; and software utilized in the power industry, both domestic and international. We are focusing our efforts on acquisitions that would enhance our existing portfolio of products and services, strengthen our relationships with our existing customers, and potentially expand our footprint to include new customers in our core served industries. We have made several acquisitions since 20102011 and believe the opportunity exists to acquire businesses that are complementary to ours, allowing us to accelerate our growth strategy.

In January 2011,May 2018, we acquired True North, a software company called EnVision Systems Inc., which provided interactive multi-media tutorials and simulation models, primarilyleading provider of specialty engineering solutions to the process industries.  We have integratednuclear power industry. In September 2017, we acquired Absolute, a provider of technical consulting and staffing solutions to the technology assets from this acquisitionglobal nuclear power industry. The acquisitions of Absolute and expandedTrue North are expected to strengthen the firm's applicationCompany's global leadership in the nuclear services area. The acquisitions added new capabilities to other industries,the GSE solution offering and we intendbring new highly complementary customers to repeat this successful process.GSE, while at the same time deepening GSE relationships with existing clients. The acquisitions of Absolute and True North are a significant proof point of the thesis that GSE is a compelling platform for consolidating a fragmented vendor ecosystem for nuclear power. In November 2014, we acquired Hyperspring, which enabled GSE to offer highly skilled nuclear operations and consulting personnel with unique know-how on site at a large segment ofto our client base on an operational basis providing essential services.of nuclear power plants. This deepened our relationship with existing clients and won business for us at new client sites in the nuclear industry. This acquisition has proven to be synergistic, enabling cross selling domestically, and in 2015, the expansion of these offerings to international customers for the first time. In September 2017, we acquired Absolute, a provider of technical consulting and staffing solutions to the global nuclear power industry, located in Navarre, Florida. The acquisition of Absolute is expected to strengthen the Company's global leadership in nuclear training and consulting solutions andacquisitions add new capacities to solution offering and bring highly complementary customers, while deepening GSE relationships with existing clients. The acquisition of Absolute is a significant proof point of the thesis that GSE is a compelling platform for consolidating a fragmented vendor ecosystem for nuclear power.  The acquisition adds significant scale and focus to the business, while positioning GSE as a "go to" provider of technical and consulting solutions to the power industry, in particular nuclear power.

Expand our total addressable market. Our focus on growth means introducing product capabilities or new product and service categories that create value for our customers and therefore expand our total addressable market. Currently we are working on initiatives to expand our solution offerings in both our business segments which may include, but not be limited to, the following: expanding our software product portfolio to the industries we serve with enhanced power and process simulation tools and systems that are complementary to our core offerings; delivering enhanced learning management systems/solutions; offering fully outsourced training solutions to our customers; adding work flow process improvement solutions; and tailoring operational reporting and business intelligence solutions to address the unique need of our end user markets.markets; and adding new services to broaden our market reach.

Initiatives such as these will broaden our scope and enable us to engage more deeply with the segments we serve. Recently, weWe have delivered a compelling new solution, the GSE GPWRTM Generic Pressurized Water Reactor simulation technology, proving that our modeling technology can be sold via traditional license terms and conditions to the nuclear industry ecosystem. We have both upgraded and expanded the EnVisionEnVision™ library of simulation and eLearning tutorials for the process industries with specific new products for training clients in the upstream segment of the oil and gas industry.industry including launching a new cloud-based training platform, EnVision™ Learning On-Demand, that significantly extends the capabilities of its industry leading EnVision™ tutorials and simulations. We continue to provide cutting edge training systems by adapting our technology to systems to meet the specific needs of customers such as U.S. government laboratories.
27


Research and development (R&D).We invest in R&D in order to deliver unique solutions that add value to our end-user markets. We have delivered nuclear core and Balance-of-Plant modeling and visualization systems to the industry. To address the nuclear industry's need for more accurate simulation of both normal and accident scenarios, we provide our DesignEP®DesignEP® and RELAP5-HD®RELAP5-HD® solutions. Our entire JADETM suite of simulation software, including industry leading JTOPMERET®JTOPMERET® and JElectricTM software, provides the most accurate simulation of Balance-of-Plant and electrical systems available to the nuclear and fossil plant simulation market. The significant enhancements we have made to our SimExec®SimExec® and OpenSimTM platforms enables customers to be more efficient in the daily operation of their simulators. We are bringing SimExec® SimExec® and OpenSimTMtogether into a next generation unified environment that will add new capabilities as requested by clients and driven by market need.

We intend to continue to make prudentpragmatic and measured investments in R&D that first and foremost are driven by the market, and are complementary to advancing our growth strategy. Such investments in R&D may result in on-going enhancement of existing solutions as well as the creation of new solutions to serve our target markets, ensuring that we add greater value, in an easier to use fashion, at lower cost of ownership than any alternative available to customers. GSE has pioneered a number of industry standards over our lifetime and will continue to be one of the most innovative companies in our industry.

Strengthen and develop our talent.talent. Our experienced employees and management team are our most valuable resources. Attracting, training, and retaining top talent is critical to our success. To achieve our talent goals, we intend to remain focused on providing our employees with entrepreneurial opportunities to increase client contact within their areas of expertise and to expand our business within our service offerings. We will also continue to provide our employees with training, personal and professional growth opportunities, performance-based incentives including opportunities for stock ownership, bonuses and competitive benefits as benchmarked to our industry and locations.

Continue to deliver industry-recognized high-quality services. We have developed a strong reputation for quality services based upon our industry-recognized depth of experience, ability to attract and retain quality professionals, and expertise across multiple service sectors. We have received many industry certificates and awards including being recognized for outstanding work on projects by Bechtel's Nuclear, Security & Environmental global business unit (NS&E) at the Bechtel Supply Chain Recognition awards in April 2016. In addition, we have a recognized high-value brand as one of the most respected providers of software and services to the nuclear industry, as evidenced by our marquee client base and significant market wins over the past year.years. A recently conducted survey of clients with projects underway and/or just delivered validates our brand with a Net Promoter Score of +65,+72, a compelling score for an industrial technology and services company.

Expand international operations in selected markets. We believe there are additional opportunities for us to market our software and services to international customers, and to do so in a cost-effective manner. For example, we believe partnerships with Value Added Resellers (VAR) could significantly expand our sales pipeline for the EnVisionEnVision™ software suite. In 2016, we entered into a reseller agreement with an entity in the Middle East that has an established track record of success selling simulation and workforce development solutions to the process industries throughout the region. Such VARs may yield positive results for our pursuit of international nuclear opportunities globally (see industry trends below). We may explore the creation of appropriate joint ventures to target nuclear new-build and maintenance programs in key growth regions.

Employees.  As of September 30, 2017,2018, we had approximately 476447 employees, which includes approximately 184192 in our Performance Improvement segment and 292approximately 255 in our Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment. In addition, we have approximately 100 licensed engineers and other advanced degreed professionals. To date, we have been able to locate and engage highly qualified employees as needed and we expect our growth efforts to be addressed through attracting top talent.

Backlog.  As of September 30, 2017,2018, we had approximately $76.4$74.0 million of total gross revenue backlog, which included $51.8$50.8 million of Performance Improvement Solutions backlog and $24.6$23.2 million of Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting backlog, $12.7 million of which was attributable to the Absolute acquisition. backlog. With respect to our backlog, it includes only those amounts that have been funded and authorized and does not reflect the full amounts we may receive over the term of such contracts. Our backlog includes future expected revenue at contract rates, excluding contract renewals or extensions that are at the discretion of the client.  We calculate backlog without regard to possible project reductions or expansions or potential cancellations unless and until such changes may occur.

Backlog is expressed in terms of gross revenue and, therefore, may include significant estimated amounts of third-party or pass-through costs to subcontractors and other parties.  Because backlog is not a defined accounting term, our computation of backlog may not necessarily be comparable to that of our industry peers.

28

Industry Trends

Industry need for building and sustaining a highly skilled workforce

We believe a critical ongoing challenge facing the industries we serve is access to, and continued development of, a highly trained and efficient workforce. This challenge manifests primarily in two ways: the increasing pace at which industry knowledge and experience are lost as a significant percentage of the existing experienced workforce reaches retirement age and the fact that as new power plants come on-line, there is an increased demand for more workers to staff and operate those plants.

According to Power Engineering magazine (December 2014), in the United States every sector in the energy industry is expected to lose a large percentage of its workforce within the next few years as baby boomers retire on the traditional schedule.  The power sector alone will be forced to replace more than 100,000 skilled workers by 2018 simply to replace those retiring.  The Nuclear Energy Institute estimates that 39% of the nuclear workforce will be eligible to retire by 2018.  As the nuclear industry expands its fleet and strains to maintain the high standards of training the existing workforce, existing plant simulator systems, which provide a critical environment for training services, are often operating 24 hours a day. With workers retiring and the need to backfill as well as expand the workforce for new units, certain operators are exploring the opportunity to de-bottleneck their existing simulator capabilities through the creation of dual reference simulators.

According to the US Energy & Employment Report released in January 2017, the employment in the traditional energy and energy efficiency sectors increased by 55% in 2016, adding 300,000 net new jobs.  Electric power generation companies project a 7% growth in 2017 and the Nuclear Energy Institute projects 20,000 new position will be needed in the nuclear industry over the next 5 years.

Globally, as more people increase their standard of living, their demand for power will increase, which in turn will require the on-going construction of power plants to meet this surging demand.  Developing a skilled labor force to operate these plants and keeping their skills current and their certifications in compliance with regulatory requirements is a key challenge facing the global power industry.

29

Growing global power demand and the increasing emphasis on nuclear power

On September 28, 2017, United States Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry, directed the nation's federal grid regulator to create rules recognizing the critical value generated by nuclear power plants. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking stated that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must order grid operators to increase how they value "reliability and resilience attributes" in energy generation.  All licensed nuclear power plants and a significant portion of existing coal plants can meet those requirements today.

This would represent one of the most sweeping changes to the U.S. electricity supply market in the past two decades, and could be implemented before the coming winter heating season. The bottom line of this proposal is that eligible power sources will be able to participate in a details-to-be-determined rate structure that allows the owner to recover its "fully allocated costs" plus a "fair return on equity". If adopted, this would be terrific news for the nuclear power industry.

In addition, Secretary Perry announced a separate action to support and accelerate the development of new nuclear plants with conditional commitments of up to $3.7 billion in loan guarantees to the owners of the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Georgia.  Secretary Perry stated, "I believe the future of nuclear energy in the United States is bright and look forward to expanding American leadership in innovative nuclear technologies." "Advanced nuclear energy projects like Vogtle are the kind of important energy infrastructure projects that support a reliable and resilient grid, promote economic growth, and strengthen our energy and national security".

World Energy Outlook 2015 projects that electricity demand will increase by more than 70% over the time period from 2013 to 2040.  At the same time, countries globally are pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions despite this growth in demand for power.  These trends are increasingly favorable to nuclear power. The United Kingdom illustrates this trend, with a recently announced energy policy that places a much greater reliance on nuclear power and unveiled plans for a new nuclear fleet, while slashing subsidies for solar energy and seeking to phase out coal fired power plants.  With plans to build at least three new nuclear plants, the UK plans to add 16GWe of new nuclear capacity operating by 2030 according to World Nuclear Association.

There are currently 60 nuclear plants under construction in 16 countries, including 20 in China, seven in Russia, five in India and four in the United Arab Emirates per the Nuclear Energy Institute. Two reactors are currently under construction in the U.S. While SCANA stated it is discontinuing building its two reactors at the Summer Nuclear Power Site in South Carolina, Southern Nuclear is building two reactors at its Vogtle, Georgia site. With that said, the CEO of Santee Cooper, an owner of the Summer Nuclear Power Site, publicly stated in September 2017 he believes the plant could be completed at some point in the future. There is precedent in the US with TVA's Watt's Barr unit 2 being completed after a period of pause. Per the World Nuclear Association, there are 160 reactors in 23 countries in specific phases of planning that will be operating by 2030. This pace of construction is surpassing the peak construction velocity of the 1970s and 1980s.

For the existing nuclear U.S. fleet, there is recognition that these plants are essential to meeting goals of reducing carbon emissions even as renewable energy sources are introduced. This recognition of the importance of nuclear providing zero-carbon baseload is demonstrated most recently by the state of New York's Clean Energy Standard that values the emission-free energy of New York's nuclear fleet and in so doing providing an emissions-free subsidy of 1.7¢/kWh.  This subsidy helps ensure the state's existing nuclear plants remain economically viable in an era of low cost natural gas and even with wind and solar receiving a subsidy of 4.5¢/kWh.  In addition, the Illinois Legislature passed the Future Energy Jobs Bill on December 2, 2016, a measure that ensures the continued operation of the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear power plants in that state.  In a statement, the Nuclear Energy Institute said the bill's passage was a "remarkable moment" for the state and the nuclear industry. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the bill into law on December 7, 2016.  The Future Energy Jobs Bill provides Exelon and Commonwealth Edison with a $235 million annual credit for the carbon-free energy produced by the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear plants. The actions of New York and Illinois starts a trend which may continue to states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut to recognize the value of zero carbon power produced by nuclear plants in those states.  This would be similar to how the Renewable Portfolio Standard was rolled out across more than half the states in the U.S. to recognize the benefits of zero carbon renewable power.

In regulated markets where the economy is growing, the nuclear fleet is profitable and expanding, with two reactors under construction in the southeast U.S.  Longer term, the trends for nuclear power are favorable as well.  The U.S. Department of Energy recently released a draft plan to double America's nuclear power capacity by 2050.  The plan, dubbed "Vision 2050", promotes expanding America's nuclear capacity through advanced reactor designs including small and medium-size reactors.

As countries around the world recognize the importance of lowering carbon emissions from power generation, nuclear energy is an essential component of the solution.  India and the UK have recently announced plans to significantly expand nuclear power generation capacity through new builds.  China continues to aggressively build out its fleet.  In Japan, five reactors have restarted and up to 10 more should restart by end of March 2019 according to the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan.

We believe GSE is well positioned to take full advantage of these strategic global and domestic trends by providing high fidelity simulation and training solutions to the global power and process industries.
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Products and Services

Performance Improvement Solutions

To assist our clients in creating world-class internal training and engineering improvement processes, we offer a set of integrated and scalable products and services which provide a structured program focused on continuous skills improvement for experienced employees to engineering services, which include plant design verification and validation. We provide the right solutionsolutions to solve our clients' most pressing needs.

For workforce development and training, students and instructors alike must have a high degree of confidence that their power plant simulator truly reflects plant behavior across the entire range of operations. To achieve this, GSE's simulation solution starts with the most robust engineering approach possible. Using state-of-the-art modeling tools combined with our leading nuclear power modeling expertise, GSE provides simulation solutions that achieve unparalleled fidelity and accuracy. The solutions that GSE provides are also known for ease of use, resulting in increased productivity by end-users. For these reasons, GSE has delivered more nuclear power plant simulators than any other company in the world.

For virtual commissioning, designers of first-of-a-kind plants or existing plants need a highly accurate dynamic simulation platform to model a wide variety of design assumptions and concepts from control strategies to plant behavior to human factors. Because new builds and upgrades to existing plants result in new technology being deployed, often involving the integration of disparate technologies for the first time, a high-fidelity simulator allows designers to see the interaction between systems for the very first time. With our combination of simulation technology and expert engineering, GSE was chosen to build the first-of-a-kind simulators for the AP1000, PBMR, and small modular reactors such as those being built by NuScale, and mPower.NuScale.

Examples of the types of simulators we sell include, but are not limited to, the following:

Universal Training Simulators:These products complement the Self-Paced Training Tutorials by reinforcing what the student learned in the tutorial, putting it into practice on the Universal Simulator. The simulation models are high fidelity and engineering correct, but represent a typical plant or typical process, rather than the exact replication of a client's plant. We have delivered over 250360 such simulation models to clients consisting of major oil companies and educational institutions.

Part-Task Training Simulators: Like the Universal Simulators, we provide other unique training solutions such as a generic nuclear plant simulator and VPanel®VPanel® displays, which replicate control room hardware and simulator solutions specific to industry needs such as severe accident models to train on and aid in the understanding of events like the Fukushima Daiichi accident.

Plant-Specific Operator Training Simulators: These simulators provide an exact replication of the plant control room and plant operations. They provide the highest level of realism and training and allow users to practice their own plant-specific procedures. Clients can safely practice startup, shutdown, normal operations, as well as response to abnormal events we all hope they never have to experience in real life. Since our inception, we have delivered nearly 450over 480 plant-specific simulators to clients in the nuclear power, fossil power and process industries worldwide.

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Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting

As our customers' experienced staff retire, access to experts that can help operate and train existing and new employees in how to operate their plants is essential to ensure safe ongoing plant operations. In addition, operating and training needs change over time and sometimes our clients require fixed priced discrete projects or specialized courses.courses in contrast to straight staff augmentation. The industry needs operating personnel, including procedure writers, engineers, operators and instructors who can step in and use as well as update the client's operating methods, procedures, training material.material and more. Finding professionaltechnical professionals and instructors, who know the subject, can perform the work or teach it to others and can adapt to the client's culture, is critical. GSE provides both qualified professionals, instructors and turnkey projects/courses that work within the client's system and complement the operating or training methods they already have in place. Examples of our training program courses include senior reactor operator certification, generic fundamentals training, and simulation supervisor training. In addition, we also provide expert support through consulting or turnkey projects for procedure writing, technical engineers, project managers, training material upgrade and development, outage execution, planning and scheduling, corrective actions programs, and equipment reliability.

We bring together the collection of skills we have amassed over more than 40 years beginning with its traditional roots in custom high-fidelity simulation and training solutions for the power industries, extended through the acquisition of specialized engineering capabilities, enhanced by the entry and intermediate level training solutions of EnVision and the extensive nuclear industry training and consulting services of Absolute and Hyperspring.

Westinghouse Bankruptcy

On March 29, 2017, Westinghouse, a customer of our Performance Improvement Solutions segment, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, Case No. 17-10751.  During the second quarter of 2017, Westinghouse assumed one of our contracts related to Southern Nuclear Company. Therefore, we have not recorded a reserve for outstanding receivables related to this contract. On July 31, 2017, South Carolina Electric and Gas Company announced that it will cease construction of new nuclear plants at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, one of the facilities for which the Company has an executory contract with Westinghouse for the provision of simulator software and equipment. Although there has been no formal rejection of the contract as part of the Westinghouse bankruptcy process, GSE now considers it likely that Westinghouse will reject the parties' contract pertaining to the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station. Therefore, at June 30, 2017, GSE reserved 100% of accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, and billings in excess related to the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, resulting in a net bad debt charge of $118,000.

At September 30, 2017, in addition to the foregoing amounts associated with the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, the Company had approximately $0.1 million in net billed and unbilled pre-petition receivables attributable to Westinghouse. The Company has assessed the recoverability of the remaining $0.1 million in net billed and unbilled pre-petition receivables and concluded that the likelihood of loss is not probable, and therefore, none of the remaining outstanding amounts have been reserved at September 30, 2017.
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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, Three months ended September 30,  Nine months ended September 30, 
2017 % 2016 % 2017 % 2016 % 2018  %  2017  %  2018  %  2017  % 
Revenue$15,409 100.0 % $14,428 100.0 % $48,876 100.0 % $39,820 100.0 % $21,801   100.0% $15,409   100.0% $69,394   100.0% $48,876   100.0%
Cost of revenue 11,185 72.6 %  10,430 72.3 %  35,513 72.7 %  28,329 71.1 %  16,380   75.1%  11,185   72.6%  52,735   76.0%  35,513   72.7%
                   
Gross profit 4,224 27.4 %  3,998 27.7 %  13,363 27.3 %  11,491 28.9 %  5,421   24.9%  4,224   27.4%  16,659   24.0%  13,363   27.3%
Operating expenses:                                                   
Selling, general and administrative 4,374 28.4 %  2,936 20.3 %  11,740 24.0 %  8,606 21.6 %  4,366   20.0%  4,374   28.4%  13,686   19.7%  11,740   24.0%
Research and development 353 2.3 %  381 2.6 %  1,103 2.4 %  1,010 2.5 %  247   1.1%  353   2.3%  765   1.1%  1,103   2.3%
Restructuring charges - 0.0%  85 0.6%  45 0.1%  487 1.2%  70   0.3%  -   0.0%  1,177   1.7%  45   0.1%
Depreciation 79 0.5 %  91 0.6 %  254 0.5 %  294 0.7 %  132   0.6%  79   0.5%  411   0.6%  254   0.5%
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets 50 0.3 %  72 0.5 %  148 0.3 %  219 0.5 %  632   2.9%  50   0.3%  1,094   1.6%  148   0.3%
Total operating expenses 4,856 31.5 %  3,565 24.7 %  13,290 27.2 %  10,616 26.7 %  5,447   25.0%  4,856   31.5%  17,133   24.7%  13,290   27.2%
                                                   
Operating (loss) income (632) (4.1)%  433 3.0%  73 0.1%  875 2.2%  (26)  (0.1)%  (632)  (4.1)%  (474)  (0.7)%  73   0.1%
                                                   
Interest income, net 15 0.1 %  11 0.1 %  60 0.1 %  52 0.1 %
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net 71 0.5%  (211) (1.5)%  226 0.5%  (346) (0.9)%
Other income (expense), net 33 0.2%  15 0.2%  (4) 0.0%  112 0.3%
Interest (expense) income, net  (114)  (0.5)%  15   0.1%  (153)  (0.2)%  60   0.1%
(Loss) gain on derivative instruments, net  (59)  (0.3)%  71   0.5%  (306)  (0.4)%  226   0.5%
Other (expense) income, net  (5)  0.0%  33   0.3%  24   0.0%  (4)  0.0%
                                                   
(Loss) income before income taxes (513) (3.3)%  248 1.7%  355 0.7%  693 1.7%  (204)  (0.9)%  (513)  (3.3)%  (909)  (1.3)%  355   0.7%
                   
Provision for income taxes 92 0.6%  80 0.7%  399 0.8%  275 0.7%  314   1.4%  92   0.7%  124   0.2%  399   0.8%
                   
Net (loss) income$(605) (3.9)% $168 1.2% $(44) (0.1)% $418 1.0%
Net loss $(518)  (2.4)% $(605)  (3.9)% $(1,033)  (1.5)% $(44)  (0.1)%


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Results of Operations - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, versus three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017

Revenue. Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, increased 6.8% greater41.5% compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, revenue increased 22.7%42.0% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by the year over year increase in revenue in the Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segment, as described below.

Three months ended Nine months ended Three months ended  Nine months ended 
September 30, September 30, September 30,  September 30, 
(in thousands)2017 2016  2017 2016 2018  2017  2018  2017 
Revenue:                       
Performance Improvement Solutions$8,737 $10,215 $30,093 $27,382 $9,849  $8,737  $30,614  $30,093 
Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting 6,672  4,213  18,783  12,438  11,952   6,672   38,780   18,783 
Total revenue$15,409 $14,428 $48,876 $39,820 $21,801  $15,409  $69,394  $48,876 

Performance Improvement Solutions revenue decreasedincreased approximately $1.5$1.1 million or 14.5%12.7% during the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same period in the prior year. Additionally, totalTotal new orders for this segment were $2.9$17.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease2018, an increase of $7.3$14.3 million when compared to the $10.2$2.9 million in the new orders during the three months ended September 30, 2016.2017. The decreaseincrease in new orders inrevenue was primarily due to the acquisition of True North, which contributed to $2.4 million of revenue to the segment during the three months ended September 30, 2017, is primarily2018. This increase was partially offset by a decline of $0.7 million due to timing difference, a few key orders slipped into the fourth quarter. The decrease in revenues is primarily due todifferences, and a decline in revenuesof $0.6 million from our foreign subsidiaries as a result of approximately $0.8 million. In addition, we recorded a revenue adjustmentthe winding down of approximately $0.5 million related to a customer contract, due to an expected change order, which was offset by a similar adjustment to cost of revenue.the international subsidiaries.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, Performance Improvement Solutions revenue was $30.1$30.6 million compared to $27.4$30.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. However, we2017. We recorded total new orders of $12.0$31.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, an increase of $19.7 million compared to $50.7$12.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017. The increase in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the prior year iswas mainly driven by an additional $7.4the acquisition of True North, which contributed $3.7 million of revenues to the segment since the acquisition. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $2.1 million in revenues from a major customer per the large contract executed in the first quarter of 2016. Excluding this customer, revenues were down $4.7 million compared to the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to timing differences, and a $2.3decrease of $1.1 million decrease in revenues from foreign subsidiaries as well as several large contracts that were completed in 2016a result of restructuring international subsidiaries and only partially backfilled by new orders in 2017.structure.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting revenuerevenue increased $2.5$5.3 million, or 58.4%79.1% compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.2017. Total new orders for this segment were $6.3$10.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to $3.6$6.3 million in the prior year. The increase in the revenue was largely due to the acquisition of Absolute which contributed $1.2$6.2 million of revenues tofor the current year increase. Hyperspring's largest customer contributed $1.5 million of increased revenues compared to the prior year.three months ended September 30, 2018.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting revenue increased $6.3$20.0 million, or 51.0%106.5% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017. We recorded total new orders of $25.1$36.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to $12.1$25.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017. The $6.3$20.0 million increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Absolute acquired in September 2017, which contributed $1.2$21.1 million of revenues tofor the current year increase, as well as Hyperspring's largest customer, which contributed $6.4nine months ended September 30, 2018.

As of September 30, 2018, backlog was $74.0 million: $50.8 million for the Performance Improvement Solutions business segment, $5.6 million of increased revenues comparedwhich was attributable to True North, and $23.2 million for Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting. As of December 31, 2017, the prior year.

At September 30, 2017,Company's backlog was $76.4$71.4 million: $51.8$46.3 million for the Performance Improvement Solutions business segment and $24.6 million for Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting, $12.7 million of which was attributable to Absolute. At December 31, 2016, the Company's backlog was $73.2 million: $68.8 million for the Performance Improvement Solutions business segment and $4.4$25.1 million for Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting. Excluding Absolute, total backlog decreased approximately $9.5 million from $73.2 million at December 31, 2016 to $63.7 million at September 30, 2017. The decrease in the Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting business segment backlog iswas primarily due to 20162017 backlog that was converted to revenues during 20172018 and has only been partially backfilled by new orders. Excluding Absolute, Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting's backlog increased $7.5 million during 2017 primarily due to increased orders from Hyperspring's two largest customers.

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Gross Profit. Gross profit totaled $4.2$5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to $4.0$4.2 million for the same period in 2016.2017.  As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased from 27.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, to 27.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2017.2017, to 24.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2018.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, gross profit was $13.4$16.7 million compared to $11.5$13.4 million for the same period in 2016.2017.  As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased from 28.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, to 27.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2017, to 24.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Three months ended Nine months ended Three months ended  Nine months ended 
September 30, September 30, September 30,  September 30, 
(in thousands)2017 % 2016 % 2017 % 2016 % 2018  %  2017  %  2018  %  2017  % 
Gross profit:                                           
Performance Improvement Solutions$2,904 33.2 % $3,507 34.3 % $10,337 34.3 % $9,871 36.0 % $3,638   36.9% $2,904   33.2% $11,318   37.0% $10,337   34.4%
Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting 1,320 19.8 %  491 11.7 %  3,026 16.1 %  1,620 13.0 %  1,783   14.9%  1,320   19.8%  5,341   13.8%  3,026   16.1%
Consolidated gross profit$4,224 27.4 % $3,998 27.7 % $13,363 27.3 % $11,491 28.9 % $5,421   24.9% $4,224   27.4% $16,659   24.0% $13,363   27.3%

The year over year decreaseincrease in gross profit percentage for Performance Improvement Solutions during 2017for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, was primarily driven by three major nuclear simulation projects with lower margin.cost savings realized in 2018 on certain larger projects. These savings resulted in  revenue recognition of $1.1 million related to performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.

The year over year increasegross profit percentage in Nuclear Industry Consulting and Training gross profit percentage for 2017 was primarily driven bylower during the changethree months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to other periods; this was mainly due to normal changes in the mix of projects with higher margins, which reflected the segment's focus on entering higher margin contracts.different margins.


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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A")(SG&A) expenses totaled $4.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, a 49.0% increase0.2% decrease from the $2.9$4.4 million for the same period in 2016.2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, SG&A expenses totaled $11.7$13.7 million and $8.6$11.7 million, respectively. Fluctuations in the components of SG&A spending were as follows:

Three months ended Nine months ended Three months ended  Nine months ended 
September 30, September 30, September 30,  September 30, 
(in thousands)2017 2016  2017 2016 2018  2017  2018  2017 
Corporate charges$3,245 $2,381 $8,287 $5,785 $3,265  $3,245  $10,034  $8,287 
Business development 773  802  2,250  2,378  844   773   2,727   2,250 
Facility operation & maintenance ("O&M") 213  262  645  785
Facility operation & maintenance (O&M)  228   213   775   645 
Bad debt expense -  -  118  -  29   -   146   118 
Contingent consideration accretion 139  (525)  436  (370)  -   139   -   436 
Other 4  16  4  28  -   4   4   4 
Total$4,374 $2,936 $11,740 $8,606 $4,366  $4,374  $13,686  $11,740 

Corporate charges increased from $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.2017, to $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The slight increase was primarily due to higher operating expenses related to the May 2018 acquisition of True North. The increase was primarily drivenpartially offset by lower acquisition costs related to the acquisition-related expenses of $0.5 million and an increase of $0.2 millionAbsolute acquisition in stock-based compensation inSeptember 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, corporate charges increased from $5.8$8.3 million to $8.3$10.0 million. The increase was primarily driven by the following: higher employee bonuses in the amount of $0.4 million,  mainly due to higher stock-based compensation expensesa new post earnout bonus plan in 2018 for certain Hyperspring employees; $0.4 million of $0.9 million, acquisition-related expenses of $0.5 million,corporate charges attributable to Absolute; higher professional fees of $0.5$0.3 million associated with the adoption of the new revenue standard (ASC 606) and the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; $0.3 million of corporate charges attributable to True North; and higher realized foreign currency exchange losseslabor costs of $0.2 million.$0.3 million due to additional headcount in our corporate office.

Business development expense decreased $29,000increased $0.1 million and $128,000$0.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016.2017. This was mainly due to lower headcount.additional business development expenses incurred in 2018 related to the acquisition of Absolute.

Facility O&M expenses totaled $213,000increased $15,000 and $262,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the facility O&M expenses totaled $645,000 and $785,000, respectively. The decrease in 2017 was mainly due to the sublease of a portion of our Sykesville location and the closing of our Georgia office at the end of 2016.

We recorded bad debt expense of $118,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. We did not record bad debt expense$130,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. On July 31, 2017, South Carolina Electric and Gas Company announced that it would cease construction of new nuclear plants at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, one of the facilities for which the Company has an executory contract with Westinghouse for the provision of simulator software and equipment.  Although there has been no formal rejection of the contract as part of the Westinghouse bankruptcy process, GSE considered it likely that Westinghouse would  reject the parties' contract pertaining2018, respectively, compared to the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station. Therefore, at June 30, 2017, GSE reserved 100% of accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, and billingssame periods in excess related2017. The increase in 2018 was mainly due to the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, resultinglease of a new office building in a net bad debt chargeColumbia, Maryland location in March 2018, the acquisition of $118,000.Absolute in September 2017, which resulted in the lease of additional office space in Navarre, Florida, and the acquisition of True North in May 2018, which resulted in the lease of additional office space in Montrose, Colorado.

Contingent consideration expense mainly reflected the fair value adjustments related to our November 2014 Hyperspring acquisition. The earnout period expired in November 2017, and the final payment was made in January 2018, therefore no contingent consideration expenses totaled $139,000 and $436,000adjustment was recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded contingent consideration accretion income of $525,000 and $370,000, respectively. The increase in contingent consideration expenses primarily reflected better performance for Hyperspring in 2017.

current year.



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Research and Development Expenses. Research and Development ("development (R&D) costs consist primarily of software engineering personnel and other related costs. R&D") expenses&D costs, net of capitalized software, totaled $0.4 million$247,000 and $353,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,Before capitalization of software development costs, R&D expensescosts totaled $1.1$0.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

Restructuring Charges.  There were no restructuring charges during the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, restructuring charges totaled $45,000 and $487,000, respectively. The decrease in restructuring charges in 2017 was primarily due to nearing completion on the Company's restructuring activities initiated during 2015.

Depreciation.  Depreciation expense totaled $0.1$0.4 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. R&D costs, net of capitalized software, totaled $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. R&D expenses before capitalization of software development costs totaled $1.1 million and 2016. For$1.2 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. The decrease in R&D expenses in 2018 was mainly due to more software projects having reached the development stage in current year.

Restructuring Charges. On December 27, 2017, the Board of GSE Systems, Inc. approved an international restructuring plan to streamline and 2016,optimize the Company's global operations and we announced we expected restructuring charges to total $2.1 million, excluding any tax impacts and cumulative translation adjustments. The Company recorded restructuring charges of $0.1 million and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily consisting of lease termination costs, employee severance costs and other charges. As of September 30, 2018, we had recorded accumulated restructuring charges of $1.9 million, and we expect to record the remaining restructuring charges of approximately $0.2 million by the end of 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 we recorded restructuring charges of $45,000, which represented true-up adjustments related to the restructuring plan initiated in 2015.

Depreciation. Depreciation expense increased $53,000 and $157,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017. The increase in 2018 was largely driven by the 2017 acquisition of Absolute and the depreciation expense totaled $0.3 million.of additional leasehold improvements as we relocated most of our corporate functions to a new office building in Columbia, Maryland in March 2018.

Amortization of Definite-lived Intangible Assets. Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets totaled $50,000$0.6 million and $72,000$50,000 for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets totaled $148,000$1.1 million and $219,000,$0.1 million, respectively. The decreaseincrease in amortization of definite-lived intangible assets in 20172018 was primarily due to lowerthe acquisition of Absolute and True North. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, Absolute's amortization expenses totaled $168,000 and $454,000, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, True North's amortization expense was $420,000. Amortization expense for True North since the date of customer-related intangible assets that were recorded in conjunction with the Hyperspring acquisition in 2014.totaled $556,000.

Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net. Interest (expense) income, netThe Company periodically enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to manage market risks associated with. Interest expenses totaled $114,000 and $153,000 for the fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign-denominated trade receivables.  As ofthree and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company had foreign exchange contracts outstanding of approximately 212.5 million Japanese Yen, 0.2 million Euro2018, respectively. Interest income totaled $15,000 and 0.2 million Australian Dollars at fixed rates.  The contracts expire on various dates through December 2018.  The Company has not designated the contracts as cash flow hedges and has recognized a gain on the change in the estimated fair value of the contracts of $74,000 and $145,000$60,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had foreign exchange contracts outstanding of approximately 341.4 million Japanese Yen,  1.6 million Euro, 0.7 million Australian Dollars, and 0.5 million Canadian Dollars at fixed rates.  The contracts expired on various dates through June 2017. The Company had not designatedissued a five-year term loan of $10.3 million in May 2018 to finance the contracts as hedgesacquisition of True North, and had recognized a losshas recorded interest expense of $125,000 and  $302,000$130,000 related to the term loan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.2018.

The(Loss) gain on derivative instruments, net. In the normal course of business, our operations are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency values and interest rate changes. We control a portion of these risks through a risk management program that includes the use of derivative instruments. (Loss) gain on derivative instruments relates to the Company's interest rate swap contracts, foreign exchange contracts and remeasurement of foreign currency denominated contract receivables, billings in excess of revenue earned, and subcontractor accruals that are related toaccruals. The following table summarizes the outstanding foreign exchange contracts were remeasured into the functional currency using the current exchange rate at the endcomponents of the period.(loss) gain recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

  Three months ended September 30,  Nine months ended September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Interest rate swap - change in fair value $(28) $-  $(39) $- 
Foreign exchange contracts- change in fair value  (14)  74   (178)  145 
Remeasurement of related contract receivables, billings in excess of revenue earned, and subcontractor accruals  (17)  (3)  (89)  81 
(Loss) gain on derivative instruments, net $(59)  71  $(306) $226 


Other Income (Expense), Net.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, the Company recognized a lossother expense, net, of $3,000$5,000 and a gainother income, net, of $81,000,$24,000, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized a loss of $86,000 and $44,000, respectively.

Other Income (Expense), Net. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized other income, net, of $33,000 and other expense, net, of $4,000, respectively.  For

33

(Benefit) provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) was $0.3 million and $0.1 million with effective income tax rates of (153.9)% and (13.6)% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized other2018, respectively. This is compared to income net, of $15,000 and $112,000, respectively. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company's Chinese subsidiary received a $101,000 refund of Value Added Tax.
37


Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $92,000of $0.1 million and $399,000$0.4 million with effective income tax rates of (17.9)% and 112.4%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. This is compared to income tax expense of $80,000 and $275,000 with effective income tax rates of 32.3% and 39.7%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The Company's income tax (benefit) provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items arising in that quarter. Tax expense in both periods2018 is comprised mainly of federal income tax expense, foreign income tax expense, and state taxes. Tax expense in 2017 is comprised mainly of foreign income tax expense, Alternative Minimum Tax, state taxes, and deferred tax expense relating to the tax amortization of goodwill.

Our effective tax rates were (153.9)% and (13.6%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the difference between our effective tax rate of (153.9)% and the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21% was primarily due to permanent differences, accruals related to uncertain tax positions for certain foreign tax contingencies, discrete item adjustments for the foreign taxes, and return to provision true-ups which were known as of September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the difference between the effective tax rate of  (13.6)% and the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21% was primarily due to changes in jurisdictional income and the inclusion of income (loss) from an acquisition in the second quarter of 2018.

Because of theits net operating loss carryforwards, the Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations from yearsthe year 1997 and forward. The Company is subject to foreign tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2011 and forward for Sweden, 2014 and2015 forward for China, and 2015 and forward for both India, and 2016 forward for the UK.

An uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is recognized in the consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not (i.e.( i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent)50%) 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 percent50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense.  The Company has recorded uncertain tax positions for certain foreign tax contingencies in China, South Korea and the Ukraine.

The Company has recorded a full valuation allowanceallowances for its U.S.,Chinese, U.K., Swedish, and ChineseSwedish net deferred tax assets at September 30, 2017.2018.

The Company follows the guidance in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (SAB 118), which provides additional clarification regarding the application of ASC 740 in situations where the Company does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act for the reporting period in which the Act was enacted. SAB 118 provides for a measurement period beginning in the reporting period that includes the Act's enactment date and ending when the Company has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information needed in order to complete the accounting requirements but in no circumstances should the measurement period extend beyond one year of the enactment date. The Company will complete the remeasurement of its deferred taxes at December 31, 2018.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the Company identified an immaterial error of $1.2 million, or $0.06 per share, in the December 31, 2017 financial statements related to the release of the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets attributable to windfall tax benefits recognized upon the adoption of ASU 2016-09. The portion relating to ASU 2016-09 should have been recorded to the consolidated statement of operations as an increase to our benefit for income taxes with a resulting increase to net income during the year ended December 31, 2017, however, the adjustment was recorded to accumulated deficit in the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders' equity. This had no impact to the ending accumulated deficit balance at December 31, 2017.
Additionally, the Company identified a $0.7 million classification error between deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability at December 31, 2017 due to improper netting of deferred taxes by jurisdiction. Accordingly, we reclassified $0.7 million of deferred tax liabilities, which was included in other liabilities to deferred tax assets in our December 31, 2017 consolidated balance sheet.
The Company evaluated the required changes and determined that their impact was not material. The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 will reflect the correct comparative data.

34

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In preparing the Company's consolidated financial statements, management makes several estimates and assumptions that affect the Company's reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Those accounting estimates that have theThe Company's most significant impactestimates relate to revenue recognition on the Company's operating results and place the most significant demands on management's judgment include revenue recognition,contracts with customers, allowance for doubtful accounts, impairmentproduct warranties, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets including goodwill, capitalizationacquired, valuation of computer software development costs,long-lived assets to be disposed of, valuation of contingent consideration forissued in business acquisitions, valuation of stock based compensation awards, and the recoverability of deferred income tax valuation allowance.assets. These critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and the best estimates may require adjustment.
38


Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2017,2018, the Company's cash, and cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $15.5$9.8 million compared to $21.7$20.1 million at December 31, 2016.2017.

For the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, net cash (used in) provided by operating activities was $3.4$(6.4) million and $3.9$3.0 million, respectively. The year over year decreasechange of $9.4 million in cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities was primarily driven by increased revenues during 2017, primarily driven by our two largest customerscash payments of $1.5 million for the restructuring expenses and contributing approximately $1.8 millionthe change in contract receivables, billing in excess of additional gross profit; an increase of $0.9 million in operatingrevenue earned and accounts payable and accrued expenses, (excluding non-cash operating expenses),which was mainly due to acquisition related expenses, increased headcounttiming differences of cash collections and higher professional fees; a decrease of $0.1 million in other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017; finally, we had net inflows of $0.4 million from changes in net working capital during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to net working capital inflows of $1.7 million during the same period in 2016.  This $1.3 million decrease in inflows from net working capital primarily reflects the timing difference of the operating expenditure payments.billing.

Net cash used byin investing activities totaled $8.5$10.5 million and $8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, compared to net cash providedrespectively. The increase in investing activities was $31,000 in the prior year. The significant cash outflow in 20172018 was primarily driven by the acquisition of Absolute. TheTrue North, the net cash consideration forof which was $9.6 million; $0.4 million increase in fixed assets primarily due to increase in lease improvements and furniture and fixtures as we entered into a new lease agreement in December 2017 and relocated most of our corporate functions, including finance, legal, and R&D to a new office in Columbia, Maryland in March 2018; and $0.2 million increase in capitalized software development costs as more software reached development stage. These increases were offset by a decrease of $8.5 million net consideration related to the acquisition was $8.5 million.of Absolute in 2017.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, net cash used inprovided by (used in) financing activities totaled $1.5$7.0 million and $0.8$(1.1) million, respectively. The increase in the cash outflowinflow from financing activities iswas largely driven by the Companyproceeds from issuance of a term loan of $10.2 million, net of discount and issuance costs, a decrease of $0.6 million in the Company's withholding of RSUs in order to pay employees' payroll withholding taxes on vested RSUs totaling approximately $1.0 million and a $0.3 million decrease in proceeds received from stock option exercises,RSUs; the increase was partially offset by a $0.6repayments of $1.2 million decreaseon the term loan and an increase of $1.3 million in contingent consideration payments to the former Hyperspring owners in 2017.as we paid off the earnout.

At September 30, 2017,2018, the Company had cash, and cash equivalents and restricted cash of $15.5$9.8 million. The Company believes that its (i) cash and cash equivalents and (ii) cash generated from normal operations will be sufficient to fund its working capital and other requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Line of Credit Facilities

Citizens Bank

The Company entered into a three-year, $5.0 million revolving line of credit facility ("RLOC")(RLOC) with Citizens Bank, National Association (the Bank) on December 29, 2016, to fund general working capital needs, including acquisitions.  Working capital advances bear interest of one-month LIBOR plus 2.25% per annumneeds. On May 11, 2018, GSE and letter ofPerformance Solutions (collectively, the  Borrower) entered into an Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement (the Credit Agreement) with the Bank, amending and restating the Company's existing Credit and Security Agreement with the Bank, which included a $5.0 million asset-based revolving credit fees are 1.25% per annum.  The Company isfacility between the Borrower and the Bank, to now include (a) a $5.0 million revolving credit facility not required to maintain a restricted cash collateral account at Citizens Bank for outstanding letters of credit and working capital advances. 

The maximum availability under the RLOC is subject to a borrowing base, equal to 80% of eligible accounts receivable, and is reduced for any issued and outstanding lettersincluding a letter of credit sub-facility, and working capital advances.(b) a $25.0 million delayed draw term loan facility available to be drawn upon for up to 18 months and to finance certain permitted acquisitions by the Company.

On May 11, 2018, upon acquisition of True North, the Company drew down approximately $10.3 million to fund the transaction, $0.5 million of which was repaid to the Bank on the same day. At September 30, 2017,2018, the outstanding balance of the long-term debt was $9.0 million.

At September 30, 2018, there were no outstanding borrowings on the RLOC and sixfive letters of credit totaling $1.7 million, two of which expired and are pending on release by the bank and customer.$2.3 million. The amount available at September 30, 2017,2018, after consideration of the borrowing base, letters of credit and working capital advances was approximately $3.3$2.7 million.

The credit facility agreement is subject to standard financial covenants and reporting requirements. At September 30, 2017,2018, the Company was in compliance with its financial covenants.

BB&T Bank

At September 30, 2017, we had three letters of credit with BB&T totaling $0.9 million, which expired and are pending on release by the bank and customer. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the cash collateral account with BB&T totaled $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively and were classified as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets.
3935

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")(GAAP). Management believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, in addition to operating profit, net income and other GAAP measures, are useful to investors to evaluate the Company's results because iteach measure excludes certain items that are not directly related to the Company's core operating performance that may, or could, have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on our results for any particular period. Investors should recognize that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. TheseOur management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of our business and make certain operating decisions (e.g., budgeting, planning, employee compensation and resource allocation). This measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. ReconciliationA reconciliation of non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measures aremeasure in accordance with SEC Regulation G is as follows:

     Three months ended Nine months ended
     September 30, September 30,
     2017 2016 2017 2016
Net (loss) income($605) $168 ($44) $418
Interest income, net(15) (11) (60) (52)
Provision for income taxes92 80 399 275
Depreciation and amortization247 276 754 809
EBITDA(281) 513 1,049 1,450
Loss (gain) from the change in fair value of contingent consideration139 (525) 436 (370)
Restructuring charges- 85 45 487
Stock-based compensation expense627 412 1,873 900
Consulting support for finance restructuring- 232 - 310
Acquisition-related expense454 - 473 -
Westinghouse bankruptcy related expense- - 122 -
Adjusted EBITDA$939 $717 $3,998 $2,777
(in thousands)

  Three months ended  Nine months ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Net loss $(518) $(605) $(1,033) $(44)
Interest expense (income), net  114   (15)  153   (60)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes  314   92   124   399 
Depreciation and amortization  914   247   1,858   754 
EBITDA  824   (281)  1,102   1,049 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration  -   139   -   436 
Restructuring charges  70   -   1,177   45 
Stock-based compensation expense  507   627   1,535   1,873 
Impact of the change in fair value of derivative instruments  59   (71)  306   (226)
Acquisition-related expense  -   454   491   473 
Bad debt expense due to customer bankruptcy  -   -   65   122 
Adjusted EBITDA $1,460  $868  $4,676  $3,772 




4036


Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts)

Adjusted Net Income and adjusted earnings (loss) per share ("adjusted EPS") are not measures of financial performance under GAAP.  Management believes adjusted net income and adjusted EPS, in addition to other GAAP measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our operational performance. Our management uses Adjusted Net Income and other non-GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of our business and make certain operating decisions (e.g., budgeting, planning, employee compensation and resource allocation). This information facilitates management's internal comparisons to our historical operating results as well as to the operating results of our competitors. Since management finds this measure to be useful, we believe that our investors can benefit by evaluating both non-GAAP and GAAP results.  These measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted EPS to GAAP net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is as follows:

(in thousands)    Three months ended Nine months ended
     September 30, September 30,
     2017 2016 2017 2016
            
Net (loss) income($605) $168 ($44) $418
Loss (gain) from the change in fair value of contingent consideration139 (525) 436 (370)
Restructuring charges- 85 45 487
Stock-based compensation expense627 412 1,873 900
Consulting support for finance restructuring- 232 - 310
Acquisition-related expense454 - 473 -
Westinghouse bankruptcy related expense- - 122 -
Adjusted net income$615 $372 $2,905 $1,745
        
(Loss) earnings per share - diluted($0.03) $0.01 $0.00 $0.02
        
Adjusted earnings per share - diluted (a)$0.03 $0.02 $0.15 $0.10
        
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted (a)19,702,742 18,470,117 19,601,661 18,287,870
(in thousands)
  Three months ended  Nine months ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Net loss $(518) $(605) $(1,033) $(44)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration  -   139   -   436 
Restructuring charges  70   -   1,177   45 
Stock-based compensation expense  507   627   1,535   1,873 
Impact of the change in fair value of derivative instruments  59   (71)  306   (226)
Acquisition-related expense  -   454   491   473 
Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions  632   50   1,094   148 
Bad debt expense due to customer bankruptcy  -   -   65   122 
Adjusted net income $750  $594  $3,635  $2,827 
                 
Diluted loss per common share $(0.03) $(0.03) $(0.05) $- 
                 
Adjusted earnings per common share – Diluted $0.04  $0.03  $0.18  $0.14 
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted(1)
  20,166,912   19,702,742   19,932,921   19,601,661 

(a)(1) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported a GAAP net loss and positive adjusted net income. Accordingly, there were 380,024 and 312,714 dilutive shares from options and RSUs included in the adjusted earnings per common share calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, that were considered anti-dilutive in determining the GAAP diluted loss per common share.

(1) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company reported a GAAP net loss and positive adjusted net income. Accordingly, there were 421,972 and 396,883 dilutive shares from options and RSUs included in the adjusted earnings per common share calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, that were considered anti-dilutive in determining the GAAP diluted loss per common share.

4137


Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Not required of a smaller reporting company.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effectiveeffective.

On May 11, 2018, the Company completed the purchase of True North Consulting, LLC. True North constitutes 18% of total assets of the Company at September 30, 2018, and 5% of the reasonable assurance level because of a material weakness related to certainCompany's consolidated revenue recognition matters, as described below and in Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the yearnine months ended December 31, 2016.

Remediation Plan

We are committedSeptember 30, 2018. As permitted by SEC guidance for newly acquired businesses, because it was not possible to the remediationcomplete an effective assessment of the identified material weakness, as well asacquired company's controls by the continued improvement of our overall system of internal control over financial reporting. We are currently working to remediatequarter-end, the underlying causes of the control deficiencies that led to the identified material weakness. Our remediation plan includes the following:

·Documenting policies and procedures to appropriately compile contract information and ensure that such information was properly recorded and reviewed;

·Documenting review and approval of revenue arrangements to ensure that they were accounted in accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP, including certain software arrangements which lacked VSOE; and

·Documenting evidence surrounding estimates-to-complete on the Company's fixed price contracts to ensure such estimates were appropriately reviewed and approved to support percentage of completion adjustments.

These additional review procedures and documentation have been in place and operating since the second quarter 2017, and while we believe these controls effectively remediate the identified material weakness, the identified material weakness will not be considered remediated until management has concludedexcluded True North from its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures from the required leveldate of testing. As we perform our testing, we may take additional measures or modify our remediation plan.such acquisition through September 30, 2018.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Except for the implementation of remediation measures described above, thereThere 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

Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting.  However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.


4238

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

The Company has no material changes to the disclosure on this matter made in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.2017.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.Other Information

None.

Item 6.Exhibits

2.1
Stock Purchase Agreement, among GSE Systems, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary GSE Performance Solutions, Inc., Richard and Cynthia Linton (and certain trusts owned thereby), and Absolute Consulting, Inc., dated as of September 20, 2017. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of GSE Systems, Inc. Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2017.
 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
   
 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
   
 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
   
 XBRL Instance Document
   
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
   
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
   
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
   
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
   
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase



4339

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 14, 20172018
GSE SYSTEMS, INC.

/S/ KYLE J. LOUDERMILK
Kyle J. Loudermilk
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)



/S/ EMMETT A. PEPE
Emmett A. Pepe
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

4440