Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

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Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies

In November 2016, a lawsuit, Arrieta et al vs. Prime Turbines LLC et al, was filed in the District Court of Texas in Dallas County, by Edgar Arrieta, and four other plaintiffs against two VSE subsidiaries and three other defendants unrelated to VSE. The plaintiffs alleged that in 2016, a plane crashed resulting in the death of three plaintiffs and serious injuries to six other plaintiffs and that VSE's subsidiaries were negligent in providing maintenance, service and inspection of the airplane's engine prior to the crash. In October 2018, the parties in the lawsuit settled the case. VSE, which is not required to financially contribute to the settlement, will be dismissed from the case once the Court formally approves the settlement.

On or about April 19, 2018 Joseph Waggoner, on behalf of himself and all similarly situated individuals, filed a lawsuit against VSE and two of our subcontractors in the United State District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division, alleging overtime compensation entitlement at a rate of one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in a workweek. The plaintiffs are seeking to certify the case as a collective action for similarly situated individuals. The plaintiffs work under a contract between defendants and the United States Army at the Red River Army Depot in Texas. The plaintiffs assert that employees' 15-minute unpaid work breaks should have been included as "working hours" in calculating overtime. We believe it is probable that VSE will incur a loss related to this matter, and we have accrued an immaterial loss provision in an amount representing our reasonable estimate related to an unfavorable settlement of the matter, and we do not believe that we have any further exposure that would be material to VSE in excess of the amount we have accrued related to this matter.

In a letter dated May 21, 2018, Dyncorp International ("Dyncorp") notified VSE's subsidiary Prime Turbines LLC that the U.S. Air Force ("USAF") had filed a claim against Dyncorp for approximately $27 million in respect of work performed by Dyncorp and VSE's subsidiary Prime Turbines in support of the USAF program for servicing fuel nozzle tips on aircraft engines. Dyncorp asserted that any liability arising from the USAF claim should be borne by Prime Turbines under its agreement dated August 21, 2013, with Dyncorp. As the events leading to the USAF claim against Dyncorp, including the work performed by Prime Turbines as a subcontractor, occurred prior to VSE's acquisition of Prime Turbines in January 2015, VSE notified the sellers of Prime Turbines of the Dyncorp and USAF claims and VSE's intention to seek restitution from the sellers for any damages arising from such claims. Dyncorp and Prime Turbines filed a motion to dismiss the USAF appeal to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals ("ASBCA") against Dyncorp. On September 28, 2018, the USAF rescinded its approximate $27 million claim against Dyncorp and moved to dismiss the appeal to the ASBCA as moot because the USAF had rescinded its claim from which the appeal arises. While the USAF could reassert its claim at a later date, we consider this matter currently closed because the ASBCA no longer has jurisdiction of this matter and the USAF has no current claim against Dyncorp in respect of any work performed by Prime Turbines.

Other Matters

In addition to the above-referenced legal proceedings, we may have certain claims in the normal course of business, including legal proceedings, against us and against other parties. In our opinion, the resolution of these other claims will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. However, because the results of any legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, the amount of loss, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated.

Further, from time-to-time, government agencies investigate whether our operations are being conducted in accordance with applicable contractual and regulatory requirements. Government investigations of us, whether relating to government contracts or conducted for other reasons, could result in administrative, civil or criminal liabilities, including repayments, fines or penalties being imposed upon us, or could lead to suspension or debarment from future government contracting. Government investigations often take years to complete and many result in no adverse action against us. We believe, based upon current information, that the outcome of any such government disputes and investigations will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.