Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

SAIC, Inc. is a provider of scientific, engineering, systems integration and technical services and solutions to all branches of the U.S. military, agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other U.S. Government civil agencies, state and local government agencies, foreign governments and customers in select commercial markets.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SAIC, Inc. and all majority-owned and 100%-owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the Company), including Science Applications International Corporation. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company may sell or dispose (or management may commit to plans to sell or dispose) of non-strategic components of the business, which are reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Prior year amounts are adjusted for consistency with the current year's presentation.

Unless otherwise noted, references to years are for fiscal years ended January 31. For example, the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011 is referred to as "fiscal 2011" in these notes to consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition Accounting Change

The Company's revenues are generated primarily from contracts with the U.S. Government, commercial customers, and various international, state and local governments or from subcontracts with other contractors engaged in work with such customers. The Company performs under various types of contracts, which include firm-fixed-price, time-and-materials, fixed-price-level-of-effort, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-award-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee contracts.

Accounting Change. Prior to February 1, 2010, the Company recognized revenues on cost-plus-fixed-fee, time-and-materials and fixed-price-level-of-effort contracts with the U.S. Government primarily based on contract costs incurred to date compared with total estimated costs at completion (cost-to-cost method), which is an input method of percentage-of-completion that relied heavily on management's estimates of contract revenues and contract costs at completion. Effective February 1, 2010, the Company changed its method of revenue recognition for cost-plus-fixed-fee, time-and-materials and fixed-price-level-of-effort contracts with the U.S. Government to the methods described below. Contract costs will continue to be expensed as incurred under these contracts.

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts—Revenue is recognized on the basis of partial performance as costs are incurred plus an estimate of applicable fees as the Company becomes contractually entitled to reimbursement of costs and the applicable fees pursuant to the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 912-605-25 Contractors-Federal Government—Recognition of Fees Under Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts.

Time-and-materials contracts—Revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting utilizing an output measure to measure progress toward completion based on the hours provided in performance under the contract multiplied by the negotiated contract billing rates, plus the negotiated contract billing rate of any allowable material and subcontract costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

Fixed-price-level-of-effort contracts—These contracts are substantially similar to time-and-materials contracts except they require a specified level of effort over a stated period of time. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue in a manner similar to time-and-materials contracts whereby the Company uses the percentage-of-completion method of accounting utilizing an output measure. The Company measures progress toward completion based on the hours provided in performance under the contract multiplied by the negotiated contract billing rates, plus the negotiated contract billing rate of any allowable material costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

The revenue recognition change impacts contracts accounting for approximately two-thirds of the Company's revenues. The Company believes the change is to an alternative accounting principle that is preferable because it better reflects the economic substance and earnings process under these arrangements. This change was facilitated by the implementation of a new information technology system.

Although this change impacts contracts accounting for approximately two-thirds of the Company's revenues, the result of the accounting change was immaterial to the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations for all periods presented because the resulting measurement of the progress toward completion under the two methods is not significantly different. Accordingly, the cumulative effect of the accounting change was recognized in the consolidated statement of income in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, rather than retrospectively applied to the prior period consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts—Revenue is recognized on cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts with the U.S. Government on the basis of partial performance equal to costs incurred plus an estimate of applicable fees earned as the Company becomes contractually entitled to reimbursement of costs and the applicable fees.

Time-and-materials contracts—Revenue is recognized on time-and-materials contracts with the U.S. Government using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting utilizing an output measure of progress. Revenue is recognized on time-and-materials contracts with non-U.S. Government customers using a proportional performance method. Under both of these methods, revenue is recognized based on the hours provided in performance under the contract multiplied by the negotiated contract billing rates, plus the negotiated contract billing rate of any allowable material and subcontract costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

Fixed-price-level-of-effort contracts (FP-LOE)—These contracts are substantially similar to time-and-materials contracts except they require a specified level of effort over a stated period of time. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue on FP-LOE contracts with the U.S. Government in a manner similar to time-and-materials contracts whereby the Company measures progress toward completion based on the hours provided in performance under the contract multiplied by the negotiated contract billing rates, plus the negotiated contract billing rate of any allowable material costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost-plus-award-fee/cost-plus-incentive fee contracts—Revenues and fees on these contracts with the U.S. Government are primarily recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, most often based on the cost-to-cost method. The Company includes an estimate of the ultimate incentive or award fee to be received on the contract in the estimate of contract revenues for purposes of applying the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.

Firm-fixed-price contracts—Revenues and fees on these contracts that are system integration or engineering in nature are primarily recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting utilizing the cost-to-cost method.

Revenues from services and maintenance contracts, notwithstanding contract type, are recognized over the term of the respective contracts as the services are performed and revenue is earned. Revenues from unit-priced contracts are recognized as transactions are processed based on objective measures of output. Revenues from the sale of manufactured products are recorded upon passage of title and risk of loss to the customer, which is generally upon delivery, provided that all other requirements for revenue recognition have been met.

The Company also uses the efforts-expended method of percentage-of-completion using measures such as labor dollars for measuring progress toward completion in situations in which this approach is more representative of the progress on the contract. For example, the efforts-expended method is utilized when there are significant amounts of materials or hardware procured for the contract that is not representative of progress on the contract. Additionally, the Company utilizes the units-of-delivery method under percentage-of-completion on contracts where separate units of output are produced. Under the units-of-delivery method, revenue is generally recognized when the units are delivered to the customer, provided that all other requirements for revenue recognition have been met.

The Company also evaluates its contracts for multiple elements, and when appropriate, separates the contracts into separate units of accounting for revenue recognition.

The Company provides for anticipated losses on contracts by recording an expense during the period in which the losses are determined. Amounts billed and collected but not yet recognized as revenues under certain types of contracts are deferred. Contract costs incurred for U.S. Government contracts, including indirect costs, are subject to audit and adjustment through negotiations between the Company and government representatives. The Company has agreed upon and settled indirect contract costs through fiscal 2004. Revenues on U.S. Government contracts have been recorded in amounts that are expected to be realized upon final settlement.

The Company's accounts receivable include unbilled receivables, which consist of costs and fees billable upon contract completion or the occurrence of a specified event, the majority of which is expected to be billed and collected within one year. The Company does not believe it has significant exposure to credit risk as accounts receivable and the related unbilled amounts are primarily due from the U.S. Government. Unbilled receivables are stated at estimated realizable value. Contract retentions are billed when the Company has negotiated final indirect rates with the U.S. Government and, once billed, are subject to audit and approval by government representatives. Consequently, the timing of collection of retention balances is outside the Company's control. Based on the Company's historical experience, the majority of retention balances are expected to be collected beyond one year.

Contract claims are unanticipated additional costs incurred but not provided for in the executed contract price that the Company seeks to recover from the customer. Such costs are expensed as incurred. Additional revenue related to contract claims is recognized when the amounts are awarded by the customer.

In certain situations, primarily where the Company is not the primary obligor on certain elements of a contract such as the provision of administrative oversight and/or management of government-owned facilities or logistical support services related to other vendors' products, the Company recognizes as revenue the net management fee associated with the services and excludes from its income statement the gross sales and costs associated with the facility or other vendors' products.

Pre-contract Costs

Costs incurred on projects as pre-contract costs are deferred as assets (inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets) when the Company has been requested by the customer to begin work under a new arrangement prior to contract execution. The Company records pre-contract costs when formal contracts have not yet been executed, and it is probable that the Company will recover the costs through the issuance of a contract. When the formal contract has been executed, the costs are recorded to the contract and revenue is recognized.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted Cash

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The Company classifies indirect costs incurred within or allocated to its Government segment as overhead (included in cost of revenues) and general and administrative expenses in the same manner as such costs are defined in the Company's disclosure statements under U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards. Effective in fiscal 2011, the Company updated its disclosure statements with the Defense Contract Management Agency, resulting in certain costs being classified differently either as overhead or as general and administrative expenses on a prospective basis. This change has caused a net increase in reported cost of revenues and a net decrease in reporting selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010; however, total operating costs were not affected by this change. Selling, general and administrative expenses include general and administrative, bid and proposal and internal research and development expenses.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method in accordance with the accounting standard for income taxes. The asset and liability method requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities (Note 12). Under this method, changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in income in the period such changes are enacted.

The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent results of operations. In the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount or would no longer be able to realize its deferred income tax assets in the future as currently recorded, the Company would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which would decrease or increase the provision for income taxes.

The provision for federal, state, foreign and local income taxes is calculated on income before income taxes based on current tax law and includes the cumulative effect of any changes in tax rates from those used previously in determining deferred tax assets and liabilities. Such provision differs from the amounts currently payable because certain items of income and expense are recognized in different reporting periods for financial reporting purposes than for income tax purposes.

The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that a tax position will not be sustained upon examination and settlement with various taxing authorities. Liabilities for uncertain tax positions are measured based upon the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in its income tax expense.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the fair value of all stock-based awards, including stock options, granted to employees and directors in exchange for services as compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is typically the vesting period, net of an estimated forfeiture rate.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk primarily consist of cash equivalents and accounts receivable. At January 31, 2011, the Company's cash and cash equivalents, which include investments in several large institutional money market funds that invest primarily in bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government guaranteed repurchase agreements fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury obligations, U.S. Government guaranteed securities and investment-grade corporate securities, bear both fixed and variable interest rates. Although credit risk is limited, the Company's receivables are concentrated with its principal customers, which are the various agencies of the U.S. Government and customers engaged in work for the U.S. Government.