XML 29 R14.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.0.1
Revenue Recognition and Related Balance Sheet Accounts
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue Recognition and Related Balance Sheet Accounts REVENUE RECOGNITION AND RELATED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS:
Contracts
Quanta’s services include the design, new construction, upgrade and repair and maintenance of infrastructure primarily in the utility, renewable energy, communications and pipeline and energy industries. These services may be provided pursuant to master service agreements (MSAs), repair and maintenance contracts and fixed price and non-fixed price construction contracts. These contracts are classified into three categories based on the methods by which transaction prices are determined and revenue is recognized: unit-price contracts, cost-plus contracts and fixed price contracts. Transaction prices for unit-price contracts are determined on a per unit basis, transaction prices for cost-plus contracts are determined by applying a profit margin to costs incurred on the contracts and transaction prices for fixed price contracts are determined on a lump-sum basis. All of Quanta’s revenues are recognized from contracts with its customers. In addition to the considerations described below, revenue is not recognized unless collectability under the contract is considered probable, the contract has commercial substance and the contract has been approved. Additionally, the contract must contain payment terms, as well as the rights and commitments of both parties.
Performance Obligations
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract with a customer to transfer a distinct good or service. Most of Quanta’s contracts are considered to have a single performance obligation whereby Quanta is required to integrate complex activities and equipment into a deliverable for a customer. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, Quanta allocates a portion of the total transaction price to each performance obligation using its best estimate of the standalone selling price of the distinct good or service associated with each performance obligation. Standalone selling price is estimated using the expected costs plus a margin.
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the aggregate transaction price allocated to unsatisfied or partially satisfied performance obligations was approximately $5.90 billion and $3.99 billion, with 81.8% and 71.2% expected to be recognized in the subsequent twelve months. These amounts represent management’s estimates of the consolidated revenues that are expected to be realized from the remaining portion of firm orders under fixed price contracts not yet completed or for which work had not yet begun as of such dates. For purposes of calculating remaining performance obligations, Quanta includes all estimated revenues attributable to consolidated joint ventures and variable interest entities, revenues from funded and unfunded portions of government contracts to the extent they are reasonably expected to be realized and revenues from change orders and claims to the extent management believes additional contract revenues will be earned and are deemed probable of collection. Excluded from remaining performance obligations are potential orders under MSAs and non-fixed price contracts expected to be completed within one year.
Recognition of Revenue Upon Satisfaction of Performance Obligations
A transaction price is determined for each contract, and that amount is allocated to each performance obligation within the contract and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Quanta recognizes certain revenue over time as it performs its obligations because there is a continuous transfer of control of the deliverable to the customer. Under unit-price contracts with an insignificant amount of partially completed units, Quanta recognizes revenue as units are completed based on contractual pricing amounts. Under unit-price contracts with more than an insignificant amount of partially completed units and fixed price contracts, Quanta recognizes revenues as performance obligations are satisfied over time, with the percentage completion generally measured as the percentage of costs incurred to total estimated costs for such performance obligation. Under cost-plus contracts, Quanta recognizes revenue on an input basis, as labor hours are incurred, materials are utilized and services are performed.
Under contracts where Quanta has a right to consideration in an amount that directly corresponds to the value of completed performance, Quanta recognizes revenue in such amount and does not include such performance as a remaining performance obligation. Also, contract consideration is not adjusted for a significant financing component if payment is expected to be collected less than one year from when the services are performed.
Contract costs include all direct materials, labor and subcontract costs and indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and depreciation costs. The majority of the materials associated with Quanta’s work are owner-furnished, and therefore not included in contract revenues and costs. Additionally, Quanta may incur incremental costs to obtain certain contracts, such as selling and marketing costs, bid and proposal costs, sales commissions, and legal fees or initial set-up or mobilization costs, certain of which can be capitalized. Such costs were not material during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Contract Estimates
Actual revenues and project costs can vary, sometimes substantially, from previous estimates due to changes in a variety of factors, including unforeseen or changed circumstances not included in Quanta’s cost estimates or covered by its contracts. The estimating process is based on the professional knowledge and experience of Quanta’s project estimators, project managers and finance professionals. Some of the factors that can result in positive changes in estimates on projects include successful execution through project risks, reduction of estimated project costs or increases of estimated revenues. Some of the factors that can result in negative changes in estimates include concealed or unknown site conditions; changes to or disputes with customers regarding the scope of services; changes in estimates related to the length of time to complete a performance obligation; changes or delays with respect to permitting and regulatory requirements; changes in the cost of equipment, commodities, materials or skilled labor; unanticipated costs or claims due to delays or failure to perform by customers or third parties; customer failure to provide required materials or equipment; errors in engineering, specifications or designs; project modifications; adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, and other emergencies (including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic); and performance and quality issues causing delay (including payment of liquidated damages) or requiring rework or replacement. These factors, along with other risks inherent in performing services under fixed price contracts, are routinely evaluated by management. Any changes in estimates could result in changes to profitability or losses associated with the related performance obligations. For example, estimated costs for a performance obligation may increase from an original estimate, and contractual provisions may not allow for adequate compensation or reimbursement for such additional costs. Changes in
estimated revenues, costs and profit are recorded in the period they are determined to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. Contract losses are recognized in full when they are determined to be probable and can be reasonably estimated.
Changes in cost estimates on certain contracts may result in the issuance of change orders, which can be approved or unapproved by the customer, or the assertion of contract claims. Quanta determines the probability that costs associated with change orders and claims will be recovered based on, among other things, contractual entitlement, past practices with the customer, specific discussions or preliminary negotiations with the customer and verbal approvals by the customer. Quanta recognizes amounts associated with change orders and claims as revenue if it is probable that the contract price will be adjusted and the amount of any such adjustment can be reliably estimated. Most of Quanta’s change orders are for services that are not distinct from an existing contract and are accounted for as part of an existing contract on a cumulative catch-up basis. Quanta accounts for a change order as a separate contract if the additional goods or services are distinct from and increase the scope of the contract, and the price of the contract increases by an amount commensurate to Quanta’s standalone selling price for the additional goods or services.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Quanta had recognized revenues of $367.8 million and $141.2 million related to change orders and claims included as contract price adjustments that were in the process of being negotiated in the normal course of business. The largest component of the revenues recognized is associated with change orders and claims arising from delays, administrative requirements and labor issues on two transmission projects in Canada that negatively impacted productivity, which were primarily attributable to the COIVD-19 pandemic. The productivity and delays were significantly impacted due to governmental requirements and worksite restrictions associated with COVID-19. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2021, both of the projects were negatively impacted by unrelated wildfires, and one was also impacted by acceleration of the project timeline, all of which resulted in change orders. Quanta believes that the contracts for these projects entitle it to recover certain amounts associated with these delays. The aggregate amounts related to change orders and claims, which are included in “Contract assets” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, represent management’s estimates of additional contract revenues that have been earned and are probable of collection. However, Quanta’s estimates could change, and the amount ultimately realized could be significantly higher or lower than the estimated amount.
Variable consideration amounts, including performance incentives, early pay discounts and penalties, may also cause changes in contract estimates. The amount of variable consideration is estimated based on the most likely amount that is deemed probable of realization. Contract consideration is adjusted for variable consideration when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur once the uncertainty related to the variable consideration is resolved.
Changes in estimated revenues, costs and profit are recognized on a cumulative catch-up basis and recorded in the period they are determined to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such changes in estimates can result in the recognition of revenue in a current period for performance obligations that were satisfied or partially satisfied in prior periods or the reversal of previously recognized revenue if the currently estimated revenue is less than the previous estimate. The impact of a change in contract estimate is measured as the difference between the revenue or gross profit recognized in the prior period as compared to the revenue or gross profit which would have been recognized had the revised estimate been used as the basis of recognition in the prior period. Changes in estimates can also result in contract losses, which are recognized in full when they are determined to be probable and can be reasonably estimated.
Changes in Estimates
Revenues were positively impacted by $130.2 million, $27.0 million and $60.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 as a result of changes in estimates associated with performance obligations on fixed price contracts partially satisfied prior to December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Operating results for the year ended December 31, 2021, were favorably impacted by $111.5 million or 5.7% of gross profit as a result of aggregate changes in contract estimates related to projects that were in progress as of year ended December 31, 2020. The overall favorable impact resulted from net positive changes in estimates across a large number of projects, primarily as a result of favorable performance and successful mitigation of risks and contingencies as the projects progressed to completion.
Operating results for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were impacted by less than 5% as a result of aggregate changes in contract estimates related to projects that were in progress as of the corresponding prior year end. However, certain individual projects were materially impacted by changes to estimated contract revenues and/or project costs during these periods.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, revenues and gross profit were favorably impacted by $20.8 million as a result of successful execution through project risks and close-out activities on a large transmission project in the United States. Revenues and gross profit were also favorably impacted as a result of successful execution through project risks and close-out
activities on certain larger pipeline projects in the United States. The favorable impact related to these larger pipeline projects was offset by increased costs on two larger pipeline projects in Canada that experienced severe weather conditions during the year ended December 31, 2020, both of which were substantially complete as of December 31, 2020. With respect to all of these large pipeline projects, the aggregate net negative impact on gross profit related to work performed in prior periods was $10.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2020, Quanta was in the process of exiting its Latin American operations. These operations have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to shelter-in-place restrictions and other work disruptions, and as a result Quanta accelerated various contract terminations and other activities in order to expedite cessation of operations in the region. The decision to accelerate these exit activities materially changed certain contract estimates as of December 31, 2019 due to significant reductions in the volume of work to be performed, as well as lower productivity than expected. The majority of the impacts of these developments were not recoverable from the customers. These factors, as well as political and regulatory uncertainties and other customer challenges, resulted in changes in estimates on several projects and negatively impacted gross profit related to work performed in prior periods by $35.5 million in aggregate during year ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, substantially all of the projects in Latin America that were active at the beginning of 2020 had been completed.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, Quanta successfully completed an electric transmission project in Canada ahead of schedule during the three months ended March 31, 2019, which resulted in a reduction in estimated project costs and positively impacted gross profit related to work performed in prior periods by $30.1 million. Quanta also successfully executed through project risks on a larger pipeline transmission project, which resulted in a reduction of estimated project costs and positively impacted gross profit in 2019 related to work performed in prior periods by $22.9 million. Quanta also settled claims related to a larger natural gas transmission project that experienced losses in 2018, which increased revenues and gross profit in 2019 related to work performed in prior periods by $16.2 million. Additionally, Quanta experienced rework and start-up delays on a processing facility construction project, which resulted in additional estimated project costs and liquidated damages payable to the customer and negatively impacted gross profit related to work performed in prior periods by $29.4 million. As of December 31, 2021, this project was complete. Quanta also experienced unfavorable weather and labor-related impacts, as well as a project scope reduction, on an electric transmission project in southern California, which resulted in an increase in estimated project costs and a reduction in expected project earnings. These changes negatively impacted gross profit related to work performed in prior periods by $21.1 million. As of December 31, 2021, this project was approximately 99% complete. Additionally, the changes in contract estimates include the negative impact of the correction of $9.6 million of prior period errors related to the determination of total estimated project costs and the resulting revenue recognized on a large telecommunications project in Peru that was terminated during 2019.
Revenues by Category
The following tables present Quanta’s revenue disaggregated by geographic location, as determined by the job location, and by contract type (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
202120202019
By primary geographic location:
United States$11,068,493 85.3 %$9,618,951 85.8 %$10,190,684 84.0 %
Canada1,557,117 12.0 %1,252,365 11.2 %1,436,720 11.9 %
Australia221,038 1.7 %200,664 1.8 %187,915 1.6 %
Others133,565 1.0 %130,692 1.2 %296,834 2.5 %
Total revenues$12,980,213 100.0 %$11,202,672 100.0 %$12,112,153 100.0 %
Year Ended December 31,
202120202019
By contract type:
Unit-price contracts$5,029,100 38.7 %$4,172,363 37.2 %$4,193,295 34.6 %
Cost-plus contracts3,102,075 23.9 %2,649,770 23.7 %3,304,161 27.3 %
Fixed price contracts4,849,038 37.4 %4,380,539 39.1 %4,614,697 38.1 %
Total revenues$12,980,213 100.0 %$11,202,672 100.0 %$12,112,153 100.0 %
As described above, under unit-price contracts with more than an insignificant amount of partially completed units and fixed price contracts, revenue is recognized as performance obligations are satisfied over time, with the percentage completion generally measured as the percentage of costs incurred to total estimated costs for such performance obligation. Approximately 45.9%, 47.9% and 50.0% of Quanta’s revenues recognized during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were associated with this revenue recognition method.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
With respect to Quanta’s contracts, interim payments are typically received as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms, either at periodic intervals or upon achievement of contractual milestones. As a result, under fixed price contracts, the timing of revenue recognition and contract billings results in contract assets and contract liabilities. Contract assets represent revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed for fixed price contracts and are current assets that are transferred to accounts receivable when billed or the billing rights become unconditional. Contract assets are not considered a significant financing component as they are intended to protect the customer in the event Quanta does not perform on its obligations under the contract.
Conversely, contract liabilities represent billings in excess of revenues recognized for fixed price contracts. These arise under certain contracts that allow for upfront payments from the customer or contain contractual billing milestones, which result in billings that exceed the amount of revenues recognized for certain periods. Contract liabilities are current liabilities and are not considered to have a significant financing component, as they are used to meet working capital requirements that are generally higher in the early stages of a contract and are intended to protect Quanta from the other party failing to meet its obligations under the contract. Contract assets and liabilities are recorded on a performance obligation basis at the end of each reporting period.
Contract assets and liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31, 2021December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Contract assets$803,453 $453,832 $601,268 
Contract liabilities$802,872 $528,864 $606,146 
As referenced previously, contract assets and liabilities fluctuate period to period based on various factors, including, among others, changes in the number and size of projects in progress at period end; variability in billing and payment terms, such as up-front or advance billings, interim or milestone billings, deferred billings; and unapproved change orders and contract claims recognized in revenues. The increase in contract assets from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 was primarily due to increased working capital requirements related to progress on two large transmission projects in Canada and the timing
of billings, as well as the recognition of certain change orders and claims for such projects. Both of the projects were negatively impacted by delays and labor issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and unrelated wildfires, and one project was also impacted by acceleration of the project timeline, all of which resulted in change orders and an increase in contract assets. The decrease in contract assets from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020 was partially due to a decline in revenues related to contracts for which revenues are recognized over time. Additionally, Quanta’s exit from and the close out of projects in Latin America also contributed to the reduction. The increase in contract liabilities from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 was primarily due to the acquisition of Blattner, which had $227.0 million of contract liabilities as of the date of acquisition.
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Quanta recognized revenue of approximately $433.3 million, $491.5 million and $370.0 million related to contract liabilities outstanding at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses
Quanta adopted the new accounting standard for measuring credit losses effective January 1, 2020 utilizing the transition method that allows recognition of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Quanta’s financial results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020 are presented under the new standard, while financial results for prior periods continue to be reported in accordance with the prior standard and Quanta’s historical accounting policy. The net cumulative effect due to the adoption of the new standard was a $3.8 million reduction to retained earnings as of January 1, 2020, which represented a $5.1 million increase to allowance for credit losses, net of $1.3 million in deferred income taxes. The adjustment was based on an estimate of expected lifetime credit losses for financial instruments, primarily accounts receivable and contract assets. Although the adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on Quanta’s consolidated financial statements at the date of adoption, expected credit losses could change as a result of changes in credit loss experience, changes to specific risk characteristics of Quanta’s portfolio of financial assets or changes to management’s expectations of future economic conditions that affect the collectability of Quanta’s financial assets.
The assessment of the allowance for credit losses involves certain judgments and estimates. Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information from internal and external sources relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Expected credit losses are estimated by evaluating trends in historical write-off experience and applying historical loss ratios to pools of financial assets with similar risk characteristics. Quanta has determined that it has one pool for the purpose of calculating its historical credit loss experience.
Quanta’s historical loss ratio and its determination of risk pool, which are used to calculate expected credit losses, may be adjusted for changes in customer credit concentrations within its portfolio of financial assets, its customers’ ability to pay, and other considerations, such as economic and market changes, changes to regulatory or technological environments affecting customers and the consistency between current and forecasted economic conditions and historical economic conditions used to derive historical loss ratios. At the end of each quarter, management reassesses these and other relevant factors, including any potential effects from the uncertainties and challenges in the energy market and overall economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional allowance for credit losses is established for financial asset balances with specific customers where collectability has been determined to be improbable based on customer specific facts and circumstances. Quanta considers accounts receivable delinquent after 30 days but does not generally consider such amounts delinquent in its credit loss analysis unless the accounts receivable are at least 90 days past due. In addition to monitoring delinquent accounts, management monitors the credit quality of its receivables by, among other things, obtaining credit ratings of significant customers, assessing economic and market conditions and evaluating material changes to a customer’s business, cash flows and financial condition. Should anticipated recoveries relating to receivables fail to materialize, including anticipated recoveries relating to bankruptcies or other workout situations, Quanta could experience reduced cash flows and losses in excess of current allowances provided.
Activity in Quanta’s allowance for credit losses consisted of the following (in thousands):     
Year Ended December 31,
202120202019
Balance at beginning of year$16,546 $9,398 $5,839 
Cumulative effect of adoption of new credit loss standard— 5,067 — 
Provision for credit losses34,890 3,656 11,249 
Direct write-offs charged against the allowance(1,687)(1,575)(7,690)
Balance at end of year$49,749 $16,546 $9,398 
Provision for credit losses is included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the consolidated statements of operations.
The majority of the increase in provision for credit losses during 2021 was related to Limetree Bay Refining, LLC (Limetree Refining), a customer within Quanta’s Underground Utility and Infrastructure Solutions segment, that filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, as amended (the Bankruptcy Code), in July 2021 after experiencing operational and financial difficulties and shutting down operations at its refinery. As of December 31, 2021, Quanta had $31.3 million of receivables for services performed and other costs related to Limetree Refining and $0.4 million of receivables outstanding from an affiliate, which have been fully reserved. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, Quanta recorded a provision for credit loss of $23.6 million with respect to these receivables based on the estimated amount of expected loss at that time. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, as a result of developments in the bankruptcy proceeding, including the sale of Limetree Refinery in January 2021 for substantially less than its secured debts, and negotiations regarding payment of the amounts owed by Limetree Terminals, Quanta recorded an additional provision for credit losses of $8.1 million with respect to these receivables based on the current estimated amount of expected loss, which assumes that Quanta will not collect any of the receivables outstanding at December 31, 2021. See Concentrations of Credit Risk in Note 16 for further discussion of the credit quality of certain other outstanding receivables due from customers that have experienced financial difficulties.
Certain contracts allow customers to withhold a small percentage of billings pursuant to retainage provisions, and such amounts are generally due upon completion of the contract and acceptance of the project by the customer. Based on Quanta’s experience in recent years, the majority of these retainage balances are expected to be collected within one year. Retainage balances with expected settlement dates within one year of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $406.7 million and $306.3 million, which are included in “Accounts receivable.” Retainage balances as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 with expected settlement dates beyond one year were $93.9 million and $88.2 million and are included in “Other assets, net.”
Quanta recognizes unbilled receivables for non-fixed price contracts within “Accounts receivable” in certain circumstances, such as when revenues have been earned and recorded but the amount cannot be billed under the terms of the contract until a later date or when amounts arise from routine lags in billing (for example, work completed during one month but not billed until the next month). These balances do not include revenues recognized for work performed under fixed-price contracts, as these amounts are recorded as “Contract assets.” At December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, unbilled receivables included in “Accounts receivable” were $679.0 million, $472.3 million and $524.3 million. The increase in unbilled receivables from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 was primarily due to the ramp up of work and certain delays in billing related to certain large customers. Quanta also recognizes unearned revenues for non-fixed price contracts when cash is received prior to recognizing revenues for the related performance obligation. Unearned revenues, which are included in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses,” were $51.8 million, $53.6 million and $33.2 million at December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.