15. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Lease Commitments

At January 2, 2016, CRA had the following minimum rental commitments for office space and equipment leases, all of which are under non-cancelable operating leases (in thousands):

Fiscal Year	Rental Commitments
2016	$	8,906
2017		8,621
2018		7,648
2019		6,815
2020		6,530
Thereafter		35,956

	$	74,476

Certain office leases contain renewal options that CRA may exercise at its discretion, which were not included in the amounts above. Rent expense was approximately $11.6 million, $10.0 million, and $9.6 million in fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014, and fiscal 2013, respectively.

On February 24, 2014, CRA entered into an agreement to lease 57,602 square feet of office space in Boston, Massachusetts. The lease commenced on February 1, 2015 and is set to expire on July 31, 2025. Subject to certain conditions, the lease will be extendible for two five-year periods. The annual base rent under the lease is approximately $2.4 million for the first lease year, and is subject to annual increases of approximately 2% per annum. The performance of CRA's obligations under the lease is secured by a $1.0 million letter of credit. On February 24, 2015, CRA signed a first amendment to lease additional office space of 10,057 square feet for a total of 67,659 square feet. The lease commenced on June 15, 2015 and is set to expire on June 30, 2020. Subject to certain conditions, the lease will be extendible for one three-year period. The annual fixed rent under the lease is approximately $0.5 million. The original lease included a tenant improvement allowance of approximately $4.8 million, as well as a rent abatement of approximately $1.2 million.

On November 29, 1999, CRA entered into an agreement to lease 44,932 square feet of office space in Washington, D.C. The lease commenced on May 1, 2000 and was set to expire on February 28, 2011. The original annual base rent was approximately $1.4 million for the first year, and subject to annual increases of approximately 2% per annum. Subsequent to entering into the lease, the original lease has had five amendments with the last being signed on June 30, 2015. The amended and restated lease consists of 33,458 square feet, is set to expire on December 31, 2027, and has an annual base rent of approximately $1.4 million for the first year, subject to increases of 2.25% per annum. The amended and restated addendum includes a tenant improvement allowance of approximately $2.8 million and a rent abatement of approximately $2.3 million. The performance of CRA's obligations under the lease is secured by a $0.2 million letter of credit.

On July 15, 2015, CRA entered into an agreement to lease 25,261 square feet of office space in New York, New York. The lease commenced on August 1, 2015 with a rent commencement date of June 1, 2016. The lease will expire on May 31, 2026, and subject to certain conditions, will be extendible for one five-year period. The annual base rent under the lease is approximately $1.8 million per annum for the first five years of the lease's base term, and is subject to increase to $2.0 million per annum during the remainder of the lease's base term. The lease includes a ten month base rent abatement period from lease commencement to rent commencement date for a total abatement of approximately $1.5 million. In addition, the lease includes a tenant improvement allowance of approximately $2.1 million. The performance of CRA's obligations under the lease is secured by a $0.9 million letter of credit.

On February 14, 2008, CRA entered into an agreement to lease 36,570 square feet of office space in Chicago, Illinois. The lease commenced on April 1, 2008 with a rent commencement date of August 1, 2008. The lease will expire on July 31, 2018. The annual base rent under the lease was approximately $1.0 million in fiscal year 2015 and is subject to 2.5% increases per annum during the remainder of the lease's term. The lease included an eight month rent abatement period from rent commencement date to March 31, 2009 for a total abatement of approximately $0.6 million. In addition, the lease included a tenant improvement allowance of approximately $2.4 million.

On October 26, 2006, CRA entered into an agreement to lease 32,168 square feet of office space in London, UK for the 24th, 25, and 26th floors. The leases commenced on March 1, 2007 for the 25th and 26th floors and November 1, 2007 for the 24th floor. The 24th floor lease terminated on June 30, 2012. The 25th and 26th floor leases are set to expire on October 2, 2016. The initial base rent for the three floors was approximately 1.8 million GBP per year and in 2015, the base rent was approximately 1.2 million GBP. At the end of the lease, CRA will be responsible to return the vacated floors to original condition at CRA's expense.

Other

CRA is party to standby letters of credit with its bank in support of the minimum future lease payments under leases for permanent office space and bonds required per the terms of certain project proposals and contracts amounting to $2.5 million as of January 2, 2016.

Outstanding debt related to NeuCo amounted to $75,000 at January 2, 2016 and was reported as current portion of note payable on the consolidated balance sheet. This debt was repaid on February 16, 2016. See note 17, "Subsequent Events," regarding this NeuCo debt.

Contingencies

CRA's contingent consideration obligation relating to a previous acquisition amounted to $773 thousand and $316 thousand at January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, respectively. The amount of this obligation is computed based on the likelihood of achieving certain forecasted revenues over the contractual measurement period. The liability is re-measured on a quarterly basis.

CRA is subject to legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In management's opinion, CRA believes it has adequate legal defenses and/or insurance coverage with respect to the eventuality of such actions. CRA does not believe any settlement or judgment relating to any pending legal action would materially affect its financial position or results of operations.