GENERAL DYNAMICS CORP | 2013 | FY | 3


CONTRACTS IN PROCESS
Contracts in process represent recoverable costs and, where applicable, accrued profit related to long-term contracts that have been inventoried until the customer is billed, and consisted of the following:
December 31
2012
 
2013
Contract costs and estimated profits
$
8,162

 
$
7,961

Other contract costs
1,089

 
1,178

 
9,251

 
9,139

Advances and progress payments
(4,287
)
 
(4,359
)
Total contracts in process
$
4,964

 
$
4,780


Contract costs consist primarily of labor, material, overhead and G&A expenses. Contract costs also may include estimated contract recoveries for matters such as contract changes and claims for unanticipated contract costs. We record revenue associated with these matters only when the amount of recovery can be estimated reliably and realization is probable. Assumed recoveries for claims included in contracts in process were not material on December 31, 2012 or 2013.
Other contract costs represent amounts that are not currently allocable to government contracts, such as a portion of our estimated workers’ compensation obligations, other insurance-related assessments, pension and other post-retirement benefits and environmental expenses. These costs will become allocable to contracts generally after they are paid. We expect to recover these costs through ongoing business, including existing backlog and probable follow-on contracts. If the backlog in the future does not support the continued deferral of these costs, the profitability of our remaining contracts could be adversely affected.
Excluding our other contract costs, we expect to bill all but approximately 15 percent of our year-end 2013 contracts-in-process balance during 2014. Of the amount not expected to be billed in 2014, approximately $315 relates to a single contract, the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project (MHP), as the prime contract is behind schedule. Ultimately, we believe these delays will be resolved and the balance will be billed and collected.

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