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Jacobs (J) to Spin-off and Merge Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber & Intelligence Government Services Businesses with Amentum, Will Create Separate Publicly Traded Company

November 21, 2023 4:15 AM

Jacobs (NYSE: J) announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to spin-off and combine its Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber & Intelligence government services businesses with Amentum, a leading global engineering and technology solutions provider, to create a new, publicly-traded player in the government services sector. In May, Jacobs first announced the intent to separate its CMS business to create two separate companies, each positioned for greater success. Today's transaction announcement is the outcome of a comprehensive review of all alternatives, including inbound inquiries resulting from that initial announcement.

The combination creates a robust, leading government technology solutions business with ~$13 billion1 annual revenue, consisting of Jacobs' Critical Mission Solutions, the Cyber & Intelligence portions of its Divergent Solutions (DVS) business, and Amentum. Jacobs' Cyber & Intelligence Solutions, which share significant strategic and operational synergies with CMS, generated $807 million in revenue (approximately 85% of DVS's revenues) in fiscal year 2023. Jacobs will retain its innovative, next-generation data solutions and digital technologies business, which is part of its DVS segment and core to delivering digitally enabled critical infrastructure solutions to clients.

"By separating CMS and associated Cyber & Intelligence Solutions, Jacobs will streamline our business portfolio and transform into a more focused, higher-margin company more closely aligned with key global mega trends," said Jacobs CEO Bob Pragada. "We believe this transaction is in the best interests of the company and our stakeholders, gaining the benefits of a tax efficient transaction, plus even greater value with significant cash proceeds and future realization of synergies. I am confident the CMS and Cyber & Intelligence Solutions teams are poised for continued success in their new chapter as part of a more focused, independent public company that will be a leading player in the critical mission government services space – with both breadth and depth of capabilities across a more diversified portfolio."

"Uniting our great organizations – Amentum, CMS, and Cyber & Intelligence Solutions – creates a leading provider of systems integration and technology solutions with the talent, scope, scale and footprint to deliver excellence and a wider range of solutions for our clients," commented Amentum CEO John Heller. "Our combined company will deliver extensive expertise in the government's highest priority areas of energy, space exploration, intelligence and analytics, and digital modernization. We look forward to the union of our strong teams and a bright future ahead."

Focused Critical Infrastructure and Sustainability Leader

The transaction marks an important milestone in Jacobs' journey to become a more focused and higher value company. Post-separation, Jacobs will continue to be a premier technology-enabled solutions provider focused on addressing the world's most complex critical infrastructure and sustainability challenges with leading positions in the attractive water and environment, energy transition, transportation and advanced manufacturing sectors. Excluding the businesses being separated, Jacobs generated approximately $10.9 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2023.

Governance and Management

Upon completion of the deal, Jacobs Executive Chair Steve Demetriou will become Executive Chair of the combined company. John Heller, current CEO of Amentum, will serve as CEO of the combined company and sit on the combined company's board, and Dr. Steve Arnette, EVP and President of CMS will serve as the COO.

"Over the last eight years, our focus has been to drive a cultural and business transformation to position Jacobs as a technology-enabled solutions provider and one of the world's most innovative companies," said Steve Demetriou. "I look forward to working alongside John, Steve and the board to help bring that same dedicated focus to successfully launch this new public company and deliver significant value-added opportunities for clients, shareholders and employees."

The board of directors of the combined company will initially be composed of an equal number of directors appointed by Jacobs and Amentum. Members of the combined company's senior management team will be drawn from both companies and will be announced at a later date as integration planning progresses.

Strategic Rationale of the Combination2

Transaction Details

The transaction is being structured as a Reverse Morris Trust transaction intended to be tax-free to Jacobs' shareholders for U.S. federal tax purposes, consistent with the tax-free nature of the previously announced plan to separate CMS by means of a spin-off. Key details of the transaction include:

Fiscal Q1 2024 Earnings Results and New Productivity Targets

Jacobs will discuss this transaction tomorrow, Nov. 21, on a conference call/webcast scheduled at 9:00 a.m. ET. This will be followed by its fiscal fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results call at 10:00 a.m. ET. Interested parties can listen to the conference calls and view accompanying slides on the investor page at www.jacobs.com, webcasting live at https://invest.jacobs.com.

In connection with Jacobs' strategic portfolio streamlining, the company is announcing a new cost optimization plan, including the elimination of stranded costs, to be executed over the next 24 months. Further details regarding the cost optimization plan and expectations for the enhanced profitability profile of Jacobs post separation will be provided in tomorrow's quarterly earnings call.

Advisors

Centerview Partners LLC and Perella Weinberg Partners LP are serving as financial advisors to Jacobs and Wachtell Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to the Jacobs Board of Directors. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Amentum, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is serving as legal advisor.

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