SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 1

to

SCHEDULE TO

Tender Offer Statement under Section 14(d)(1) Or 13(e)(1)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

CRA International, Inc.

(Name of Subject Company (Issuer) and Filing Person (Offeror))

 

 

Common Stock, no par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

12618T105

(CUSIP number of class of securities)

 

Paul A. Maleh

Chief Executive Officer

CRA International, Inc.

200 Clarendon Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5092

Telephone: (617) 425-3000

(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive notices and communications on behalf of filing person)

 

With copies to:

Peter M. Rosenblum, Esq. William R. Kolb, Esq. Stacie S. Aarestad, Esq. Foley Hoag LLP 155 Seaport Blvd. Boston, Massachusetts 02210 (617) 832-1000

Jonathan D. Yellin, Esq. CRA International, Inc. 200 Clarendon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 425-3000

 

CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
Transaction Valuation*		Amount of Filing Fee**
$25,000,000		$2,727.50

 

 

*	Calculated solely for purposes of determining the amount of the filing fee. This amount is based upon the offer to purchase for not more than $25,000,000 in aggregate of up to 377,358 shares of common stock of CRA International, Inc. at the minimum tender offer price of $66.25 per share in cash.
**	The amount of the filing fee, calculated pursuant to Rule 0-11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, equals $109.10 per million dollars of the value of the transaction.
x	Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

Amount Previously Paid:   $2,727.50		Filing Party:   CRA International, Inc.
Form or Registration No.:  Schedule TO-I		Date Filed:     March 8, 2021

¨	Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer.
Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates:
¨	third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1.
x	issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4.
¨	going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3.
¨	amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2.

Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer:     ¨

If applicable, check the appropriate box(es) below to designate the appropriate rule provision(s) relied upon:

¨	Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)
¨	Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)

 

 

This Amendment No. 1 amends and supplements the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (as may be further supplemented or amended from time to time, the "Schedule TO") initially filed by CRA International, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Company"), on March 8, 2021, pursuant to Rule 13e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), in connection with the Company's offer to purchase for cash up to $25,000,000 in value of shares of its common stock, no par value, at a purchase price not less than $66.25 per share nor greater than $76.00 per share, net to the seller in cash, less applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated March 8, 2021 (the “Offer to Purchase”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal (together with the Offer to Purchase, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Tender Offer”).

 

This Amendment No. 1 is being filed to amend and supplement certain provisions of the Schedule TO as set forth herein. Except as amended hereby to the extent specifically provided herein, all terms of the Tender Offer and all other disclosures set forth in the Schedule TO and the Exhibits thereto remain unchanged and are hereby expressly incorporated into this Amendment No. 1 by reference.

 

Item 11. Additional Information

 

Item 11 of the Schedule TO is hereby amended and supplemented by inserting the following at the end thereof:

 

On April 6, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the preliminary results of the Tender Offer, which expired at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 5, 2021. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit (a)(6) and is incorporated herein by reference. 

 

Item 12.  Exhibits.

 

Item 12 of the Schedule TO is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following exhibit:

 

(a)(6)

Press release announcing preliminary results of the tender offer, dated April 6, 2021.

 

Item 12.	Exhibits.
Exhibit No.		Description
(a)(1)(A)		Offer to Purchase dated March 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(A) to the Company's Schedule TO filed on March 8, 2021).
(a)(1)(B)		Letter of Transmittal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(B) to the Company's Schedule TO filed on March 8, 2021).
(a)(1)(C)		Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(C) to the Company's Schedule TO filed on March 8, 2021).
(a)(1)(D)		Letter to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees, dated March 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(D) to the Company's Schedule TO filed on March 8, 2021).
(a)(1)(E)		Letter to clients for use by brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees, dated March 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(E) to the Company's Schedule TO filed on March 8, 2021).
(a)(2)		Not applicable.
(a)(3)		Not applicable.
(a)(4)		Not applicable.
(a)(5)		Press release announcing the Tender Offer, dated March 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2021).
(a)(6)		Press release announcing preliminary results of the tender offer, dated April 6, 2021.

 

 

(b)(1)		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2017, by and among CRA International, Inc., CRA International (UK) Limited, CRA International (Netherlands) B.V., and CRA International Limited, as the Borrowers, Citizens Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, a Lender and an Issuing Bank, Bank of America, N.A., as a Lender and an Issuing Bank, and Santander Bank, N.A., as a Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2017).
(b)(2)		Incremental Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2021, by and among CRA International, Inc., CRA International (UK) Limited, CRA International (Netherlands) B.V., and CRA International Limited, as the Borrowers, Citizens Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and a 2021 Incremental Revolving Lender, and Bank of America, N.A., as a 2021 Incremental Revolving Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2021).
(b)(3)		Amended and Restated Securities Pledge Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2017, by and between CRA International, Inc., as Pledgor, and Citizens Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2017).
(c)		Not applicable.
(d)(1)		1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1/A filed on April 3, 1998).
(d)(2)		Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed on April 27, 2018).
(d)(3)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2006).
(d)(4)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Company Right of First Refusal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on February 12, 2009).
(d)(5)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2012).
(d)(6)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2017).
(d)(7)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2018).
(d)(8)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-Q filed on August 2, 2018).
(d)(9)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee or Independent Contractor Awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2006).
(d)(10)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee or Independent Contractor Awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Company Right of First Refusal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on February 12, 2009).
(d)(11)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee or Independent Contractor Awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2012).

 

 

(d)(12)		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee or Independent Contractor Award under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-Q filed on August 2, 2018).
(d)(13)		Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on February 8, 2007).
(d)(14)		Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Stock Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2012).
(d)(15)		Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2017).
(d)(16)		Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2018).
(d)(17)		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on January 29, 2010).
(d)(18)		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Stock Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2012).
(d)(19)		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2017).
(d)(20)		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2018).
(d)(21)		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Performance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on January 29, 2010).
(d)(22)		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Performance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Stock Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2012).
(d)(23)		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Performance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2017).
(d)(24)		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Performance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2018).
(d)(25)		CRA International, Inc. Cash Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Annex B to the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed on April 28, 2017).
(d)(26)		Form of Service Cash Awards Agreement under the Cash Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2016).
(d)(27)		Form of Performance Cash Awards Agreement under the Cash Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2016).
(d)(28)		Summary of Director Compensation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2020).
(e)		Not applicable.
(f)		Not applicable.
(g)		Not applicable.
(h)		Not applicable.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

	CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	By:	/s/ Daniel Mahoney
	Name: Daniel Mahoney
	Title: Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer

 

Dated: April 6, 2021

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.(a)(6)

 

Contacts:

Daniel Mahoney	Nicholas Manganaro
Chief Financial Officer	Sharon Merrill Associates, Inc.
Charles River Associates	crai@investorrelations.com
617-425-3505	617-542-5300

 

CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATES (CRA) ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF
ITS MODIFIED DUTCH AUCTION TENDER OFFER

 

BOSTON, April 6, 2021 – Charles River Associates (NASDAQ: CRAI), a worldwide leader in providing economic, financial, and management consulting services, today announced the preliminary results of its previously announced modified “Dutch auction” self-tender offer to purchase for cash up to $25 million in value of shares of its common stock at a price not less than $66.25 and not greater than $76.00 per share. The tender offer expired at 5:00 pm, Eastern Time, on Monday, April 5, 2021.

 

Based on the preliminary count by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the depositary for the tender offer, a total of 419,549 shares of common stock were properly tendered and not properly withdrawn at or below the purchase price of $74.00 per share, including 53,273 shares that were tendered by notice of guaranteed delivery. 2,449 shares were conditionally tendered based on the preliminary count by the depositary. Because the tender offer was oversubscribed, the relative number of shares of common stock that will be purchased from each shareholder will be prorated based on the number of shares of common stock properly tendered.

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender offer, and based on the preliminary count by the depositary, CRA expects to acquire approximately 337,837 shares of its common stock at a price of $74.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $25 million, excluding fees and expenses related to the tender offer.

 

The number of shares of common stock to be purchased is preliminary and subject to change. The preliminary information contained in this press release is subject to confirmation by the depositary and is based on the assumption that all shares of common stock tendered through notice of guaranteed delivery will be delivered within the two business day settlement period. The final number of shares to be purchased will be announced following the expiration of the guaranteed delivery period and completion by the depositary of the confirmation process. Payment for the shares accepted for purchase pursuant to the tender offer will occur promptly thereafter.

 

 

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of CRA’s common stock. The offer was made solely by the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal, as they may be amended or supplemented, that CRA filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and investors may obtain them for free from the Securities and Exchange Commission at its website (www.sec.gov) or from Georgeson LLC, the information agent for the tender offer, by telephone toll-free at (800) 676-0098 or in writing to 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10104. Any questions about the tender offer should be directed to the information agent, Georgeson LLC at (800) 676-0098.

 

About Charles River Associates (CRA)

 

Charles River Associates® is a leading global consulting firm specializing in economic, financial and management consulting services. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its unique combination of functional expertise and industry knowledge, and for its objective solutions to complex problems. Headquartered in Boston, CRA has offices throughout the world. Detailed information about Charles River Associates, a registered trade name of CRA International, Inc., is available at www.crai.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking” statements as defined in Section 21 of the Exchange Act. These statements are based upon our current expectations and various underlying assumptions. Although we believe there is a reasonable basis for these statements and assumptions, and these statements are expressed in good faith, these statements are subject to a number of additional factors and uncertainties. These factors include, but are not limited to, the possibility that shareholders may not tender their shares in the tender offer or other conditions to completion of the tender offer are not satisfied and, with respect to our future business, operating results and financial condition; the possibility that the demand for our services may decline as a result of changes in general and industry specific economic conditions; the effects of competitive services and pricing; our ability to attract and retain key employee or non-employee experts; the inability to integrate and utilize existing consultants and personnel; the decline or reduction in project work or activity; global economic conditions including less stable political and economic environments; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. For further details of the risks to the tender offer, you should read our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission related to the tender offer, including our Schedule TO and the documents referred to therein. Further information on the above factors and other potential factors that could affect our future business, operating results and financial condition is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2021 and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including risks under the heading “Risk Factors.” We cannot guarantee any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this press release, and we do not intend to do so.