8-K

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): November 26, 2018

 

 

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   000-21433   04-2797789

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

60 Acorn Park Drive

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(617) 613-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changes since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On November 26, 2018, Forrester Research, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Forrester”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Forrester, Supernova Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Forrester (“Acquisition Corp.”), SiriusDecisions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the stockholders named therein (the “Founder Stockholders”), and Fortis Advisors LLC, solely in its capacity as the Stockholder Representative.

The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Acquisition Corp. will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Forrester (the “Merger”). At the effective time of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), and each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock” and, together with the Preferred Stock, the “Company Capital Stock”) of the Company (other than shares of Company Capital Stock (i) held in treasury by the Company or owned by any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company, (ii) owned by Forrester or Acquisition Corp. or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Forrester, or (iii) held by stockholders who neither voted in favor of the Merger nor consented thereto in writing and who shall have demanded properly in writing appraisal for such shares in accordance with Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) will be converted into the right to receive a portion of the aggregate cash consideration payable in respect of the Merger, which will consist of $245,000,000, as adjusted with respect to the cash, indebtedness, unpaid transaction fees and expenses, and working capital of the Company and its subsidiaries prior to the closing of the Merger (the “Closing Cash Merger Consideration”). Each outstanding stock option of the Company (other than those which are unvested and do not become vested in connection with the Merger) will be cancelled upon the consummation of the Merger in exchange for a cash payment based on the Closing Cash Merger Consideration (net of option exercise price and applicable taxes). All unvested stock options of the Company will be cancelled without consideration upon the consummation of the Merger.

The consummation of the Merger is subject to certain conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of any waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (ii) the absence of any law or order prohibiting consummation of the Merger, (iii) with respect to Forrester’s obligation to consummate the Merger, the absence of any Material Adverse Effect (as that term is defined in the Merger Agreement) with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries, (iv) the continuing accuracy of each party’s representations and warranties, (v) the performance in all material respects by the other party of its obligations under the Merger Agreement, and (vi) the satisfaction of other customary conditions. The consummation of the Merger is not subject to a financing condition. The Merger is expected to be consummated in the first quarter of 2019, and, in any event, the closing of the transaction may not occur until January 3, 2019, without Forrester’s written consent.

The Merger Agreement also includes customary termination provisions for both the Company and Forrester, including if the Merger has not been consummated by February 25, 2019. The Merger Agreement also provides that Forrester will be required to pay the Company a reverse termination fee of $9.8 million if all of the other conditions to Forrester’s obligation to close the transaction have been satisfied (other than those conditions


that, by their nature, are to be satisfied at the closing of the transaction), the Company has confirmed to Forrester that it is ready, willing, and able to consummate the Merger, Forrester fails to consummate the Merger as a result of its failure to obtain the debt financing, and the Company elects to terminate the Merger Agreement.

The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties, and covenants by the parties that are customary for a transaction of this nature. The sellers will have no obligation to indemnify Forrester under the Merger Agreement for breaches of the Company’s representations or warranties (with the exception of breaches related to the Company’s fundamental representations relating to its organization, authority, and capitalization and other than in the case of fraud), and Forrester’s recourse for any such breaches will be limited to a representations and warranties insurance policy to be purchased by Forrester prior to the Closing.

On November 26, 2018, following execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company delivered the written consent of stockholders holding approximately ninety-five percent (95%) of the outstanding Company Capital Stock approving and authorizing the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The stockholder consent is sufficient to satisfy the stockholder vote requirement for the Merger under applicable law and the Company’s charter documents.

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, certain members of the Company’s management team, including the Founder Stockholders, have entered into employment agreements with Forrester which will become effective upon consummation of the Merger. Certain of the Company stockholders, including the Founder Stockholders, have also entered into customary restrictive covenant agreements with Forrester pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, for certain periods, not to compete with the Company, solicit or hire certain employees, or disclose confidential information of the Company.

The foregoing summary of the Merger Agreement is summary in nature and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full and complete terms of the Merger Agreement. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The above description of the Merger Agreement is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company, Forrester, or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement and only as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties in connection with negotiating the terms of the Merger Agreement, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made by each party to the other for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between them. In addition, certain representations and warranties may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from those generally applicable to investors and may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. Information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties, and covenants may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures by the Company or Forrester. Investors should not rely on the representations, warranties, or covenants or any description thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company, Forrester, or any of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, or businesses.

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, on November 26, 2018, Forrester entered into a debt financing commitment letter (the “Debt Commitment Letter”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Commitment Party”). Pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter, the Commitment Party has, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, committed to provide Forrester with: (1) a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million (the “Term Loan Facility”) and (2) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together


with the Term Loan Facility, the “Facilities”). The proceeds of the Term Loan Facility will be used, upon the consummation of the Merger, to (1) finance all or a portion of the cash consideration for the Merger and (2) pay the fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger (collectively, the “Acquisition Consideration”). The proceeds of the Revolving Credit Facility may be used to finance a portion of the Acquisition Consideration and for working capital and other general corporate purposes of Forrester and its subsidiaries; provided that no more than $50.0 million may be borrowed on the closing date of the Merger under the Revolving Credit Facility. The availability of the borrowings under the Facilities is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions, including the consummation of the Merger. The foregoing description of the Debt Commitment Letter does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Debt Commitment Letter, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01.

Regulation FD Disclosure.

On November 27, 2018, Forrester issued a press release announcing that it had entered into the Merger Agreement described above. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. In the press release, Forrester announced a conference call to be held at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and simultaneously broadcast live over the internet at forrester.com. An online archive of the webcast will be available on Forrester’s website. A copy of the supplemental slides which will be discussed during Forrester’s call is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information under this Item 7.01 and both Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 attached hereto are being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), nor shall such information or exhibits be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. The furnishing of Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 attached hereto is not intended to constitute a determination by the Company that the information is material or that the dissemination of the information is required by Regulation FD.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November  26, 2018, by and among Forrester Research, Inc., Supernova Acquisition Corp., SiriusDecisions, Inc., the Founder Stockholders named therein, and Fortis Advisors LLC, as Stockholder Representative
10.1    Debt Commitment Letter, dated November 26, 2018, between Forrester Research, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
99.1    Press Release, dated November 27, 2018
99.2    Investor Presentation, dated November 27, 2018


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.
By  

/s/ Ryan D. Darrah

Name:   Ryan D. Darrah
Title:   Chief Legal Officer

Date: November 27, 2018

EX-2.1

Exhibit 2.1*

EXECUTION COPY

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

BY AND AMONG

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.,

SUPERNOVA ACQUISITION CORP.,

SIRIUSDECISIONS, INC.

THE FOUNDER STOCKHOLDERS NAMED HEREIN

AND

FORTIS ADVISORS LLC AS STOCKHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE

DATED AS OF November 26, 2018

 

*

Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has omitted the Disclosure Schedule and the schedules and exhibits to this Agreement and Plan of Merger. Further explanation of the contents of the Disclosure Schedule can be found in the applicable sections of the Agreement and Plan of Merger. A copy of such schedules and exhibits will be furnished supplementally to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.


ARTICLE 1     
 

THE MERGER

     2  

1.1

 

The Merger

     2  

1.2

 

The Closing and the Effective Time; Closing Deliveries

     2  

1.3

 

Effect of the Merger

     2  

1.4

 

Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation

     3  

1.5

 

Effect of the Merger on the Company Capital Stock and the Capital Stock of Acquisition Corp

     3  

1.6

 

Mechanism of Payment of Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration; Delivery of Certificates

     5  

1.7

 

Stock Options

     7  

1.8

 

No Further Ownership Rights in the Company Capital Stock

     8  

1.9

 

Indebtedness; Company Transaction Expenses

     8  

1.10

 

Dissenting Shares

     9  

1.11

 

Closing Adjustment, etc.

     9  

1.12

 

Founder Proceeds Payments

     14  

1.13

 

Transfer Taxes

     15  

1.14

 

Paying Agent

     15  

1.15

 

Escrow Agent

     15  
ARTICLE 2     
 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     15  

2.1

 

Organization; Power

     16  

2.2

 

Authorization; Binding Effect

     16  

2.3

 

No Conflicts

     17  

2.4

 

Company Approvals and Filings

     17  

2.5

 

Capitalization; Subsidiaries

     17  

2.6

 

Title to Assets

     19  

2.7

 

Real Property

     19  

2.8

 

Financial Statements and Related Matters

     20  

2.9

 

Subsequent Events

     21  

2.10

 

Legal Compliance

     21  

2.11

 

Tax Matters

     22  

2.12

 

Intellectual Property

     23  

2.13

 

Contracts

     27  

2.14

 

Insurance

     29  

2.15

 

Litigation

     29  

2.16

 

Books and Records

     29  

2.17

 

Employment Matters

     29  

2.18

 

Employee Benefits

     31  


2.19

 

Environmental Matters

     33  

2.20

 

Transaction with Affiliates

     33  

2.21

 

Customers and Suppliers

     34  

2.22

 

Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable

     34  

2.23

 

Vote Required

     34  

2.24

 

Certain Payments

     35  

2.25

 

International Trade Laws

     35  

2.26

 

Brokers’ Fees

     36  
ARTICLE 3     
 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT AND ACQUISITION CORP

     36  

3.1

 

Organization and Power

     36  

3.2

 

Authorization

     36  

3.3

 

Absence of Conflicts

     37  

3.4

 

Governmental Authorities and Consents

     37  

3.5

 

Litigation

     37  

3.6

 

Ownership of Acquisition Corp.; No Prior Activities

     37  

3.7

 

Brokerage

     37  

3.8

 

Financing

     37  

3.9

 

Due Diligence Review

     39  

3.10

 

Restricted Securities

     39  
ARTICLE 4     
 

COVENANTS

     39  

4.1

 

Further Actions

     39  

4.2

 

Filings and Actions with respect to Antitrust Laws

     40  

4.3

 

Conduct of Business Prior to Closing

     41  

4.4

 

Access

     43  

4.5

 

Contact with Customers, Suppliers and Employees

     43  

4.6

 

Schedule Updates

     43  

4.7

 

Financing Activities

     44  

4.8

 

Financing Cooperation

     46  

4.9

 

Parent Actions

     47  

4.10

 

Public Announcements

     47  

4.11

 

Exclusivity

     47  

4.12

 

R&W Insurance Policy

     48  

4.13

 

Employee Matters

     48  

4.14

 

Termination of Certain Agreements

     49  

4.15

 

280G

     49  

4.16

 

Stockholder Approval

     50  

4.17

 

Leakage

     50  

4.18

 

Disclaimer

     51  

 

ii


ARTICLE 5     
 

CONDITIONS TO THE CLOSING

     52  

5.1

 

Conditions Precedent to Each Party’s Obligations

     52  

5.2

 

Conditions to Obligations of the Parent

     52  

5.3

 

Conditions to Obligation of the Company

     54  
ARTICLE 6     
 

TERMINATION

     54  

6.1

 

Termination

     54  

6.2

 

Effect of Termination

     56  

6.3

 

Termination Fee

     56  
ARTICLE 7     
 

CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS

     57  

7.1

 

Books and Records

     57  

7.2

 

Director and Officer Liability

     57  

7.3

 

Further Assurance

     58  

7.4

 

Surviving Corporation as a Covenanting Party

     58  
ARTICLE 8     
 

DEFINED TERMS

     58  

8.1

 

Previously Defined Terms

     58  

8.2

 

Definitions

     58  

8.3

 

Interpretation

     72  
ARTICLE 9     
 

MISCELLANEOUS

     73  

9.1

 

Cost and Expenses

     73  

9.2

 

Entire Agreement

     74  

9.3

 

Counterparts

     74  

9.4

 

Assignment, Successors and Assigns

     74  

9.5

 

Savings Clause

     74  

9.6

 

Headings

     74  

9.7

 

Governing Law

     74  

9.8

 

US Dollars

     74  

9.9

 

Notices

     75  

9.10

 

Disclosure Schedule

     76  

9.11

 

Waiver of Conflict

     76  

9.12

 

SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE

     77  

9.13

 

Specific Performance

     78  

9.14

 

No Third-Party Beneficiary

     79  

9.15

 

Amendments and Waivers

     79  

9.16

 

Stockholder Representative

     79  

9.17

 

Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties

     83  

9.18

 

Non-Recourse

     84  

 

iii


SCHEDULES     
Schedule I  

Allocation Schedule

  
Schedule II  

Indebtedness Schedule

  
Schedule III  

Net Working Capital Schedule

  
Schedule IV  

Knowledge Parties

  
EXHIBITS     
EXHIBIT A  

Certificate of Merger

  
EXHIBIT B  

Certificate of Incorporation

  
EXHIBIT C  

Letter of Transmittal

  

 

iv


This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of November 26, 2018, by and among Forrester Research, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), Supernova Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Acquisition Corp.”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent, SiriusDecisions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the undersigned Founder Stockholders named herein, and Fortis Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (in such capacity, the “Stockholder Representative”). The Parent, the Acquisition Corp., the Company, the Founder Stockholders, and the Stockholder Representative are referred to collectively as the “Parties” and each individually as a “Party.” Certain definitions are set forth in Article 8 below.

RECITALS

A.    Parent, Acquisition Corp. and the Company intend to effect a merger of Acquisition Corp. with and into the Company in accordance with this Agreement and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), with the Company to be the surviving corporation of the Merger, whereby each issued and outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) and each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock” and together with the Preferred Stock, the “Company Capital Stock”) of the Company (other than the Company Capital Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.5(c) and other than the Dissenting Shares) shall be converted into the right to receive a portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration (as defined herein) upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and based upon the applicable rights, preferences and privileges of the Company Capital Stock as set forth in the Company Charter.

B.    The board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, unanimously (i) determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the Stockholders (as defined herein), (ii) declared the advisability of and approved the execution of this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (iii) recommended that the Stockholders adopt this Agreement and approve the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and approve the Merger.

C.    The holders of Preferred Stock have unanimously determined to approve and adopt this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of the Stockholders Agreements.

D.    Immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain, in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL, the written consent of Stockholders representing no less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock (the latter voting together with the shares of Common Stock on an as-converted basis) adopting this Agreement and approving the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with Section 251 of the DGCL (the “Written Consent”).


E.    The boards of directors of the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. have, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, unanimously approved the adoption and execution of this Agreement, the Merger, and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and Parent, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of the Acquisition Corp. will act by written consent to approve this Agreement, the Merger, and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

THE MERGER

1.1    The Merger. At the Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the DGCL, Acquisition Corp. shall be merged with and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of Acquisition Corp. shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the Surviving Corporation and as a direct, wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger”). The surviving corporation after the Merger is referred to herein as the “Surviving Corporation.”

1.2    The Closing and the Effective Time; Closing Deliveries. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) will take place at 10:00 a.m. local time at the offices of DLA Piper LLP (US), 33 Arch Street, 26th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, three (3) Business Days following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to Closing set forth in Article 5 (other than the conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing) unless another time or place is mutually agreed upon in writing by Parent and the Company; provided, however, that the Closing shall not occur before January 3, 2019, without the written consent of Parent. The date upon which the Closing actually occurs shall be referred to herein at the “Closing Date.” On the Closing Date, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger (the “Certificate of Merger”), in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, as required by, and executed in accordance with, the applicable provisions of the DGCL (the time of such filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or such later time as may be agreed upon in writing by Parent and the Company and specified in the Certificate of Merger, shall be referred to herein as the “Effective Time”), and the Closing will be deemed to have occurred at the Effective Time.

1.3    Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed to pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Acquisition Corp. shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Acquisition Corp. shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

 

2


1.4    Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any additional action on the part of Acquisition Corp. or the Company, (a) the certificate of incorporation of the Company shall be amended and restated as set forth on Exhibit B hereto (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation; and (b) the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation shall be the bylaws of Acquisition Corp., as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, in each case until duly amended as provided therein or by applicable Laws. The board of directors of Acquisition Corp. immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation immediately after the Effective Time, each to hold such office in accordance with the provisions of the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Company immediately after the Effective Time, each to hold such office in accordance with the provisions of the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.

1.5    Effect of the Merger on the Company Capital Stock and the Capital Stock of Acquisition Corp.

(a)    Effect on the Company Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Acquisition Corp., the Company or the holders of Company Capital Stock:

(i)    Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, excluding any Dissenting Shares and except as provided pursuant to Section 1.5(c), will be canceled and extinguished and automatically converted into the right to receive from Parent (A) the Initial Per Share Merger Consideration plus (B) the Additional Per Share Merger Consideration (if any) (collectively, the “Aggregate Common Stock Merger Consideration”).

(ii)    Preferred Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time, excluding any Dissenting Shares, will be canceled and extinguished and automatically converted into the right to receive from Parent (A) the Initial Per Share Merger Consideration plus (B) the Additional Per Share Merger Consideration (if any) (collectively, the “Aggregate Preferred Stock Merger Consideration”).

(iii)    All shares of Company Capital Stock, when converted and canceled pursuant to this Section 1.5(a), shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired, and each former holder of Company Capital Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the consideration provided for in this Section 1.5(a).

(b)    Capital Stock of Acquisition Corp. Each share of the capital stock of Acquisition Corp. issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one share of the capital stock of the Surviving Corporation. Each share certificate of Acquisition Corp. evidencing ownership of any such shares shall, from and after the Effective Time, evidence ownership of such shares of the common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

 

3


(c)    Cancellation of Treasury Stock. Any Company Capital Stock that is owned or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by Parent or Acquisition Corp. as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be automatically canceled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

(d)    Allocation Schedule. No later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Parent a schedule to be attached hereto as Schedule I (the “Allocation Schedule”) setting forth the Company’s good faith estimates of, with respect to each Seller (i) the number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, and In-the-Money Options held by such Seller, together with the certificate number(s) for the Certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, and such Seller’s address of record; (ii) the portion (expressed as a dollar amount and as a percentage) of the Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration and Option Payment, as applicable, payable to such Seller at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement in respect of such Seller’s Company Capital Stock or In-the-Money Stock Options; (iii) such Seller’s portion (expressed as a dollar amount and as a percentage) of the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Amount to be disbursed to the Escrow Agent at the Closing; (iv) such Seller’s portion (expressed as a dollar amount and as a percentage of the Expense Reserve Account to be disbursed to the Stockholder Representative at the Closing; (v) such Seller’s Pro Rata Share; and (vi) correct and complete wire or other payment instructions of the Company, the Stockholder Representative, and any third parties to which unpaid Transaction Expenses are payable by the Company. The Parties hereby agree that the Allocation Schedule shall govern the allocation among the Sellers of any payments to or from the Sellers that are contemplated by this Agreement. The Company and the Sellers hereby agree that the Allocation Schedule shall be prepared pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements of and priorities set forth in the Company Charter, the by-laws of the Company and the Stockholders Agreements (each as in effect on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing). Parent shall be entitled to rely, without inquiry and without any liability whatsoever, solely on the Allocation Schedule with respect to the amounts allocated and payable to the Sellers pursuant thereto. The parties further agree that the Stockholder Representative shall be required to update the Allocation Schedule from time to time to reflect the allocation of any payment to Sellers and to promptly furnish any such update to Parent and the Paying Agent. Once the Paying Agent and, to the extent required, the Surviving Corporation have made all payments required to be made hereunder to the Sellers or the Stockholder Representative on their behalf in accordance with the Allocation Schedule, such payments shall constitute a complete discharge of the applicable payment obligations of Parent and Acquisition Corp. hereunder to the Sellers. The Company and the Stockholder Representative, on behalf of the Sellers, agree that neither Parent, Acquisition Corp., the Surviving Corporation nor any of their respective Affiliates shall be liable for any Losses to any Person, including any Seller, in connection with any inaccuracy, error, or omission in the Allocation Schedule, including any failure of the Company or the Stockholder Representative to correctly calculate the amounts owing to a Seller or to correctly distribute to any Seller the amounts of any payments made by (or on behalf of) Parent to or for the benefit of the Sellers.

 

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1.6    Mechanism of Payment of Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration; Delivery of Certificates.

(a)    At the Effective Time, or at such other time as specified below, Parent or Acquisition Corp. shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts identified by the Company to Parent in writing at least three (3) Business Days in advance of the Closing Date, each of the following:

(i)    to the respective parties owing thereto pursuant to the Payoff Letter, all Indebtedness to be satisfied pursuant to the Payoff Letter;

(ii)    to the respective parties owing thereto, all Estimated Transaction Expenses;

(iii)    to the Escrow Agent, the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Amount;

(iv)    to the Stockholder Representative, the Expense Reserve Account;

(v)    to the Paying Agent, for further distribution to each Stockholder holding shares of Preferred Stock (other than Dissenting Shares) that delivers to the Paying Agent, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing, a Letter of Transmittal and a certificate or certificates (each, a “Certificate”) representing (immediately prior to the Effective Time) the shares of Preferred Stock held by such Stockholder set forth in such Letter of Transmittal (or a lost stock certificate affidavit and indemnity agreement (as described in Section 1.6(d)), in respect of each such share of Preferred Stock, the Initial Per Share Merger Consideration payable with respect to such share of Preferred Stock in accordance with the Allocation Schedule;

(vi)    to the Paying Agent, for further distribution to each Stockholder holding shares of Common Stock (other than Dissenting Shares) that, in each case, delivers to the Paying Agent, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing, a Letter of Transmittal and a Certificate representing (immediately prior to the Effective Time) the shares of Common Stock held by such Stockholder set forth in such Letter of Transmittal (or a lost stock certificate affidavit and indemnity agreement (as described in Section 1.6(d)), in respect of each such share of Common Stock, the Initial Per Share Merger Consideration payable with respect to such share of Common Stock in accordance with the Allocation Schedule but subject to Section 1.12;

(vii)    to the Paying Agent, to be held in a segregated bank account for the benefit of the Stockholders that do not receive payment pursuant to Section 1.6(a)(v) or Section 1.6(a)(vi) and used solely and exclusively for purposes of distribution to the Stockholders as set forth in this Section 1.6(a), in respect of each share, the Initial Per Share Merger Consideration (as applicable) not paid pursuant to Section 1.6(a)(v) or Section 1.6(a)(vi) (the “Payment Fund”);

(viii)    to the Company, to be held for the benefit of the In-the-Money Optionholders and to be used solely and exclusively for purposes of distribution to such In-the-Money Optionholders (and applicable Tax withholding payments), the Option Payments; and

 

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(ix)    to the Company, to be held for the benefit of the Founder Proceeds Recipients and to be used solely and exclusively for purposes of distribution to such Founder Proceeds Recipients (and applicable Tax withholding payments), the Founder Proceeds Amount, pursuant to Section 1.12.

(b)    From and after the Effective Time, for a period of eighteen (18) following the Effective Time, upon a Stockholder’s delivery to the Paying Agent of a Letter of Transmittal and Certificate(s) representing (immediately prior to the Effective Time) the shares of Company Capital Stock held by such Stockholder set forth in such Letter of Transmittal, such Stockholder shall be entitled to receive from the Paying Agent, and the Paying Agent shall pay or cause to be paid to such Stockholder, within three (3) Business Days after such delivery and in exchange therefor, in respect of each such share, the Initial Per Share Merger Consideration (and any portion of the Additional Per Share Merger Consideration that has, as of such time, already been finally determined), in each case as applicable, attributable to such shares of Company Capital Stock, in cash by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the wire or other delivery instructions provided in writing by such Stockholder. No interest or dividends will be paid or accrued on the consideration payable upon the surrender or transfer of any Certificate. If the consideration provided for herein is to be delivered in the name of a person other than the person in whose name the Certificate was surrendered, it shall be a condition of such delivery that the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer accompanied by evidence that any applicable stock transfer Taxes have been paid or are not yet payable. Until surrendered in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.6(b), each Certificate (other than those representing Dissenting Shares or Company Capital Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.6(c)) shall represent, for all purposes after the Effective Time, only the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the amounts payable in respect thereof pursuant to Section 1.6(a) in respect of the Company Capital Stock formerly evidenced by such Certificate, without any interest or dividends thereon.

(c)    Any portion of the Payment Fund deposited with or otherwise made available to the Paying Agent pursuant to this Agreement that remains unclaimed by the former Stockholders eighteen (18) months after the Effective Time shall be returned to the Surviving Corporation, upon demand, and any such holder who has not exchanged its shares of Company Capital Stock for a portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration prior to that time shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation for, and the Surviving Corporation shall remain liable for, payment of the portion of Aggregate Merger Consideration payable in respect of such shares without any interest thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Parent nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable to a holder of Certificates or any other Person in respect of any cash delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. If any Certificates shall not have been properly surrendered or transferred prior to the date on which any consideration in respect thereof would otherwise escheat to or become the property of a Governmental Authority, any such shares, cash, dividends or distributions in respect of such Certificate shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interests of any Person previously entitled thereto.

 

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(d)    In the event any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of a lost stock certificate affidavit and indemnity agreement (in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent (prior to the Effective Time) or the Surviving Corporation (following the Effective Time)) of that fact by the Person (who shall be the record owner of such Certificate) claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Surviving Corporation and Parent will pay or cause to be paid to such Person, in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration attributable to such Certificate pursuant to this Agreement.

(e)    All amounts paid pursuant to this Section 1.6 shall be treated as adjustments to the Aggregate Merger Consideration for Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

(f)    Each of the Company, the Surviving Corporation and Parent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to any holder of Company Capital Stock or Stock Options or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as may be required to be deducted or withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any applicable provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law; provided that prior to deducting and withholding any such amounts, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or Parent, as applicable, shall provide Stockholder Representative with prior written notice of its intent to deduct and withhold within a reasonable period before the Closing Date, shall cooperate in good faith with Stockholder Representative to reduce (or eliminate) the deduction or withholding of such amounts, and shall remit any such deducted and withheld amounts to the appropriate Tax Authority. To the extent that amounts are so deducted or withheld and paid over to the appropriate Tax Authority by the Company, the Surviving Corporation and Parent, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid.

1.7    Stock Options.

(a)    Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take all necessary and appropriate actions to cause the Stock Options identified on Section 1.7(a) of the Disclosure Schedule to become fully vested and exercisable and therefore to constitute In-the-Money Options for purposes of this Agreement. As of the Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (i) each In-the-Money Option shall automatically be canceled and extinguished, no longer be outstanding and cease to represent the right to acquire shares of Common Stock, and in consideration therefor, the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash (collectively, the “Option Payments”), without interest, equal to the excess, if any, of (x) (A) the Initial Per Share Merger Consideration plus (B) the Additional Per Share Merger Consideration (if any) attributable thereto over (y) the exercise price of such Stock Option in respect of a share of Common Stock and (ii) each Stock Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that is not an In-the-Money Option (and, for avoidance of doubt, including each portion of an In-the-Money Option that is not vested or exercisable as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (but after giving effect to any vesting acceleration resulting from the Merger in accordance with its terms as in effect on the date of this Agreement or described in the first sentence of this Section 1.7(a))) shall automatically be canceled and extinguished, no longer be outstanding and cease to represent the right to acquire

 

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Common Stock, without any payment of any consideration therefor. The Company shall, prior to the Effective Time, take all actions as are reasonably necessary in order to effectuate the actions contemplated by this Section 1.7; provided that such actions shall expressly be conditioned upon the consummation of the Merger and shall be of no force or effect if this Agreement is terminated. The Option Payments attributable to the Initial Per Share Merger Consideration shall be paid through the Surviving Company’s payroll system on the first normal payroll date of the Surviving Company occurring at least five (5) Business Days following the Effective Time to each Person entitled to receive Option Payments, subject in each case to the withholding described in Section 1.7(b), and any additional portion of the Option Payments payable to the In-the-Money Optionholders shall be paid through the Surviving Company’s payroll system on the first normal payroll date of the Surviving Company occurring at least three (3) Business Days following receipt of such additional portion of the Option Payments to each Person entitled to receive Option Payments, subject in each case to the withholding described in Section 1.7(b). For avoidance of doubt (1) to the extent such additional portion of the Option Payments arises from the Expense Reserve Amount, the Stockholder Representative shall pay such additional portion to the Surviving Corporation for further distribution in accordance with this Section 1.7(a) and (2) to the extent such additional portion of the Option Payments arises under Section 1.11(d) and is payable from the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Fund, the Parties shall cause the Escrow Agent to pay such additional portion to the Surviving Corporation for further distribution in accordance with this Section 1.7(a).

(b)    The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable or deliverable to any In-the-Money Optionholder pursuant to Section 1.7(a) such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under any provision of federal, state, local or foreign Tax Law. If the Company so withholds such amounts, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the In-the-Money Optionholders in respect of which the Company made such deduction and withholding.

(c)    Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take all necessary and appropriate actions to cause the individuals identified on Section 1.7(c) of the Disclosure Schedule to execute a written consent with respect to the treatment of their Stock Options hereunder.

1.8    No Further Ownership Rights in the Company Capital Stock. The portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration paid in respect of the surrender for exchange of the Company Capital Stock in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to be full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such Company Capital Stock, and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the records of the Surviving Corporation of the Company Capital Stock which were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

1.9    Indebtedness; Company Transaction Expenses.

It is contemplated by the parties that, upon the Closing, the Indebtedness set forth on Section 1.9 of the Disclosure Schedule and Transaction Expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries will be fully repaid or paid (as applicable). No later than three (3) Business Days prior to the anticipated Closing Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall obtain and deliver

 

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to Parent a payoff letter in customary form and reasonably acceptable to Parent with respect to all Indebtedness set forth on Section 1.9 of the Disclosure Schedule (together with all instruments, documents and UCC financing statements relating thereto, the “Payoff Letter”) and final invoices for the Transaction Expenses, which Payoff Letter and invoices will set forth the amounts necessary (and applicable payment instructions) to fully discharge such liability and, in the case of the Payoff Letter, provide for the complete release of all Encumbrances and guarantees with respect to such Indebtedness. In connection with the Closing, Parent shall make (or cause to be made) (a) the payments referenced in such Payoff Letter on the Closing Date and (b) payment of the Transaction Expenses set forth on the invoices described above on the Closing Date in order to discharge the amounts payable thereunder.

1.10    Dissenting Shares.

(a)    Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Capital Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that are held by the holders of Company Capital Stock who have not voted in favor of the Merger, consented thereto in writing or otherwise contractually waived their rights to appraisal and who have demanded properly in writing appraisal for such shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL (collectively, the “Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into, or represent the right to receive, any portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Such holders of Company Capital Stock shall be entitled to receive payment of the appraised value of such shares of Company Capital Stock held by them in accordance with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL, except that all Dissenting Shares held by the holders of Company Capital Stock who shall have failed to perfect or who effectively shall have withdrawn or lost their rights to appraisal of such shares under Section 262 of the DGCL shall thereupon cease to be Dissenting Shares and be deemed to have been converted into, and to have become exchangeable for, as of the Effective Time, the right to receive any portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, without any interest thereon, upon delivery of a Letter of Transmittal and surrender, in the manner provided herein, of the Certificate or Certificates that formerly evidenced such shares or the execution and delivery of a lost stock certificate affidavit and indemnity agreement to the Company as set forth in Section 1.6(d).

(b)    The Company shall give Parent and the Stockholder Representative prompt written notice of any demands for appraisal received by the Company, withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments served pursuant to the DGCL and received by the Company. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisal or offer to settle or settle any such demands.

1.11    Closing Adjustment, etc.

(a)    Determination of Closing Adjustment. No later than three (3) Business Days prior to the anticipated Closing Date, the chief financial officer of the Company shall have delivered to Parent a certificate (the “Estimated Closing Statement”) setting forth (i) the Company’s good faith estimate of (A) the aggregate amount of Company Cash as of the Year-End Measurement Time (“Estimated Company Cash”), (B) the aggregate amount of Net Working Capital as of the Year-End Measurement Time (“Estimated Net Working Capital”),

 

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(C) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Year-End Measurement Time (to the extent not being paid by the Company or its Subsidiaries prior to Closing) (“Estimated Indebtedness”), and (D) the aggregate amount of unpaid Transaction Expenses as of the Measurement Time (to the extent not being paid by the Company or its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing) (“Estimated Transaction Expenses”) and (ii) the Allocation Schedule. The Estimated Closing Statement shall be based upon the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and shall be prepared in accordance with the definitions contained in this Agreement and GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the methodologies and principles used in the preparation of the Financial Statements and the accounting practices, principles, policies, judgments, and methodologies set forth on, and used in the calculation of, Schedules II and III hereto (all of which accounting practices, principles, policies, judgments, and methodologies shall be, unless otherwise specifically identified on such Schedules, consistent with GAAP, and, in the case of any conflict, unless otherwise specifically identified on such Schedules, GAAP shall control). Parent and its agents shall be provided with reasonable access, during regular business hours and upon reasonable prior notice, to the financial books and records on which the Estimated Closing Statement is based and to the employees and agents of the Company and its Affiliates who prepared the Estimated Closing Statement so as to enable it to verify the amounts set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement. The form and content of the Estimated Closing Statement shall be reasonably acceptable to Parent and, subject to Parent’s reasonable satisfaction, shall be conclusive for purposes of determining the consideration pursuant to Section 1.6.

(b)    Determination of Post-Closing Adjustment. No later than ninety (90) days following the Closing, Parent shall deliver to the Stockholder Representative a statement (the “Closing Statement”) setting forth the calculation of (i) the actual Company Cash as of the Year-End Measurement Time (“Actual Company Cash”), (ii) the actual Net Working Capital as of the Year-End Measurement Time (“Actual Net Working Capital”), (iii) the actual Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Year-End Measurement Time (to the extent not paid by the Company or its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing) (“Actual Indebtedness”), and (iv) the actual amount of unpaid Transaction Expenses as of the Measurement Time (to the extent not paid by the Company or its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing) (“Actual Transaction Expenses”), in each case, together with reasonably detailed supporting documentation. The Closing Statement shall be based upon the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and shall be prepared in accordance with the definitions contained in this Agreement and GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the methodologies and principles used in the preparation of the Estimated Closing Statement (including in accordance with the accounting practices, principles, policies, judgments and methodologies set forth on, and used in the calculation of, Schedules II and III hereto (all of which accounting practices, principles, policies, judgments, and methodologies shall be, unless otherwise specifically identified on such Schedules, consistent with GAAP, and, in the case of any conflict, unless otherwise specifically identified on such Schedules, GAAP shall control)).

(c)    Disputed Final Adjustment.

(i)    No later than forty-five (45) days following the delivery by Parent of the Closing Statement, the Stockholder Representative shall notify Parent in writing whether it accepts or disputes the accuracy of any calculation set forth in the Closing

 

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Statement. During such forty-five (45) day period, the Stockholder Representative and its agents shall be provided with reasonable access, during regular business hours and upon reasonable prior notice, to the financial books and records on which the Closing Statement is based and to the employees and agents of the Surviving Company and its Affiliates who prepared the Closing Statement. If the Stockholder Representative accepts the Closing Statement, or if the Stockholder Representative fails within such forty-five (45) day period to so notify Parent of any dispute with respect thereto, then the calculation of Actual Company Cash determined pursuant to Section 1.11(b) shall be the “Final Company Cash,” the calculation of Actual Net Working Capital determined pursuant to Section 1.11(b) shall be the “Final Net Working Capital,” the calculation of Actual Indebtedness determined pursuant to Section 1.11(b) shall be the “Final Indebtedness,” and the calculation of Actual Transaction Expenses determined pursuant to Section 1.11(b) shall be the “Final Transaction Expenses,” which, in each case, shall deemed final and conclusive and binding upon all parties in all respects.

(ii)    If the Stockholder Representative disputes the accuracy of any calculation set forth in the Closing Statement, the Stockholder Representative shall provide written notice (the “Dispute Notice”) to Parent no later than forty-five (45) days following the delivery by Parent to the Stockholder Representative of the Closing Statement, setting forth in reasonable detail those items set forth in the Closing Statement that the Stockholder Representative disputes. During the thirty (30) day period following delivery of a Dispute Notice, (A) any aspect of the Closing Statement that is not disputed in the Dispute Notice shall become final and binding and (B) Parent and the Stockholder Representative shall negotiate in good faith with a view to resolving their disagreements over the disputed items. During such thirty (30) day period or until the earlier final determination of Final Company Cash, Final Net Working Capital, Final Indebtedness, and Final Transaction Expenses in accordance with this Section 1.11(c)(ii), the Stockholder Representative and its agents shall be provided with reasonable access, during regular business hours and upon reasonable prior notice, to the financial books and records on which the Closing Statement is based and to the employees and agents of the Surviving Company and its Affiliates who prepared the Closing Statement so as to enable it to verify the amounts set forth in the Closing Statement. If Parent and the Stockholder Representative resolve their differences over such disputed items in accordance with the foregoing procedure, Final Company Cash, Final Net Working Capital, Final Indebtedness, and Final Transaction Expenses shall be the amounts agreed upon by them. If the Parent and the Stockholder Representative fail to resolve their differences over such disputed items within such thirty (30) day period, then each of Parent and the Stockholder Representative shall be entitled to request that Ernst and Young LLP (or another nationally recognized independent public accounting firm or valuation firm as shall be mutually agreed by the Parent and the Stockholder Representative) (the “Accounting Expert”), acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator, make a final and binding determination as to only the disputed items in accordance with this Agreement; provided that the Party submitting the disputed items to the Accounting Expert provides prior written notice of such submission to the nonsubmitting Party.

 

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(iii)    The Accounting Expert will, under the terms of its engagement, have no more than thirty (30) days from the date of referral and no more than ten (10) Business Days from the final submission of information by Parent and the Stockholder Representative with respect to the unresolved disputed items within which to render its written decision with respect to the disputed items (and only with respect to any unresolved disputed items set forth in the Dispute Notice). Parent and the Stockholder Representative shall deliver written submissions to the Accounting Expert, if at all, no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date of referral of the disputed matters to the Accounting Expert. The Accounting Expert, acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator, shall review such written submissions and base its determination solely on such written submissions, and not by independent review. In resolving any disputed item, the Accounting Expert shall resolve all disputed items in accordance with the defined terms and other provisions of this Agreement (including Schedules II and III hereto) and may not assign a value to any item greater than the maximum value for such item claimed by either Party or less than the minimum value for such item claimed by either Party. Absent manifest error, the decision of the Accounting Expert shall be final and binding upon the Parties and enforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction and the Accounting Expert’s final determination of Company Cash, Net Working Capital, Indebtedness, and Transaction Expenses, as applicable, shall be deemed the Final Company Cash, Final Net Working Capital, Final Indebtedness, and Final Transaction Expenses, respectively. The fees of the Accounting Expert will be shared by Parent, on the one hand, and the Stockholder Representative (on behalf of the Sellers), on the other hand, in the percentage that is inversely proportionate to the percentage of the aggregate amount of all items submitted to the Accounting Expert as disputed that are resolved in such Party’s favor. The Accounting Expert shall include such apportionment of its fees and expenses in its written report to Parent and the Stockholder Representative.

(d)    Payment following Calculation of the Final Adjustment Amount.

(i)    If the Final Adjustment Amount is positive and is equal to or greater than $250,000, the Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration shall be adjusted upwards in an amount equal to the Final Adjustment Amount and the Sellers shall be entitled to receive such Final Adjustment Amount in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares. In such event, (A) within five (5) Business Days of the final determination of the Final Adjustment Amount, Parent shall pay such Final Adjustment Amount to the Paying Agent, and the Paying Agent shall distribute to the applicable Sellers each such Seller’s respective portion of the Final Adjustment Amount in accordance with such Seller’s Pro Rata Share as set forth on the Allocation Schedule; and (B) the Stockholder Representative and Parent shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days of the final determination of the Final Adjustment Amount) deliver joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent to cause the Escrow Agent to deliver the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds to the Paying Agent, and the Paying Agent shall distribute to the applicable Sellers each such Seller’s respective portion of the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds in accordance with such Seller’s Pro Rata Share as set forth on the Allocation Schedule; provided that, with respect to any payment to a former holder of an In-the-Money Option, the Paying Agent shall deposit with the Surviving Corporation any portion of such amounts that are payable to such holder, and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation, through the Surviving Corporation’s payroll system, no later than the first regularly scheduled payroll date occurring not earlier than five (5) Business Days

 

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following such deposit, to distribute to each such holder such holder’s portion of such amount payable in accordance with such holder’s Pro Rata Share specified in the Allocation Schedule, and in such circumstances, the amount deposited with the Paying Agent shall be reduced accordingly.

(ii)    If the Final Adjustment Amount is negative (in which case the “Final Adjustment Amount” for purposes of this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be equal to the absolute value of such amount) and the absolute value thereof is equal to or greater than $250,000, the Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration shall be adjusted downwards in an amount equal to the Final Adjustment Amount, and Parent shall be entitled to receive such Final Adjustment Amount.

(A)    If such Final Adjustment Amount does not exceed the amount of available Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds, Parent and the Stockholder Representative shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days of the final determination of the Final Adjustment Amount) deliver a joint written instruction to the Escrow Agent to pay to Parent the Final Adjustment Amount by wire transfer from the funds available in the Escrow Account to one (1) or more accounts designated in writing by Parent to the Escrow Agent, and the remaining Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds shall be paid to the Paying Agent, and the Paying Agent shall promptly distribute to each Seller its respective portion of the remaining Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds in accordance with such Seller’s Pro Rata Share as set forth on the Allocation Schedule; provided, however, that with respect to any payment to a former holder of an In-the-Money Option, the Paying Agent shall deposit with the Surviving Corporation any portion of such amount payable to such holder, and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation, through the Surviving Corporation’s payroll system, no later than the first regularly scheduled payroll date occurring not earlier than five (5) Business Days following such deposit, to distribute to each such holder such holder’s portion of such amount payable in accordance with such holder’s Pro Rata Share specified in the Allocation Schedule, and in such circumstances, the amount deposited with the Paying Agent shall be reduced accordingly.

(B)    If such Final Adjustment Amount exceeds the amount of available Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds, Parent and the Stockholder Representative shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days of the final determination of the Final Adjustment Amount) deliver joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent to pay to Parent all of the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds by wire transfer from the funds available in the Escrow Account to one (1) or more accounts designated in writing by Parent to the Escrow Agent, and the Sellers, on a several and not a joint basis, shall promptly (but in any event within ten (10) Business Days of the final determination of the Final Adjustment Amount) pay to Parent the remaining amount of the Final Adjustment Amount that exceeds the amount of the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds.

 

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(iii)    If the Final Adjustment Amount is positive and is less than $250,000, or if the Final Adjustment Amount is negative and the absolute value of the Final Adjustment Amount is less than $250,000, then (A) the Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration shall not be adjusted and no portion of the Final Adjustment Amount shall be payable to any Party; and (B) the Stockholder Representative and Parent shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days of the final determination of the Final Adjustment Amount) deliver joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent to cause the Escrow Agent to deliver the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds to the Paying Agent, and the Paying Agent shall distribute to the applicable Sellers each such Seller’s respective portion of the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds in accordance with such Seller’s Pro Rata Share as set forth on the Allocation Schedule; provided that, with respect to any payment to a former holder of an In-the-Money Option, the Paying Agent shall deposit with the Surviving Corporation any portion of such amounts that are payable to such holder, and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation, through the Surviving Corporation’s payroll system, no later than the first regularly scheduled payroll date occurring not earlier than five (5) Business Days following such deposit, to distribute to each such holder such holder’s portion of such amount payable in accordance with such holder’s Pro Rata Share specified in the Allocation Schedule, and in such circumstances, the amount deposited with the Paying Agent shall be reduced accordingly.

1.12    Founder Proceeds Payments. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each of the undersigned Founder Stockholders hereby agrees and directs that such portion of the Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration otherwise payable to such Founder Stockholder at the Closing pursuant to Section 1.6(a) as is set forth on Section 1.12 of the Disclosure Schedule, which schedule shall set forth the specific amount to be deducted with respect to each Founder Stockholder (such amount, which shall include the amount of the Company’s share of employment tax withholding due in respect of the payments described below, in aggregate, the “Founder Proceeds Amount”) shall, in lieu of being paid to such Founder Stockholder, instead be paid to the Company in accordance with Section 1.6(a)(ix) for further distribution to such Persons, in such respective amounts, and subject to such conditions, in each case, as is set forth on Section 1.12 of the Disclosure Schedule (such Persons, the “Founder Proceeds Recipients”). The Founder Proceeds Amount payable to the Founder Proceeds Recipients shall be paid through the Surviving Company’s payroll system on the first regularly scheduled payroll date occurring not earlier than five (5) Business Days following the Effective Time, subject in each case to deduction or withholding with respect to the making of such payment under any Tax Law. For avoidance of doubt, (A) such distribution of the Founder Proceeds Amount to the Founder Proceeds Recipients shall not reduce or affect in any way the Pro Rata Share of any of the Founder Stockholders (or any other Seller) or Founder Proceeds Recipients, nor shall it increase, decrease, or affect in any way the calculations of the Aggregate Merger Consideration, the Aggregate Common Stock Merger Consideration, or the Aggregate Preferred Stock Merger Consideration (other than by decreasing the actual amounts payable to the Founding Stockholders pursuant to Section 1.6(a)(vi)); (B) no Founder Proceeds Recipient shall be deemed to be a “Seller” for purposes of this Agreement unless such Founder Proceeds Recipient is otherwise a “Seller” in connection with such Founder Proceeds Recipient’s status as a Stockholder or a holder of In-the-Money Stock Options; and (C) the Founder Proceeds Amount shall be excluded in its entirety from the definitions of Indebtedness, Net Working Capital and

 

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Transaction Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no payment of any Founder Proceeds Amount shall be made to the extent any such payment would constitute an “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code. The Company, the Founder Stockholders, and the Stockholder Representative, on behalf of the Sellers, agree that neither Parent, Acquisition Corp., the Surviving Corporation, nor any of their respective Affiliates shall be liable for any Losses to any Person, including any Founder Proceeds Recipient, arising out of a claim asserted by any Founder Proceeds Recipient, any Seller, or any third party, in each case, in connection with the payment of the Founder Proceeds Amount, including any failure of the Company or any Founder Stockholder to correctly calculate or allocate payment of the Founder Proceeds Amount and any Taxes arising out of the payment of the Founder Proceeds Amount to the Founder Proceeds Recipients as directed hereby.

1.13    Transfer Taxes. All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, recording, registration and other similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the purchase of Company Capital Stock) shall be paid by the Parent.

1.14    Paying Agent. At the Closing, Parent shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to permit the Paying Agent to make the payments to Stockholders required pursuant to Section 1.6(a)(v) and/or Section 1.6(a)(vi). Parent shall be responsible for paying all fees and expenses of retaining the Paying Agent; provided that the Sellers shall be responsible for the additional annual fee charged by the Payment (not to exceed $2,000), which amount shall be a Transaction Expense.

1.15    Escrow Agent. At the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit a portion of the Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration equal to the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Amount, for the purposes of securing payment of any Final Adjustment Amount pursuant to Section 1.11(d), into an escrow account to be established and maintained by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of a customary escrow agreement reasonably acceptable to each of Parent and the Stockholder Representative to be entered into immediately prior to the Effective Time by and among Parent, the Stockholder Representative and the Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Agreement”). Parent shall be responsible for paying all fees and expenses of retaining the Escrow Agent.

ARTICLE 2

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

The Company represents and warrants to Parent and Acquisition Corp. that the statements contained in this Article 2 are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and will be true and correct as of the Closing Date, except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date other than the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date, which representations and warranties are true and correct as of such other date.

 

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2.1    Organization; Power.

(a)    The Company is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The Company is duly authorized to conduct business and is in good standing (or its equivalent) under the Laws of each jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or conduct of business as now conducted requires it to qualify, except where the lack of such qualification would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has all necessary organizational power, authority and legal capacity to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties and assets owned, leased and used by it. The Company has the requisite power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

(b)    Each Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or other business association duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as applicable. Each such Subsidiary is duly authorized to conduct business and is in good standing (or its equivalent) under the Laws of each jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or conduct of business as now conducted requires it to qualify, except where the lack of such qualification would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each such Subsidiary has all necessary organizational power, authority and legal capacity to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties and assets owned, leased and used by it. Each such Subsidiary has the requisite power, authority and legal capacity to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

(c)    True, correct and complete copies of (i) the Company Charter, (ii) the bylaws of the Company and all other organizational documents of the Company, (iii) the Stockholders Agreements, and (iv) the organizational documents of each Subsidiary of the Company have been Made Available to Parent, and all such documents are in full force and effect as of the date hereof, no amendments are pending thereto, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in default of any provision of any such documents.

2.2    Authorization; Binding Effect. The Company’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation by the Company of the Merger and of the other the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by the Company, and no other corporate or other governance proceedings on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary (and no other action on the part of the Stockholders or holders of other equity interests of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries, other than the Written Consent) is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery, and performance in accordance with their respective terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Stockholder Representative, Acquisition Corp. and the Parent, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company which is enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party, when executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms thereof (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by all other parties thereto), shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, in each

 

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case except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and applicable equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

2.3    No Conflicts. Except as set forth in Section 2.3 of the Disclosure Schedule and subject to (a) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (b) execution and delivery of the Written Consent, and (c) compliance with the pre-merger notification requirements under the HSR Act, the execution and the delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party and the performance by the Company and its Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will not: (i) conflict with, violate, result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or be prohibited by the Company Charter, bylaws of the Company, or governing or organizational documents of any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) conflict with, violate, result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or be prohibited by any Law applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) conflict with, violate, result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, be prohibited by, create material obligations under or result in a default under any Material Contract to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which the Company’s assets are subject or (iv) result in the creation of any Encumbrance (other than Encumbrances created by or on behalf of the Parent) upon the shares of Company Capital Stock or any assets of the Company.

2.4    Company Approvals and Filings. Except as set forth in Section 2.4 of the Disclosure Schedule, no consent, approval or action of, filing with or notice to any Governmental Authority or any other Person on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except (a) for compliance with the pre-merger notification requirements under the HSR Act, or (b) as may be necessary as a result of the identity or the legal or regulatory status of Parent or its Affiliates.

2.5    Capitalization; Subsidiaries.

(a)    Section 2.5(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete list of the authorized, issued and outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock and the name and number of shares of Company Capital Stock held of record by each Stockholder, together with the holders of Stock Options (including the vesting schedule, per share exercise price thereof and number of shares of Common Stock subject thereto), in each case as of the date hereof. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with any preemptive or similar rights, and are owned of record by the Stockholders, and all shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock or Stock Options prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly authorized, shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and shall have been issued in compliance with any preemptive or similar rights. Except for this Agreement and as may be set forth on Section 2.5(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (pre-emptive or otherwise), contracts, pledges, calls, puts, rights to subscribe, conversion rights or other contracts, agreements or commitments to which the Company is a party or which are binding upon the

 

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Company providing for the issuance, disposition or acquisition of any of its equity or any rights or interests convertible, exchangeable or exercisable therefor or giving any Person the right to receive any economic benefit or right similar to or derived from the economic benefits or rights accruing to holders of Company Capital Stock, or convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing. The Company has complied with all applicable Laws in connection with the issuance of its securities. Except as set forth on Section 2.5(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding or authorized equity appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to the Company. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that have the right to vote, or that are convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote, on any matters on which Company Stockholders may vote.

(b)    Section 2.5(b) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete list of the Company’s Subsidiaries. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company’s Subsidiaries have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the Company holds, directly or indirectly, the record and beneficial title in all of the shares of capital stock or other equity securities of each of its Subsidiaries, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances of the type described in clauses (a), (b), or (g) of the definition thereof. Except as set forth on Section 2.5(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no other issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or equity interests of any Subsidiary of the Company, or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or equity interests, outstanding, and there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (pre-emptive or otherwise), contracts, pledges, calls, puts, rights to subscribe, conversion rights or other contracts, agreements or commitments to which such Subsidiary is a party or which are binding upon such Subsidiary providing for the issuance, disposition or acquisition of any of its equity or any rights or interests convertible, exchangeable or exercisable therefor or giving any Person the right to receive any economic benefit or right similar to or derived from the economic benefits or rights accruing to holders of capital stock of such Subsidiary, or convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing. Except as set forth on Section 2.5(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, partnership interest, joint venture interest or other capital or equity interest in any other Person, and there are no obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any investment in (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) any Person or provide any guarantee with respect to the obligations of any Person other than any of the Company’s Subsidiaries that are wholly-owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(c)    Except pursuant to the Company Charter and the Stockholders Agreements, there are no stockholder agreements, voting trusts, proxies or any other agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any obligation or requirement to make any investment (in the form of a loan or capital contribution) in any Person (other than the Company or its Subsidiaries). There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that have the right to vote, or that are convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote, on any matters on which Stockholders may vote.

 

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(d)    The treatment upon the effectiveness of the Merger of the Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, and the Stock Options as set forth in this Agreement is in accordance with the Company Charter, the Company’s by-laws, and all other organizational documents of the Company, the applicable Company Incentive Plans and each applicable award agreement thereunder, the Stockholders Agreements, and the DGCL and any other applicable Law, as applicable. The consideration payable to the Sellers pursuant to the Merger Agreement (including as allocated pursuant to the Allocation Schedule) is allocated among the holders of the capital stock of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Company Charter. None of Parent, the Surviving Corporation, or any other Person shall have any obligation in respect of the Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, or the Stock Options following payments of the amounts provided for in Section 1.6 (subject to the adjustments provided for in Section 1.11) or the allocation thereof pursuant to the Allocation Schedule. At the Closing, the Allocation Schedule shall be complete and correct in all respects.

(e)    Except for the payments and distributions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement contemplated hereby and any payments made with respect to Dissenting Shares, none of the Sellers, nor any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ current or former officers, directors, employees or independent contractors has any right to receive any payment or distribution from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Company Capital Stock or other equity interests held thereby as a result of the consummation of the Merger. Following the Closing, no holder of any Stock Option shall have any right thereunder to acquire any capital stock of the Company or any of its Affiliates (including the Surviving Corporation), or of Parent or any of its Affiliates (including Acquisition Corp.).

2.6    Title to Assets. Except for inventory sold or disposed of in the Ordinary Course, the Company has good and valid title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of the tangible assets used in the conduct of the Business as presently conducted, in each case, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Permitted Encumbrances. The buildings, machinery, equipment and other tangible assets that the Company owns or leases are in good operating condition and repair (subject to normal wear and tear), have been maintained in the Ordinary Course and are not obsolete, dangerous or in need of renewal or replacement, except for renewal or replacement in the Ordinary Course. The assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries are sufficient in the aggregate to conduct the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course, taken as a whole, following the Closing in all material respects as it is being conducted on the date hereof.

2.7    Real Property.

(a)    The Company does not own any real property.

(b)    Section 2.7(b) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the address of (i) each material real property leased to or from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) each parcel of real property with respect to which the Company is a lessee, sublessee, licensee or other occupant or user (the “Leased Real Property”), and a true, correct and complete list of all leases, subleases or other occupancy agreement (including any amendments and renewal letters) relating to the Leased Real Property, together with all amendments and modifications thereto (collectively, the “Leases”). With respect to each Lease and the Leased Real Property, as applicable:

(i)    the Company has good, valid and subsisting leasehold interests in the leasehold estate under the Leases free and clear of any right of use, occupancy or any other Encumbrance other than Permitted Encumbrances;

 

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(ii)    the Company has Made Available a true and complete copy of each such Lease to the Parent;

(iii)    such Lease is the valid and binding obligation of the Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, of each other Person that is a party thereto enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms in each case except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and applicable equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); and

(iv)    neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party to such Lease is in material breach or default under such Lease, and no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute a material default.

2.8    Financial Statements and Related Matters.

(a)    Section 2.8(a) of the Disclosure Schedule attaches copies of the following financial statements (collectively, the “Financial Statements”): (i) audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the Company and its Subsidiaries for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016, March 31, 2017, and March 31, 2018, and (ii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for each of the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018 (the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018, being the “Most Recent Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements have been prepared from the respective books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries, are correct and complete in all material respects, and except as set forth on Section 2.8(a) of the Disclosure Schedule with respect to the Most Recent Financial Statements, have been prepared using GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and present fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such dates and the results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such periods, subject to the absence of footnote disclosures, none of which, if presented, except as set forth on Section 2.8(a) of the Disclosure Schedule with respect to the Most Recent Financial Statements, would materially differ from those presented in the Audited Financial Statements and normal and recurring year-end adjustments which are not material individually or in the aggregate.

(b)    The Company has devised and maintained systems of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with the appropriate officer’s general or specific authorization, (i) transactions are

 

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recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain proper accountability for items, (iii) access to the property and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries is permitted in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) recorded accountability for items is compared with actual levels at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Since March 31, 2015, no director, manager, or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, auditor or accountant thereof, has received or otherwise had or obtained knowledge of (A) any “material weakness” or “significant deficiency” regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, or methods of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective internal controls over financial reporting or (B) any fraud that involves any director, manager, or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(c)    The Company does not have any Indebtedness except as described in Section 2.8(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, and as of the Closing after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company will not have any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness that has been incurred at the direction and authorization of the Parent or its Affiliates.

(d)    To the Company’s Knowledge, the Company has no material Liability which is required under GAAP to be set forth on the face of the balance sheet included in the Most Recent Financial Statements or the notes thereto and is not so set forth, except for (i) Liabilities which have arisen after the date of the Most Recent Financial Statements in the Ordinary Course, including obligations arising under Material Contracts identified in Section 2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule or under Contracts and commitments entered into in the Ordinary Course which are not required to be disclosed in Section 2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule pursuant to Section 2.13 (but not Liabilities for any breach of any such Contract occurring on or prior to the Closing Date); (ii) Liabilities that are reflected or reserved for in the calculation of Indebtedness or Transaction Expenses; or (ii) that are otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule hereto.

2.9    Subsequent Events. Except as listed on Section 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, since date of the Most Recent Financial Statements, the Company has been operated the Business in the Ordinary Course and there has not been any change in the Business or financial condition of the Company that has or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as listed on Section 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the Most Recent Financial Statements, the Company has not taken any action that would be restricted after the date hereof pursuant to Section 4.3.

2.10    Legal Compliance. Except as set forth on Section 2.10 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has been since March 31, 2015, and is currently in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and Orders of Governmental Authorities that relate to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including escheat and unclaimed property Laws. The Company holds all material licenses, franchises, permits, operating authorities, state operating licenses or registrations and other interstate, intrastate, national or international regulatory licenses and other authorizations issued by any Governmental Authority that are necessary under applicable Law for the lawful conduct of the Business as currently conducted (collectively, the

 

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Material Permits”). The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all such Material Permits, and the Business is not being conducted in violation of any Material Permit. All such Material Permits are in full force and effect, and no event has occurred that would reasonably be expected to result in the revocation, cancellation, non-renewal or adverse modification of any such Material Permit, nor has the Company or any if its Subsidiaries received any written notice thereof. None of the Material Permits will lapse, terminate or expire as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby. Since March 31, 2015, no written notice or Action has been received by, or filed or commenced against, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries alleging a violation of or liability or potential responsibility under any Law, Order or Material Permit that has not heretofore been duly cured and for which there is no remaining liability.

2.11    Tax Matters.

(a)    All income Tax Returns and all other material Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect each Target Company has been duly and timely filed (taking into account all applicable extensions), and all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects. Each Target Company has paid all Taxes due (whether or not shown to be due on such Tax Returns).

(b)    Except as set forth on Section 2.11(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) no Tax Authority is in the process of examining or auditing any Target Company nor to the Company’s Knowledge is any audit or examination contemplated by any such Tax Authority, (ii) there are no disputes or written claims asserted for Taxes with respect to any Target Company, (iii) no Target Company has given any currently effective waivers extending the statutory period of limitation applicable to any Tax or entered into a binding written agreement for the extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment, collection or deficiency, (iv) there exists no written notice of any deficiency or claim for additional Tax in respect of any Target Company, (v) no power of attorney has been granted by or with respect to any Target Company with regard to any matters relating to Taxes, (vi) no Target Company has entered into any “closing agreements” within the meaning of Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), and (vii) no Target Company has been issued any private letter rulings, technical advice memoranda or similar agreements or rulings with any Tax Authority.

(c)    All amounts required to be withheld for Taxes from amounts payable by each Target Company to employees, independent contractors, service providers, Stockholders, creditors, or other third parties have been duly withheld, collected and paid, when due, to the appropriate Tax Authority. Each Target Company has collected all sales, use and value added Taxes required to be collected by it, and has timely remitted all such Taxes to the appropriate Tax Authorities.

(d)    The Company has not been a party to any joint venture, partnership or other arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

 

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(e)    No Target Company (i) is a party to, is subject to, bound by or has any obligation under any Tax Sharing Agreement, (ii) is required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any change in accounting method, closing agreement, intercompany transaction, prepaid amount, excess loss account, installment sale or election under Section 108(i) of the Code, in each case, made, entered, received or elected prior to the Closing, (iii) is or has been a party to, or participated in any way in any “reportable transaction,” as defined in Sections 6011, 6662A, and 6707A of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4 (as in effect at the relevant time) or any comparable laws of jurisdictions other than the United States, (iv) (A) has ever been a member of an affiliated, combined, consolidated or unitary group for purposes of filing any Tax Return, other than for purposes of filing affiliated, combined, consolidated or unitary Tax Returns of a group of which the Company was the common parent, nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries been included in any similar arrangement for group Tax relief under any applicable Law, such as a loss sharing regime, or (B) has any liability arising from the application of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or under any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law), as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise, (v) has distributed the stock of another Person, or has had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code, or (vi) has a permanent establishment in any country (excluding the country under the laws of which it is organized) other than the United States of America.

(f)    Section 2.11(f) of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth the respective entity classifications of each Target Company for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

(g)    The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has in its possession official foreign government receipts or other evidence of payment for any Taxes paid by it to any foreign Tax Authorities in connection with the use or potential future use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a foreign Tax credit.

(h)    All related party transactions involving any Target Company or any of its Subsidiaries are at arm’s length in compliance with Section 482 of the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and any similar provision of state, local and non-U.S. law.

(i)    The Company is not now, nor has the Company ever been, a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.

(j)    The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not have any adverse effect on the continued validity and effectiveness of any Tax exemption, Tax holiday, or other Tax reduction agreement or order to which any Company or any Subsidiary thereof is a party to or subject.

2.12    Intellectual Property.

(a)    Section 2.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete schedule of (i) each item of (A) registered or applied-for Intellectual Property included in the Owned Intellectual Property, (B) other Owned Intellectual Property that is material to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including any material proprietary Software, and (C) Licensed Intellectual Property that is material to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries

 

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(collectively, the “Material Company Intellectual Property”); provided, however, that the confidential and proprietary trade secrets, product specifications and formulations owned or utilized by the Company or its Subsidiaries are not required to be specifically disclosed in Section 2.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule; and (ii) all Contracts under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has (A) received a license or sublicense with respect to any of the Licensed Intellectual Property pursuant to which it is obligated to pay a royalty, license fee or similar payment in an amount in excess of $150,000 per annum (other than non-exclusive and non-customized end-user licenses for commercially available prepackaged computer Software generally available to the public), or has otherwise been granted any material license or other rights to use Intellectual Property, (B) is restricted in its right to use or register any material Intellectual Property, or (C) permits or agrees to permit any other Person to use, obtain, enforce, or register any material Intellectual Property, including any license agreements, coexistence agreements, and covenants not to sue or assert Intellectual Property (the “Intellectual Property Licenses”).

(b)    The Company owns all right, title, and interest in and to, or has a valid and enforceable license to use, all Intellectual Property used or held for use in, or necessary to conduct, the Business as currently conducted and as currently contemplated to be conducted, free and clear of any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances). The Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive beneficial owner of the Owned Intellectual Property and, with respect to the Intellectual Property items set forth in Section 2.12(a)(i)(A) of the Disclosure Schedule, the record owner, and the Owned Intellectual Property is subsisting, valid and enforceable and is not subject to any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances). There are no Orders to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject with respect to any material Intellectual Property.

(c)    With respect to each Intellectual Property License:

(i)    the Company has Made Available to the Parent a true, correct and complete copy of each such Intellectual Property License;

(ii)    such Intellectual Property License is the valid and binding obligation of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary, enforceable in accordance with its terms subject to bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership and other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and applicable equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); and

(iii)    neither the Company or its applicable Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other party to such Intellectual Property License is in material breach of or default under such Intellectual Property License.

(d)    (i) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor the conduct of the Business (including the products and services of the Company and its Subsidiaries), has interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated, or otherwise come into conflict with any other Person’s Intellectual Property rights, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice alleging any such interference, infringement, misappropriation, or violation (including any claim that the Company must license or refrain from using any other

 

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Person’s Intellectual Property rights), (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, no other Person is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any of the Material Company Intellectual Property, and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has sent any written notice to any Person alleging any such interference, infringement, misappropriation, or violation. There are no pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened claims in writing against the Company or its employees or independent contractors alleging that the Material Company Intellectual Property infringes on or conflicts with the rights of any other Person, and there have been no Actions (including any interference, opposition, reissue, re-examination, inter partes review, or post grant review) asserted or threatened in writing challenging the scope, validity, ownership or enforceability of any applications or registrations included in the Owned Intellectual Property (other than rejections, objections or other similar challenges in any office actions made in the ordinary course of prosecution before a Governmental Authority).

(e)    Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries takes reasonable measures in accordance with normal industry practice to protect the confidentiality of material trade secrets, including requiring all Persons having access thereto to execute written non-disclosure agreements. To the Knowledge of the Company, there has not been any disclosure of or access to any material trade secret of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person in a manner that has resulted or is likely to result in the loss of trade secret or other rights in and to such information.

(f)    Each current and former Employee, officer, contractor and consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has delivered, developed, contributed to, modified, or improved any Owned Intellectual Property that is material to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has executed a proprietary information and inventions agreement substantially in the form or forms which have been Made Available to Parent prior to the date hereof, or have otherwise executed agreements assigning to the Company (or have assigned to the Company by operation of law) all of such Person’s rights in such development, contribution, modification, or improvement. To the Company’s Knowledge, no such Person is in violation of any term of any such agreement.

(g)    No current or former Affiliate (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries), partner, director, stockholder, officer, or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will, after the Effective Time, own, license, or retain any proprietary rights in any of the Material Company Intellectual Property.

(h)    The Company and its Subsidiaries own or have the right to access and use all information technology systems currently used in the Business. Since March 31, 2015, (i) there have been no material security breaches in the information technology systems of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, the information technology systems of third Persons to the extent used by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) there have been no disruptions in any information technology systems that materially adversely affected the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ businesses or operations. The Company and its Subsidiaries have evaluated their disaster recovery and backup needs and have implemented written plans and systems that reasonably address their assessment of risk in accordance with normal industry practice.

 

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(i)    Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has at all times complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws, as well as its own rules, policies, and procedures, relating to privacy, data protection, and the collection, retention, protection, and use of personal information collected, used, or held for use by the Company and its Subsidiaries. No claims have been asserted or threatened in writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries alleging a violation of any Person’s privacy or personal information or data rights. The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not breach or otherwise cause any violation of any Law or rule, policy, or procedure related to privacy, data protection, or the collection, retention, protection, and use of personal information collected, used, or held for use by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries takes reasonable measures in accordance with normal industry practice to ensure that such information is protected against unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure, or other misuse, including through administrative, technical, and physical safeguards.

(j)    With respect to Software included in the Owned Intellectual Property, (i) the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is in possession of a complete copy of the source code to any such Software; (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not delivered, licensed, or made available, and have no duty or obligation (whether present, contingent, or otherwise) to deliver, license, or make available, the source code for any such Software to any escrow agent or other Person who is not, as of the date of this Agreement, an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not experienced any material defects, malfunctions, vulnerabilities, exploits, or nonconformities in such Software that have materially disrupted, or would be reasonably likely to materially disrupt, its commercial availability or the Company’s revenue stream, other than defects which have been fully corrected; and (iv) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incorporated into such Software any, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no such Software contains, any device or feature designed to disrupt, disable, or otherwise impair the functioning of any Software or any “back door,” “time bomb,” “Trojan horse,” “worm,” “drop dead device,” or other code or routines that permit unauthorized access or the unauthorized disablement or erasure of such Software or information or data (or all parts thereof) or other Software of users. All Software included in the Owned Intellectual Property that is distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to third parties performs substantially in accordance with the applicable specifications, warranties, and advertisements for such Software, and the user documentation associated with any such Software contains no material errors, other than of a typographical nature.

(k)    The Company has not used Open Source Software in any manner that, with respect to any Software included in the Owned Intellectual Property, does or is reasonably expected to: (i) require its disclosure or distribution in source code form; (ii) require the licensing thereof for the purpose of making derivative works; (iii) impose any restriction on the consideration to be charged for the distribution thereof; or (iv) create, or purport to create, obligations for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to Owned Intellectual Property or grant, or purport to grant, to any third party, any rights or immunities under Owned Intellectual Property. With respect to any Open Source Software that is or has been used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company and its Subsidiaries have been and are in material compliance with all applicable licenses with respect thereto.

 

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2.13    Contracts. Section 2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of each of the following Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which its assets are bound (such Contracts that are required to be listed in Section 2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule are herein referred to as the “Material Contracts”):

(a)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) (other than purchase and sale orders entered into in the Ordinary Course) for the distribution or sale of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ products or services or for the performance of services by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person whose purchases constitute five percent (5%) or more of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ sales for the twelve month period ending March 31, 2018;

(b)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) establishing or governing a partnership or joint venture or relating to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ investment in any distributorship or franchise;

(c)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has created, incurred, assumed, or guaranteed any Indebtedness for borrowed money (excluding advances, deposits, trade payables in the Ordinary Course) or any capitalized lease obligation, or under which there is imposed an Encumbrance on any of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ assets, tangible or intangible;

(d)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) imposing any restriction on the right or ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business, manufacture or distribute any services, products or other materials, compete with any other Person or solicit any customer, employee or other service provider;

(e)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) with any of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Affiliates, officer or director or any family member of an Affiliate, officer or director;

(f)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) relating to the disposition or acquisition of the assets of, or any equity interest in, any business enterprise or property which relates to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any merger or business combination with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, entered into since March 31, 2015, other than the purchase and sale of inventory in the Ordinary Course or where there is no continuing material Liability or obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(g)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) for the employment of any officer, individual employee or other Person on a full-time, part-time, consulting or other basis that provides for annual compensation in excess of $150,000 or providing any termination benefits or payments in excess of $50,000;

(h)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) governing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the grant of any Encumbrance on any material property or material asset of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

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(i)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) restricting the transfer of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase shares of its Capital Stock, or relating to the voting of Capital Stock or the election of directors of any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(j)    any Intellectual Property License;

(k)    any CBA;

(l)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) with a Governmental Authority;

(m)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) for the purchase of supplies or other personal property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or for the payment of services provided by vendors or suppliers to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has involved or is reasonably expected to involve payment in excess of $250,000 (other than purchase and sale orders entered into in the Ordinary Course);

(n)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) for the settlement of any litigation;

(o)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) relating to the marketing, sale, advertising or promotion of the Company’s services which have involved or are reasonably expected to involve consideration in excess of $250,000;

(p)    any powers of attorney granted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are currently effective and outstanding;

(q)    any Contract (or group of related Contracts) that requires the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to use any supplier or third party for all or substantially all of its requirements or needs or requires such entity to provide a third party “most favored nation” or similar protective pricing terms; and

(r)    any commitment to do any of the foregoing described in clauses (a) through (p).

The Company has Made Available to the Parent a correct and complete copy of each written Material Contract, including any and all amendments thereto, and a written summary setting forth the material terms of each oral Material Contract. All Material Contracts are valid, binding, enforceable against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, each other party thereto, and are in full force and effect, in each case except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and applicable equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is not, and to the Company’s Knowledge no other party to a Material Contract is, in breach of or in default under the terms of any Material Contract, and there has not occurred any event that, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute a breach or default in any material respect thereunder attributable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other party thereto, the effect of which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in material Liability to the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice that any party to any Material Contract intends to cancel or terminate such Material Contract.

 

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2.14    Insurance. Section 2.14 of the Disclosure Schedule is a true, correct and complete list of policies of insurance which are maintained by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and true, correct and complete copies of such policies of insurance have been Made Available to Parent. Each policy set forth in Section 2.14 of the Disclosure Schedule is valid and binding and in full force and effect and, to the Company’s Knowledge, the Company has not received any written notice of cancellation or termination in respect of any such policy or is in default thereunder in any material respect. All known claims, if any, made against the Company or any Subsidiary that are covered by insurance have been disclosed to and accepted by the appropriate insurance companies, are being defended by such appropriate insurance companies, and are described in Section 2.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, and no claims have been denied coverage during the last five (5) years. All premiums due and payable under all such policies have been paid, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are otherwise in compliance with the terms of such policies in all material respects. To the Company’s Knowledge, there is no threatened termination of, or material premium increase with respect to, any of such policies. None of the insurance coverage limits under any such insurance policy have been exhausted. The Company has no self-insurance or co-insurance programs.

2.15    Litigation. Except as set forth on Section 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no material Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by or before any Governmental Authority. Except as set forth on Section 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is fully insured with respect to each of the litigation matters set forth on the attached Disclosure Schedule. The Company is not subject to any Order. Except as set forth in Section 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, since March 31, 2015, there has been no resolution or settlement of any Action against the Company involving a payment by the Company in excess of $150,000.

2.16    Books and Records. The stockholder ledger of the Company fairly and accurately reflects the record ownership of all the outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock. The other books and records of the Company, including financial records, minute books and books of account, are complete and accurate in all material respects and have been maintained in accordance with GAAP. True, correct, and complete copies of the stock ledgers and minute books of the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company have been Made Available to Parent, and all material proceedings of the boards of directors or managers and equityholders of the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company occurring since the incorporation or formation of the Company and such Subsidiary are accurately reflected in the minutes and records contained in such minute books.

2.17    Employment Matters.

(a)    Section 2.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a true, complete and accurate list of the following for each employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries: name, job title, date of hire, current annual salary or hourly rate of pay, bonus compensation paid in the last twelve (12) months, and active/inactive status.

 

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(b)    Except as set out in Section 2.17(b) of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, works council agreement or any other similar labor agreement or arrangement with any labor union, labor organization or works council (each, a “CBA”), and no employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is represented by any labor union, works council or labor organization with respect to his employment with the Company or its Subsidiary, as applicable; (ii) no labor organization or group of employees has filed any representation petition or, to the Company’s Knowledge, made any demand to the Company for recognition, and there are no representation or certification proceedings pending or threatened to be brought or filed with the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority; (iii) to the Company’s Knowledge, there have been no labor union organizing activities with respect to any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (iv) there is no, and since March 31, 2015, there has not been, any strike, work stoppage, work slowdown, lockout or other material collective labor grievance, claim of unfair labor practices involving any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, is any such action threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(c)    None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received notice of (i) the intent of any Governmental Authority responsible for the enforcement of labor, employment, wages and hours of work, child labor, immigration, or occupational safety and health laws to conduct an investigation with respect to or relating to them or notice that such investigation is in progress, or (ii) any charge, claim, complaint, lawsuit, arbitration or other proceeding pending or threatened in any forum by or on behalf of any present or former employee of such entities, any applicant for employment or classes of the foregoing alleging breach of any express or implied contract of employment, any applicable Law governing employment or the termination thereof or other discriminatory, wrongful or tortious conduct in connection with the employment relationship.

(d)    Except as set out in Section 2.17(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company and its Subsidiaries are each in compliance in all material respects with all requirements of applicable Laws governing labor and employment practices, including all Laws relating to the terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours, worker classification (both with respect to exempt vs. non-exempt status and employee vs. worker (if applicable) vs. independent contractor status), immigration, occupational safety and health, labor relations and plant closures and layoffs.

(e)    Section 2.17(e) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, complete and accurate list of the compensation paid to the officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018.

(f)    Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is delinquent in payments to any of its respective employees or former employees for any services or amounts required to be reimbursed or otherwise paid.

(g)    The Company and its Subsidiaries are not and have not been: (i) a “contractor” or “subcontractor” (as defined by Executive Order 11246), (ii) required to comply with Executive Order 11246 or any other applicable Law requiring affirmative action or other employment related actions for government contractors or subcontractors, or (iii) otherwise required to maintain an affirmative action plan.

 

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(h)    No employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in any respect in violation of any material term of any employment agreement, nondisclosure agreement, common law nondisclosure obligation, fiduciary duty, non-competition agreement, restrictive covenant or other obligation: (i) to the Company or its Subsidiary, as applicable, or (ii) to a former employer of any such employee relating (A) to the right of any such employee to be employed by the Company or its Subsidiary, as applicable, or (B) to the knowledge or use of trade secrets or proprietary information.

(i)    No current employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries who is at the level of Vice President or higher or with annual compensation in excess of $200,000 has provided a written notice of intent to terminate his employment.

(j)    Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) maintains completed copies of I-9 Employee Eligibility Verification Forms for each of its respective employees and former employees to the extent required by Law, and (ii) is in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 respecting such employees and former employees.

(k)    Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a settlement agreement with a current or former officer, employee or independent contractor of the Company or its Subsidiary, as applicable, involving allegations of sexual harassment by an officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. There is no, and for the past ten (10) years, there has not been any, litigation or arbitration pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, involving allegations of sexual harassment by an officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable.

2.18    Employee Benefits.

(a)    Section 2.18(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete list of each Employee Benefit Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is a party. The Company has Made Available to the Parent true, correct and complete copies of (i) each Employee Benefit Plan; (ii) the most recent annual report and actuarial report, if required under ERISA; (iii) the most recent Summary Plan Description required under ERISA with respect thereto; (iv) if the Employee Benefit Plan is funded through a trust or any third party funding vehicle, the trust or other funding agreement and the latest financial statements thereof; and (v) the most recent determination letter received from the IRS with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code.

(b)    Each Employee Benefit Plan complies in all material respects with the applicable requirements of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Law governing such Employee Benefit Plan, and each Employee Benefit Plan has at all times been administered in all material respects in accordance with all such requirements of Law and the terms of its written plan document. All accrued contributions and other payments to be made by the Company to

 

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any Employee Benefit Plan through the date of the Most Recent Financial Statements have been made or reserves adequate therefor have been set aside and reflected on the Most Recent Financial Statements. There are no pending, threatened or anticipated claims by or on behalf of any Employee Benefit Plan, by any employee or beneficiary covered under any such Employee Benefit Plan, or otherwise involving any such Employee Benefit Plan (other than routine claims for benefits).

(c)    Each Employee Pension Benefit Plan which is intended to be qualified under Code §401(a), has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS stating that such Employee Pension Benefit Plan meets the requirements of Code §401(a), or is entitled to rely on a favorable opinion letter or advisory letter from the IRS. The Company has never maintained or contributed to or been required to contribute to a Multiemployer Plan or a defined benefit pension plan subject to Title IV of ERISA.

(d)    Except as required by COBRA, no Employee Benefit Plan with respect to the Company provides health benefits or life or disability insurance coverage following retirement or other termination of service.

(e)    No amounts payable under the Employee Benefit Plans in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement (alone or in combination with any other event) would reasonably be expected to fail to be deductible for federal income tax purposes by virtue of Section 280G of the Code or be subject to excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code. Except as set forth in Section 2.18(e) of the Disclosure Schedule or as contemplated by the first sentence of Section 1.7(a), the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, either alone or in combination with another event, (i) entitle any current or former employee or officer of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to severance pay or any other payment, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee or officer. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to gross-up, indemnify or otherwise reimburse any employee or individual consultant for any Tax incurred by such employee or individual consultant, including under Code Section 409A or Code Section 4999, or any interest or penalty related thereto.

(f)    The provisions of outstanding Stock Options permit the treatment of such Stock Options set forth in Section 1.7 without the consent of the holders of any such Stock Options or of any other Person.

(g)    Neither the Company nor its Affiliates has (i) ever been an employer in relation to, participated in, or had any liability (whether prospective, contingent, or otherwise) to or in respect of a defined benefit pension scheme in the United Kingdom, or (ii) otherwise entered into any contractual arrangements or given any promises or commitments relating to the provision of pension benefits to employees or officers (or former officers) in the United Kingdom that are not “money purchase benefits” (within the meaning of the United Kingdom Pension Scheme Act 1993).

(h)    No employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the United Kingdom Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 or 2006 who, prior to such transfer, was entitled to any early retirement benefits under a defined benefit pension scheme.

 

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(i)    All outstanding Stock Options were granted with exercise prices that were, at the date of grant, not less than the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder.

(j)    No Founder Proceeds Recipient is entitled to receive any payment or benefit in excess of the amount set forth for such individual on Section 1.12 of the Disclosure Schedule with respect to the arrangement described on such schedule.

2.19    Environmental Matters.

(a)    The Company has complied with and is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws. The Company holds all material licenses, franchises, permits, operating authorities, state operating licenses or registrations and other interstate, intrastate, national or international regulatory licenses and other authorizations issued by any Governmental Authority that are necessary under applicable Environmental Laws for the lawful conduct of the Business as currently conducted (“Environmental Permits”). The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all such Environmental Permits, and the Business is not being conducted in violation of any Environmental Permit. All such Environmental Permits are in full force and effect, and no event has occurred that would reasonably be expected to result in the revocation, cancellation, non-renewal or adverse modification of any such Environmental Permit, nor has the Company or any if its Subsidiaries received any written notice thereof. None of the Environmental Permits will lapse, terminate or expire as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b)    Since March 31, 2015, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice from any Governmental Authority and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no Action has been filed against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries alleging that the Business as currently conducted violates any applicable Environmental Laws or any Environmental Permits. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any consent decree or other written agreement with any Governmental Authority in settlement of any alleged material violation of or material Liability under any applicable Environmental Law, under which decree or agreement the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any unfulfilled obligations.

(c)    To the Knowledge of the Company, there has been no release, spill or discharge of any Hazardous Substances at the Leased Real Property since March 31, 2015, that would reasonably be expected to result in any material Liability to the Company under any applicable Environmental Law.

2.20    Transaction with Affiliates. Except as set forth in Section 2.20 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no Contracts or transactions (other than related to continuing employment and employee benefit matters) between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of the Sellers, any direct or indirect equityholder, director, shareholder, manager, executive officer, employee or Affiliate of any of the Sellers or the Company, or any member of

 

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any such Person’s immediate family, or any Person controlled by such Person. Except as set forth in Section 2.20 of the Disclosure Schedule, no such Person owns directly or indirectly any interest (other than passive investments in publicly traded securities) in, or serves as an executive officer or director of, any supplier or other Person that has a material business relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as set forth and described in Section 2.20 of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the assets, tangible or intangible, or properties that are used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is owned by any of the Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates (other than the Company).

2.21    Customers and Suppliers. Section 2.21 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth (a) a list of the top twenty (20) customers of the Company and its Subsidiaries (by volume of sales to such customer) for the twelve (12) month period ended as of March 31, 2018, and indicating the volume of sales for each such customer; and (b) a list of the top ten (10) suppliers of the Company and its Subsidiaries (by volume of purchases from such suppliers) for the twelve (12) month period ended as of March 31, 2018, and indicating the volume of purchases from each such supplier. Except as set forth in Section 2.21 of the Disclosure Schedule, there has been no material dispute with any such customer or supplier, there has been no termination or material modification (including any price reduction or increase, as applicable, or failure to renew) of the business relationship between the Company and its Subsidiaries and such customer or supplier, and the Company has not received written notice from any such customer or supplier to the effect that any such customer or supplier will materially and negatively alter its relationship with the Company or will otherwise change its pricing terms.

2.22    Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable. The accounts receivable reflected in the Financial Statements or arising after the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Most Recent Financial Statements (a) have been determined in accordance with GAAP and consistent with past practice and have arisen from bona fide, arm’s length transactions entered into by the Company or a Subsidiary thereof involving the sale of goods or the rendering of services in the Ordinary Course; and (b) to the Knowledge of the Company, constitute only valid, enforceable, undisputed claims of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof and are not subject to claims of set-off or other defenses or counterclaims, subject to the respective reserves for uncollectible accounts shown on the Financial Statements (which reserves are adequate and have been determined and calculated in accordance with GAAP and consistent with past practice). All accounts payable and notes payable of the Company and its Subsidiaries reflected in the Financial Statements or arising after the date of the of the most recent balance sheet included in the Most Recent Financial Statements have been determined in accordance with GAAP and consistent with past practice and have arisen from bona fide arm’s length transactions entered into by the Company or a Subsidiary thereof in the Ordinary Course, and no such account payable or note payable is delinquent in its payment.

2.23    Vote Required. The Company has delivered all notices required to be delivered to Stockholders pursuant to the Company Charter and the Stockholders Agreements and, other than the Written Consent, any consent of the Stockholders to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby that is required pursuant to the Company Charter or any of the Stockholders Agreements has been received. Each of the Company and the applicable Stockholders has validly waived all rights of first refusal and all rights of co-sale that it may have pursuant to the Stockholders Agreements with

 

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respect to the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Merger constitutes a Deemed Liquidation Event, as that term is used and defined in the Company Charter, pursuant to Section 2.3.1(a) of the Company Charter, and the consideration payable to the Sellers pursuant to this Agreement is allocated pursuant to the Allocation Schedule among the holders of capital stock of the Company in accordance with Section 2.1 and Section 2.2 of the Company Charter. The consideration payable to Stockholders at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement exceeds the Series A Liquidation Amount, as that term is used and defined in the Company Charter.

2.24    Certain Payments. Since September 30, 2013, with respect to the operation of the Business, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has given, offered or agreed to offer anything of value, directly or indirectly, to: (a) any employees, officers or directors, or any customers of a company, as applicable, (b) any foreign or domestic governmental official, political party or candidate for government office or any of its employees or representatives, or (c) any person, while knowing that all or a portion of such thing of value will be offered, given or promised, directly or indirectly, to a foreign or domestic governmental official, political party or candidate for government office or any of its employees or representatives in any manner which would result in the violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Anti-Bribery Laws with respect to its operation of the business, including, but not limited to, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (“FCPA”) and the UK Bribery Act 2010 (“UKBA”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has, with respect to the Business, received a subpoena, letter of investigation or other document from a Governmental Authority alleging a violation of the FCPA, the UKBA, or other applicable Anti-Bribery Laws or regulations. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has, with respect to the Business, received, or is, to the Knowledge of the Company, the subject of, any internal complaint, allegation, audit, investigation or review process regarding a potential violation of any applicable Anti-Bribery Laws.

2.25    International Trade Laws.

(a)    Except as set forth in Section 2.25 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, and employees (in their capacities as representatives of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and, to the Knowledge of the Company, any agents or other third party representatives acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary are, and have at all times for the past five (5) years been, (i) in compliance with all International Trade Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries have obtained all permits or other forms of authorization for the export, re-export, deemed export, deemed re-export, transfer or import of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s products and services required in accordance with such International Trade Laws.

(b)    Without limiting the foregoing, for the past five (5) years, no action or voluntary disclosure related to the International Trade Laws is or has been pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or Subsidiary or any officer or director or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

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(c)    Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor any of their respective directors, officers, or employees (in their capacities as representatives of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any agents or other third party representatives acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary is, or has during the past five (5) years been, (i) a Person with whom transactions are prohibited under any International Trade Law or the target of economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced by the United States, the United Nations, the European Union or the United Kingdom; or (ii) engaged in a transaction or otherwise dealt directly or indirectly with any country or Person against which the United States, the United Nations, the European Union or the United Kingdom maintains, or has maintained during the last five (5) years, economic sanctions or embargoes.

2.26    Brokers Fees. Except as set forth in Section 2.26 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Liability to pay any fees, commissions or other compensation to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT AND ACQUISITION CORP.

Parent and the Acquisition Corp. represent and warrant to the Company that the statements contained in this Article 3 are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement, except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date other than the date of this Agreement, which representations and warranties are true and correct as of such other date.

3.1    Organization and Power. Each of Parent and Acquisition Corp. is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each of Parent and Acquisition Corp. has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

3.2    Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Acquisition Corp. of this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby to which it is a party, the consummation of the Merger and of the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite corporate action, and no other corporate act or proceeding on the part of Parent or Acquisition Corp., or either of their respective boards of directors or stockholders is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the other agreements contemplated hereby to which it is a party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. This Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby have been duly executed and delivered by Parent and Acquisition Corp. and, assuming the due execution and delivery of each agreement by the other parties thereto, each constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Parent and Acquisition Corp., enforceable against Parent or Acquisition Corp., as applicable, in accordance with their terms, in each case except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and applicable equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

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3.3    Absence of Conflicts. None of the execution and the delivery of this Agreement and the other documents contemplated hereby to which Parent or Acquisition Corp. is a party, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will (a) conflict with, result in a breach of any of the provisions of; (b) constitute a default under; (c) result in the violation of; (d) give any third party the right to terminate or to accelerate any obligation under; or (e) require any authorization, consent, approval or other action by or notice to any Governmental Authority under, any material agreement to which Parent or Acquisition Corp. is bound, Parent’s or Acquisition Corp.’s organizational documents or any Law to which Parent or Acquisition Corp. is subject.

3.4    Governmental Authorities and Consents. No permit, consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person (except for the filing and recordation of the Certificate of Merger as required by the DGCL and except as required pursuant to the HSR Act) is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Parent or Acquisition Corp. or any other agreements contemplated hereby to which any of them is a party, or the consummation by Parent or Acquisition Corp. of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

3.5    Litigation. There are no material Actions pending or, to the best of Parent’s Knowledge, threatened against or affecting Parent or Acquisition Corp., at law or in equity, or before or by any Government Authority which would or would reasonably be expected to adversely affect Parent’s or Acquisition Corp.’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the other agreements contemplated hereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

3.6    Ownership of Acquisition Corp.; No Prior Activities. Parent owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of Acquisition Corp.’s capital stock. Acquisition Corp. was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except for obligations or liabilities incurred in connection with its formation and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Acquisition Corp. has not and will not have incurred, directly or indirectly, through any Subsidiary or Affiliate, any obligations or liabilities or engaged in any business activities of any type or kind whatsoever or entered into any agreements or arrangements with any Person.

3.7    Brokerage. There are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders fees or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement made or alleged to have been made by or on behalf of Parent or Acquisition Corp.

3.8    Financing.

(a)    On or prior to the date hereof, Parent has delivered to the Company a correct and complete copy of an executed commitment letter (including all exhibits, schedules and annexes thereto, and as amended, modified, supplemented, replaced or extended from time

 

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to time after the date hereof in compliance with Section 4.7, the “Debt Commitment Letter”) from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Initial Lender”), to provide Parent with the financing described therein, subject to the terms and conditions in the Debt Commitment Letter (the “Debt Financing”), and the related fee letter (as amended, modified, supplemented, replaced or extended from time to time after the date hereof in compliance with Section 4.7, the “Fee Letter”); provided that the Fee Letter may be redacted to remove any fees, pricing and other economic terms and other sensitive information that would not adversely affect the conditionality, availability or enforceability of the Debt Financing.

(b)    The Debt Commitment Letter is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent, and to the knowledge of Parent, each other party thereto, enforceable against each such party in accordance with its terms, in each case except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and applicable equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). As of the date hereof, (i) the Debt Commitment Letter has not been amended or modified, (ii) no such amendment or modification is pending or contemplated (other than any amendment or modifications that would not be prohibited by Section 4.7), (iii) the respective commitments contained in the Debt Commitment Letter have not been withdrawn, terminated or rescinded in any respect, (iv) no event has occurred that would constitute a default or breach on the part of Parent under any term or condition of the Debt Commitment Letter and (v) no other contracts or arrangements to which Parent is a party as of the date hereof exist which would impose conditions to the funding in full of the Debt Financing under the Debt Commitment Letter or could otherwise reasonably be expected to affect the availability of the funding in full of the Debt Financing under the Debt Commitment Letter.

(c)    Parent has fully paid or caused to be fully paid any and all commitment fees or other fees required to be paid in connection with the Debt Commitment Letter that are payable on or prior to the date hereof. There are no side letters or other agreements, or Contracts to which Parent or any of its Affiliates is a party which are related to the funding or investing, as applicable, of the full amount of the Debt Financing that would or would reasonably be expected to (i) prevent or substantially delay the availability of the full amount of the Debt Financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter at the Closing or (ii) affect the enforceability of the Debt Commitment Letter. Assuming the Debt Financing is funded in accordance with the Debt Commitment Letter, the net proceeds contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter will in the aggregate, together with Parent’s available cash and cash equivalents, be sufficient for Parent to satisfy all of the payment obligations of Parent under this Agreement, including (i) paying the Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration and (ii) paying all fees and expenses incurred by it or for which it is responsible in connection with this Agreement. As of the date hereof, Parent does not have any reason to believe that any of the conditions to the Debt Financing will fail to timely be satisfied or that the full amount of the Debt Financing will be unavailable on or prior to the Closing Date. The Debt Commitment Letter is not subject to any conditions precedent to the obligations of the parties thereunder to make the applicable amount of the Debt Financing available to Parent at the Closing other than as set forth therein. Parent has no Knowledge, as of the date hereof, that any Debt Financing Source will not perform its funding obligations under the Debt Commitment Letter in accordance with its terms and conditions.

 

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(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Parent’s obligation to contemplate the transactions contemplated hereby is not conditioned or contingent on Parent’s ability to obtain any Debt Financing or any financing in lieu thereof.

3.9    Due Diligence Review. Each of Parent and Acquisition Corp. acknowledges that: (a) it has completed its own due diligence review with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries and it is entering into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on such investigation and, except for the specific representations and warranties made by the Company in Article 2 hereof and the related portions of the Disclosure Schedule and any representations or warranties made pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements and other agreements and documents contemplated hereby, it is not relying upon any representation or warranty of the Company or any Affiliate, officer, director, employee, agent or advisor thereof, nor upon the accuracy of any record, projection or statement made available or given to Parent or Acquisition Corp. in the performance of such investigation and (b) it has had such opportunity to seek accounting, legal or other advice or information in connection with its entry into this Agreement and the other documents referred to herein relating to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby as it has seen fit.

3.10    Restricted Securities. Parent understands and acknowledges that (a) none of the Company Capital Stock has been registered or qualified under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or under any securities laws of any state of the United States or other jurisdiction, in reliance upon specific exemptions thereunder for transactions not involving any public offering; (b) all of the Company Capital Stock constitutes “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 under the 1933 Act; (c) none of the Company Capital Stock is traded or tradable on any securities exchange or over the counter; and (d) none of the Company Capital Stock may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of unless a registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to such Company Capital Stock and qualification in accordance with any applicable state securities laws becomes effective or unless such registration and qualification is inapplicable, or an exemption therefrom is available. Parent is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of the 1933 Act.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

4.1    Further Actions. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Parties agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to cooperate with each other in connection with the foregoing, including using their commercially reasonable efforts to (a) obtain all necessary waivers, consents and approvals from other parties to the Material Contracts, (b) obtain all consents, approvals and authorizations that are required to be obtained under any applicable Law, (c) prevent the entry, enactment or promulgation of any threatened or pending Order that would adversely affect the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (d) lift or rescind any Order adversely affecting the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and (e) effect all necessary registrations, applications, notices and filings and submissions of information requested by Governmental Authorities. Subject to the Company’s obligation to use commercially reasonable

 

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efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall require any of the Sellers to agree to or execute any material changes to any Contracts, offer or grant any accommodation (financial or otherwise), commence any Action or make any payments to any third party in order to obtain third party consents to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except in the case where such material change shall only be effective upon the Closing and where such payments are expressly contemplated by a Contract between the Company and such third party.

4.2    Filings and Actions with respect to Antitrust Laws. After the date hereof through the Closing:

(a)    Each Party will each take all actions necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law to (i) make their respective filings under any applicable Antitrust Law as promptly as practicable, and in any event not later than five (5) Business Days after the date of hereof, (ii) cause the satisfaction of such other filing requirements, or the issuance of such approvals, clearances, consents or authorizations as may be required with respect to any Antitrust Law, (iii) request early termination of any waiting periods under the HSR Act, (iv) comply at the earliest practicable date with any request for information or documentary material received by Parent or the Company or any of their Affiliates from any Governmental Authority, and (v) avoid the entry of any decree, judgment, injunction or other order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, under any Antitrust Law, that would have the effect of prohibiting, preventing or restricting consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b)    The Parties commit to instruct their respective counsel to cooperate with each other and use commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate and expedite the expiration of all applicable waiting periods under any Antitrust Law and to obtain all requisite approvals, clearances and authorizations for the transactions contemplated hereby under Antitrust Law at the earliest practicable dates. The Parties’ commercially reasonable efforts shall include the undertaking to (i) cooperate in all respects with each other in connection with any filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, (ii) promptly keep each other appropriately informed of communications from and to personnel of the reviewing Governmental Authority, (iii) confer with each other regarding appropriate contacts with and responses to personnel of such Governmental Authority, (iv) not arrange for or participate in any meeting with any Governmental Authority in respect of any filings, investigation or other inquiry without consulting with each other in advance, and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Authority, giving the other party the opportunity to attend and participate thereat, and (v) furnish all information reasonably required for any application or other filing to be made pursuant to any applicable Law of any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

(c)    The Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as may be asserted by any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby under any Antitrust Law. If any administrative, judicial or legislative action or proceeding is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) challenging the transactions contemplated hereby as violative of any Antitrust Law, the Parties shall each

 

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cooperate and use its commercially reasonable efforts to vigorously contest and resist any such action or proceeding, and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and that restricts, prevents or prohibits (or seeks to restrict, prevent or prohibit) consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including by vigorously pursuing all available avenues of administrative and judicial appeal and all available legislative actions.

(d)    Parent will pay the cost of all filing fees related to the foregoing to the applicable Governmental Authority.

4.3    Conduct of Business Prior to Closing. Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, required by Law, or as Parent may otherwise consent to in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), from the date hereof through the Closing, the Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to operate the Business in all material respects in the Ordinary Course. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, required by Law, or as Parent may otherwise consent to in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), from the date hereof through the Closing, the Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, not:

(a)    enter into any debt agreement, obligation of indebtedness, or security, or create, incur, assume, or guarantee any indebtedness or issue any debt securities other than the borrowing of loans in the Ordinary Course pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement (provided that the principal amount of the Indebtedness incurred thereunder shall not exceed the commitments in effect under the Existing Credit Agreement as of the date hereof), in each case, other than trade payables in the Ordinary Course;

(b)    (i) other than in connection with the exercise of Stock Options outstanding on the date hereof in accordance with their existing terms, authorize for issuance, issue, sell, deliver or agree or commit to issue, sell or deliver any of its equity interests, (ii) declare, set aside or pay any distribution (whether in cash or property or any combination thereof) in respect of any of its equity interests, (iii) split, combine or reclassify any of its equity interests or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other equity securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for its equity interests, or (iv) amend the terms of, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its equity interests;

(c)    amend its organizational documents, or adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization, amalgamation, reclassification, or like change in capitalization, or other reorganization;

(d)    in each case other than as set forth on Schedule 4.3(d), materially amend or voluntarily terminate any Material Contract or enter into any contract, agreement or arrangement that would be a Material Contract if entered into prior to the date hereof;

(e)    in each case other than in the Ordinary Course, sell, lease, license, encumber, abandon, allow to lapse or otherwise dispose of, or agree to sell, lease, license, encumber, abandon, allow to lapse or otherwise dispose of, any of its material assets, including any Material Company Intellectual Property;

 

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(f)    delay payment of any account payable or other Liability beyond its due date or the date when such liability would have been paid in the Ordinary Course;

(g)    pay or discharge, enter into any settlement or release with respect to, or commence, waive or compromise any Action that is material to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(h)    cancel, terminate or amend in any material respect any insurance policy in effect as of the date hereof, other than the termination, renewal or replacement of any such policy in the Ordinary Course on comparable terms as in effect on the date hereof;

(i)    (i) acquire (by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets) or sell (by merger, consolidation or sale of stock or assets) equity securities of any Person or (ii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person;

(j)    except to the extent required under any Employee Benefit Plan or any existing Contract, (i) pay any bonuses or increase salaries or other compensation to any of its officers or employees (other than as set forth on Section 4.3(j) of the Disclosure Schedule), (ii) enter into any employment, severance or similar Contract with any officer or employee, (iii) enter into, modify or extend any CBA or recognize or certify any labor union, works council, labor organization or group of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries as the bargaining representative for any employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (iv) materially adopt, increase, accelerate, amend, modify or terminate any Employee Benefit Plan or similar arrangement with a consultant (other than in connection with any vesting of In-the-Money Options as required by Section 1.7 hereof), (v) hire any employee at the level of Vice President or above or with annual compensation in excess of $150,000 or with severance or other termination benefits in excess of $50,000 (other than as set forth on Section 4.3(j) of the Disclosure Schedule), or (vi) terminate the employment of any employee at the level of Vice President or above or with annual compensation in excess of $150,000 or with severance or other termination benefits in excess of $50,000;

(k)    waive any restrictive covenant obligations of any employee or consultant of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

(l)    implement or adopt any change in its Tax accounting or financial accounting principles, practices or methods;

(m)    (i) make, revoke, or amend any material Tax election, (ii) file any amended Tax Return or any claim for Tax refund, (iii) enter into any closing agreement affecting any Tax liability or refund, (iv) file any request for rulings or special Tax incentives with any Tax Authority, (v) settle or compromise any Tax liability or refund, (vi) extend or waive the application of any statute of limitations regarding the assessment or collection of any Tax, or (vii) enter into any Tax Sharing Agreement; or

(n)    agree to take any of the foregoing actions.

 

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4.4    Access. From the date hereof through the Closing, the Company shall, (a) provide the Parent and its representatives (including its legal counsel and accountants, as well as the Debt Financing Sources and potential Debt Financing Sources and potential underwriters of the R&W Insurance Policy) with reasonable access to such information as the Parent may from time to time reasonably request with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Business and (b) upon reasonable prior notice during normal business hours and under reasonable circumstances in a manner so as not to interfere with the normal business operations of the Business, provide the Parent and its representatives (including legal counsel and accountants) with reasonable access to the premises, management, books, records, Contracts and documents of or pertaining to the Company as the Parent may from time to time reasonably request; provided, however, that in no event will the Company be required to furnish the Parent or its representatives with any documents or information that the Company is required by Law or Order to keep confidential or that would reasonably be expected to jeopardize the status of such document or information as privileged, work product, or as a trade secret; provided, further, that the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Parent and its representatives with access, documents, and information sought in a manner that does not jeopardize the status of such document or information as privileged, work product, or as a trade secret. All such information and access shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Non-Disclosure Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2018, executed by the Company and Parent (the “Non-Disclosure Agreement”).

4.5    Contact with Customers, Suppliers and Employees. Parent acknowledges and agrees that it is not authorized to and shall not (and shall not permit any of its employees, agents, representatives or Affiliates to) contact any employees, customers, suppliers, distributors or other material business relations of the Company prior to the Closing without the prior consent of the Company; provided, however, that Parent shall not be prohibited from contacting customers, suppliers, distributors or other material business relations of the Parent and its Affiliates in the Ordinary Course and not related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

4.6    Schedule Updates.

(a)    Prior to the Closing, the Company may supplement and update the Disclosure Schedule to reflect any matter or information arising after the date of this Agreement which, if existing, occurring or known at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in the Disclosure Schedule.

(b)    Prior to the Closing, if the Company becomes aware of any matter existing, occurring or known as of the date of this Agreement that was required to be set forth or described in the Disclosure Schedule, but that is not so set forth or described thereon the Company may amend the Disclosure Schedule to this Agreement in any manner which is necessary to correct any existing inaccuracy or incorrect or incomplete information in such Disclosure Schedule.

(c)    No such supplement or amendment to the Disclosure Schedule pursuant to Section 4.6(a) or Section 4.6(b) shall be deemed to have modified the representations, warranties or covenants of the Company herein for purposes of determining whether the conditions set forth in Section 5.2(a) have been satisfied, or shall affect whether a breach of such representations, warranties or covenants has occurred for purposes of determining the Parent’s rights under Article 6 with respect thereto.

 

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4.7    Financing Activities.

(a)    Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, as promptly as reasonably possible, all things necessary, proper or advisable to arrange and obtain the proceeds of the Debt Financing on the terms and conditions described in the Debt Commitment Letter (including as such terms and conditions may be amended, modified or waived in accordance with Section 4.07(b) or pursuant to any “market flex” provisions in the Fee Letter), including using reasonable best efforts to: (i) maintain in effect the Debt Commitment Letter, (ii) satisfy, or cause to be satisfied, on a timely basis all conditions applicable to Parent obtaining the Debt Financing set forth therein (or obtain a waiver thereof), (iii) negotiate and enter into definitive agreements with respect to the Debt Financing (the “Financing Agreements”) on the terms and conditions contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter (including as such terms and conditions may be amended, modified or waived in accordance with Section 4.07(b) or pursuant to any “market flex” provisions in the Fee Letter) or on other terms that are acceptable to the Debt Financing Sources and Parent, which terms and conditions shall not materially expand upon the conditions to Closing or other contingencies to the funding on the Closing Date of the Debt Financing as set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter, (iv) pay all commitment fees or other fees required by the Debt Commitment Letter to be paid as they become due, and (v) consummate the Debt Financing at or prior to the time the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 1.2.

(b)    Parent shall use reasonable best efforts to provide the Company with reasonably prompt written notice, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days of becoming aware, of any of the following, to the extent occurring prior to the Closing: (i) any material breach or default by any party to the Debt Commitment Letter or any Financing Agreement of which Parent becomes aware, (ii) the receipt of any written notice or other written communication from any Person with respect to any (x) breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to the Debt Commitment Letter or (y) dispute or disagreement between or among any parties to the Debt Commitment Letter (other than any customary negotiations with respect to the terms of the Debt Financing), solely to the extent such disagreement or dispute relates to the termination of, or the satisfaction of the conditions to, the obligation of the Debt Financing Sources party thereto to fund their commitments thereunder, (iii) if and when Parent becomes aware of the occurrence of any event or development that could reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse impact on the ability of Parent to obtain any portion of the Debt Financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter (other than as a result of the failure or potential failure of the conditions set forth in Article 5 to be satisfied), and (iv) of any expiration or termination of the Debt Commitment Letter. Parent shall provide the Company executed copies of the Financing Agreements entered into prior to the Closing Date (provided that any fee letters, engagement letters or other agreements that are confidential by their terms may be redacted in a manner so as not to disclose such terms that are so confidential, including to remove fees, pricing and other economic terms) and copies of any of the written notices or communications described in the preceding sentence; provided, however, that nothing in this sentence or the immediately preceding sentence shall require Parent to disclose any information that (A) is subject to attorney-client privilege or consists of attorney work product, (B) the disclosure of which would result in the breach of any of Parent’s confidentiality obligations set forth in any Contract, or (C) the disclosure of which would be prohibited under applicable Law.

 

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(c)    If any portion of the Debt Financing becomes, or would reasonably be expected to become, unavailable for any reason on the terms and conditions contemplated in the Debt Commitment Letter, Parent shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain alternative financing, including from alternative sources, on terms not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, than those set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter, in an amount sufficient to replace any unavailable portion of the Debt Financing and which do not include any conditions to the consummation of such alternative debt financing that are more onerous than the conditions set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter (other than conditions that would not reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) (“Alternative Financing”) as promptly as practicable following the occurrence of such event. Thereafter, all references to the Debt Financing shall be deemed to include such Alternative Financing, and all references to the Debt Commitment Letter and Debt Documents shall include the commitment letter and any applicable documents for the Alternative Financing, as applicable. Promptly following the Company’s reasonable request, Parent shall use reasonable best efforts to update the Company regarding the status of its efforts to arrange any Alternative Financing; provided, however, that Parent shall not be required to disclose any information that (A) is subject to attorney-client privilege or consists of attorney work product, (B) the disclosure of which would result in the breach of any of Parent’s confidentiality obligations set forth in any Contract, or (C) the disclosure of which would be prohibited under applicable Law.

(d)    Parent shall not permit, without the prior written consent of the Company, any material amendment, modification, supplement, replacements or restatement to be made to, or any waiver of any provision or remedy under, the Debt Commitment Letter or any Financing Agreement that would or would reasonably be expected to (i) reduce the aggregate amount of net cash proceeds available from the Debt Financing below the amount necessary to finance the transactions to be consummated on the Closing Date, or (ii) impose any new or additional condition, or otherwise amend, modify or expand any condition, to the receipt of any portion of the Debt Financing, in each case, in a manner that would reasonably be expected to (A) materially delay or prevent consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby to be consummated on the Closing Date, (B) make the funding of any portion of the Debt Financing (or satisfaction of any condition to obtaining any portion of the Debt Financing) materially less likely to occur, or (C) adversely affect the ability of Parent to enforce its rights against any other party to any Financing Agreement (collectively, with the Debt Commitment Letter, the “Debt Documents”) or the ability of Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (y) Parent shall be permitted to amend the Debt Commitment Letter to add lenders, agents, co-agents, arrangers, bookrunners, managers or other roles under the Debt Commitment Letter and (z) any amendment or modification to any Debt Documents in connection with the exercise of any “market flex” shall not be prohibited or otherwise limited by this Section 4.7(d).

 

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4.8    Financing Cooperation.

(a)    Prior to the Closing, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause their respective representatives to, at Parent’s sole expense, provide to Parent such cooperation reasonably requested by Parent that is customary in connection with Parent’s efforts to obtain the Debt Financing (provided that such requested cooperation is consistent with applicable Law and does not unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), including: (i) furnishing Parent and its Debt Financing Sources as promptly as practicable with unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries, for each fiscal quarter ended after the date of the Most Recent Financial Statements but at least forty (40) calendar days before the Closing Date (collectively, the “Required Information”); (ii) making members of senior management with appropriate seniority and expertise available (including by conference call) for a reasonable number of meetings, presentations, and due diligence sessions; (iii) providing all information reasonably requested by Parent or the Debt Financing Sources regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries under applicable “know your customer,” anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Beneficial Ownership Regulation and the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, at least five (5) business days prior to the Closing Date, in each case, requested at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date; (iv) assisting with the preparation of any Debt Documents as may be reasonably requested by Parent; provided that no obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any such documentation shall be effective until the Closing (other than as set forth in any authorization letter with respect to the Debt Financing); and (v) assisting Parent and the Debt Financing Sources in the preparation of bank information memoranda (including, to the extent necessary, an additional bank information memorandum that does not include material non-public information and executing customary authorization letters) for any of the Debt Financing to the extent reasonably requested by Parent. None of the Company or any of its respective Subsidiaries or any of their respective representatives shall be required, under the provisions of this Section 4.8(a) or otherwise in connection with the Debt Financing (x) to pay any commitment or other similar fee prior to the Closing that is not advanced by Parent or (y) to incur any expense unless such expense is promptly reimbursed by Parent following written request by the Company. Parent shall indemnify the Company and its respective Subsidiaries and their respective representatives from and against any and all losses, damages, awards, fines, penalties, expenses, fees, costs and amounts paid in settlement in accordance with this Agreement (including reasonable fees and reasonable expenses of counsel) suffered or incurred by them in connection with (1) any action taken by them at the request of Parent pursuant to this Section 4.8 or in connection with the arrangement of the Debt Financing or (2) any information utilized in connection therewith, except to the extent arising from (i) information provided by or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates or (ii) the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Company or its Affiliates. Nothing contained in this Section 4.8 or otherwise shall require the Company to be an issuer or other obligor with respect to the Debt Financing prior to the Closing and, until the Closing occurs, neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries nor their respective representatives shall (1) be required to take any action that will conflict with or violate their respective certificate of incorporation, by-laws or comparable organizational documents or any Laws or orders or (2) be required to pass resolutions or consents, approve or authorize the execution of, or execute any document, agreement, certificate or instrument or take any other corporate action with respect to the Debt Financing that is not contingent on the Closing or that would be effective prior to the Closing Date (other than customary authorization letters as described in clause (v) above).

 

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(b)    All material, non-public information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries provided to Parent or its respective representatives pursuant to this Section 4.8 shall be kept confidential by them in accordance with Section 9.11(b), except for disclosure to Debt Financing Sources and potential Debt Financing Sources as required in connection with the Debt Financing subject to customary confidentiality protections.

4.9    Parent Actions. Any acts or omissions of the Parent, any of its Affiliates or any Person acting at the direction of the Parent or any of its Affiliates taken or omitted to be taken on or after the date hereof pursuant to this Agreement in the markets in which the Company operates shall not be the basis for a Material Adverse Effect, shall not be a basis upon which the Parent’s closing conditions set forth in Sections 5.2(a) or 5.2(b) shall fail to be satisfied and shall not excuse the Parent from performing its obligations under this Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.10    Public Announcements. Prior to the Closing, none of any of the Stockholder Representative, the Company, the Parent or any of their respective Affiliates shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without prior consultation with the Parent, the Stockholder Representative and any Seller to be named in such release or announcement; provided that the Parties hereto may make disclosures with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (a) as may be required by applicable Law or listing agreement with or listing rule of a national securities exchange, (b) to their respective employees, accountants, advisors and other representatives as necessary in connection with the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses to the extent such Persons have a need to know the information contained in such disclosure(s), and (c) in order to comply with the covenants contained in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent and the Company shall cooperate to prepare a joint press release to be issued on the Closing Date, which press release shall be mutually acceptable to the Parent and the Company. After the Closing Date, except as may be required by applicable Law or listing agreement with or listing rule of a national securities exchange, no press release related to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, or other announcements to the employees or customers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, shall be issued without prior written consent of the Parent, the Stockholder Representative and any Seller to be named in such release or announcement.

4.11    Exclusivity. The Company agrees that between the date of this Agreement and the earlier of the Closing and the termination of this Agreement, the Company shall cease any and all existing activities, discussions and negotiations with any Person other than Parent with respect to, and to deal exclusively with Parent and its Affiliates and representatives regarding, any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and the Company shall not, and shall take all action necessary to ensure that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries, Affiliates or representatives shall, directly or indirectly:

(a)    solicit, initiate, consider, encourage or accept any other proposals or offers from any Person (i) relating to any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of all or any portion of the shares of Company Capital Stock or other equity or ownership interest of the Company or

 

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substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than services sold in the Ordinary Course or (ii) to enter into any merger, consolidation or other business combination relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or

(b)    participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person any information with respect to, or facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt by any other Person to seek to do any of the foregoing.

4.12    R&W Insurance Policy. The Parent shall purchase, on or prior to the Closing Date a buyer-side representation and warranty insurance policy (the “R&W Insurance Policy”) to insure against Losses incurred by the Parent as a result of the failure of any representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or by any Stockholder in a Letter of Transmittal to be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (or as of a particular date, where such representation or warranty is made only as of such particular date). Parent shall negotiate such R&W Insurance Policy and shall provide the Stockholder Representative with (a) the opportunity to review the R&W Insurance Policy prior to finalizing and binding or issuing such policy and (b) a copy of the R&W Insurance policy at the Closing. One half of the premium and associated fees and expenses for the R&W Insurance Policy shall constitute Transaction Expenses, and one half of such costs shall be borne by Parent. The Parent acknowledges and agrees that the Sellers shall not be liable as a result of any rights of subrogation under the R&W Insurance Policy other than in the case of fraud (as such term is defined in the R&W Insurance Policy) and that Parent shall not (and shall cause its Affiliates not to) amend, terminate, or waive any provision of the R&W Insurance Policy regarding the waiver of subrogation against the Sellers set forth in the R&W Insurance Policy without the prior written consent of the Stockholder Representative.

4.13    Employee Matters.

(a)    During the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date which is twelve (12) months from the Closing Date (or if earlier, the date of the employee’s termination of employment with the Company), the Parent, Surviving Corporation or an Affiliate thereof shall provide each employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as determined immediately prior to the Closing, “Company Group Employee”) who remains employed immediately after the Closing, other than those individuals listed on Section 4.13 of the Disclosure Schedule (“Continuing Employee”) with: (i) base salary or hourly wages which are no less than the base salary or hourly wages provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Closing; (ii) a target bonus opportunity (excluding equity-based compensation), if any, which is not less than the target bonus opportunity (excluding equity-based compensation) provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Closing; (iii) retirement, health and welfare benefits that are no less favorable in the aggregate than those provided by Parent immediately prior to the Closing to similarly situated employees of Parent or its Affiliates; and (iv) severance benefits (if any) that are no less favorable than the practice, plan or policy in effect for similarly situated employees of Parent.

(b)    With respect to any employee benefit plan or program maintained by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their Affiliates (including, but not limited to, any vacation or paid time-off) for any Continuing Employee, for purposes of determining eligibility

 

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to participate, vesting, and levels of severance pay, vacation pay and other paid time off entitlements, each Continuing Employee’s service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as well as all service with any predecessor employer of the Company or any such Subsidiary, to the extent service with the predecessor employer is recognized by the Company or such Subsidiary) shall be treated as service with Parent, the Surviving Corporation and/or an Affiliate thereof; provided that such service need not be recognized for benefit accrual purposes under any defined benefit pension plan or to the extent such recognition would result in any duplication of benefits or compensation.

(c)    With respect to each health or welfare benefit plan and program maintained by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their Affiliates for the benefit of any Continuing Employee (and his or her eligible dependents), Parent, the Surviving Company or such Affiliate shall (i) cause to be waived any eligibility waiting periods, actively-at-work requirements, evidence of insurability requirements and the application of any pre-existing conditions or limitations under such plan or program, and (ii) cause each Continuing Employee (and his or her eligible dependents) to be given credit under such plan or program for all amounts paid by such Continuing Employee (or his or her eligible dependents) under any similar Employee Benefit Plans for the plan year that includes the Closing Date for purposes of applying deductibles, co-payments, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums as though such amounts had been paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plan maintained by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or such Affiliate for the plan year in which the Closing Date occurs.

(d)    The Company and Parent acknowledge and agree that all provisions contained in this Section 4.13 with respect to Company Group Employees and Continuing Employees are included for the sole benefit of the Company and Parent and that nothing in this Section 4.13, whether express or implied, shall (i) be treated as an amendment or other modification to any Employee Benefit Plan or other benefit or compensation plan, agreement or other arrangement or (ii) create any third party beneficiary or other rights (A) in any Person other than the parties to this Agreement, including any Company Group Employees, former Company Group Employees, Continuing Employees or any participant in any Employee Benefit Plan (in each case who become bound by this Agreement) or any dependent or beneficiary of any such Person, or (B) to continued employment, any separate right to employment or any particular term of condition of employment of any Person with the Company, Parent or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Each of the Company Incentive Agreements shall be terminated, effective as of the Closing, and nothing contained herein is intended to prohibit Parent or any of its Subsidiaries from amending or terminating any other Employee Benefit Plan.

4.14    Termination of Certain Agreements. Except as set forth on Section 4.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Sellers shall terminate, or cause to be terminated, with no further liability or obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on or prior to the Closing, all Contracts and other transactions with Affiliates of the Company listed on Section 2.20 of the Disclosure Schedule and shall provide reasonably satisfactory written evidence thereof to Parent. Each of the Stockholders Agreements shall be terminated, effective as of the Closing.

4.15    280G. The Company shall: (a) obtain from each person who is a “disqualified individual” under Section 280G(c) of the Code and who has a right to any severance payments,

 

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accelerated vesting and payment of Stock Options, and other payments, which would be deemed to constitute “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Code (the “Potential 280G Payments”), a waiver (in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent) of such person’s rights to some or all of the potential 280G benefits (the “Waived Benefits”) so that all remaining Potential 280G Payments applicable to such person shall not be deemed to be “parachute payments” that would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code and subject to the imposition of additional Tax under Section 4999 of the Code; and (b) seek (in a form and manner reasonably acceptable to Parent) approval of the Stockholders of payment of the Potential 280G Payments in a manner that complies with Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.280G-1 (the “280G Approval”) of the Waived Benefits. To the extent that the 280G Approval is not obtained with respect to any Waived Benefits, the Company will not pay or provide any such Waived Benefits, and the “disqualified individual” shall have no further rights with respect to such Waived Benefits.

4.16    Stockholder Approval. The Company shall take all action necessary in accordance with applicable Law, the Company Charter and the Company’s other organizational documents, and the Stockholders Agreements to seek and obtain the Written Consent within twenty-four (24) hours of the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Promptly following the receipt of the Written Consent, the Company shall provide a copy thereof to Parent. As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company shall, to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the DGCL and the Company Charter and the Company’s other organizational documents, deliver to each Stockholder written notice of the Written Consent, which notice shall include a copy of Section 262 of the DGCL and shall be sufficient in form and substance to start the period of twenty (20) days during which a Stockholder must demand appraisal of such Stockholder’s Company Capital Stock as contemplated by Section 262(d)(2) of the DGCL. All materials mailed to Stockholders pursuant to this Section 4.16 shall be subject to Parent’s review and approval, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

4.17    Leakage.

(a)    During the period commencing on January 1, 2019, up to (and including) the earlier to occur of January 4, 2019, and the Closing Date, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, not: (i) permit any Leakage to occur; (ii) make or enter into any arrangement or agreement that results in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, any Leakage; and (iii) consent to or give instructions for any Leakage to be paid, made, or incurred.

(b)    As used in this Section 4.17, “Leakage” means each and any of the following:

(i)    any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash or in kind) declared, paid, or made (whether actual or deemed) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Seller or any Affiliate of a Seller or any person connected to them (other than the Company or any Subsidiary) (a “Related Person”);

(ii)    any payment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Seller or Related Person for the purchase, redemption, or repayment of any Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Stock Option, or other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any other return of capital to any Seller or Related Person;

 

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(iii)    any payment of any other nature made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to or for the benefit of any Seller or Related Person (including royalty payments, management fees, monitoring fees, interest payments, loan payments, service or directors’ fees, bonuses, or other compensation of any kind, other than employment compensation consistent with such Person’s compensation prior to the date hereof);

(iv)    any transfer or surrender of assets, rights, or other benefits by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to or for the benefit of any Seller or Related Person;

(v)    in incurrence of assumption of any Liability by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of any Seller or Related Person;

(vi)    the provision of any guarantee or indemnity or the creation of any Encumbrance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in favor, or for the benefit, of any Seller or Related Person;

(vii)    any waiver, discount, deferral, release, or discharge by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of (A) any amount, obligation, or Liability owed to it by any Seller or Related Person; or (B) any Action or other claim (howsoever arising) against any Seller or Related Person; and

(viii)    any agreement or arrangement made or entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary to do or give effect to any matter referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) above.

(c)    The obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries under Section 4.17(a) are in addition to those obligations set forth in Section 4.3. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event the Closing does not occur on or prior to January 4, 2019, this Section 4.17 shall (without affecting any other provision of this Agreement) automatically terminate and become null and void, and there will be no right, obligation, or restriction on the part of the Company, any of the Sellers, or the Stockholder Representative, Parent, Acquisition Corp., or any other Person under this Section 4.17.

4.18    Disclaimer. Parent and Acquisition Corp. hereby acknowledge that, except as expressly set forth in Article 2 and any representations or warranties made pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements and, in the case of a Seller, its Support Agreement or Letter of Transmittal, as applicable, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Seller makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity and any such other representations or warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed, whether made by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, partners, managers, employees, agents or representatives or any other Person. Parent and Acquisition Corp. hereby acknowledge that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (a) none of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Seller shall be deemed to make to Parent or Acquisition Corp. any representation or warranty other than as expressly made by such Person in Article 2 and in the Ancillary Agreements or, in the case of a Stockholder, its Letter of Transmittal, and (b) neither

 

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the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Seller makes any representation or warranty to Parent or Acquisition Corp. (i) with respect to any projections, estimates or budgets heretofore delivered to or Made Available to Parent or its counsel, accountants or advisors of future revenues, expenses or expenditures or future results of operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) except as otherwise expressly set forth in Article 2 or in the Ancillary Agreements, any other information or documents (financial or otherwise) Made Available to Parent or its counsel, accountants, or advisors with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that neither of the foregoing clauses (a) or (b) shall limit any Action with respect to Fraud.

ARTICLE 5

CONDITIONS TO THE CLOSING

5.1    Conditions Precedent to Each Partys Obligations. The respective obligations of each Party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby will be subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of all of the following conditions, any one or more of which may, to the extent permitted by Law, be waived in writing at the option of the affected Party:

(a)    No Legal Prohibition. No Law or Order shall be enacted, promulgated, entered or enforced by any Governmental Authority that would prohibit the consummation by such Party of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b)    Antitrust Laws. The applicable waiting period, together with any extensions thereof, under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated.

5.2    Conditions to Obligations of the Parent. The Parent’s obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by Law, waiver by Parent) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions precedent:

(a)    (i) All Fundamental Representations of the Company shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date; and (ii) all other representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct (in each case, without taking into account any “Material Adverse Effect” or other materiality qualifications) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (other than those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date or only with respect to a specific period of time, which need only be accurate as of such date or with respect to such period), except where the failure of such other representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    The Company and the Stockholder Representative shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all of the agreements and covenants in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Company or the Stockholder Representative on, prior to, or as of the Closing Date.

 

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(c)    Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred, or be continuing, a Material Adverse Effect.

(d)    Parent shall have received the following documents:

(i)    a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by an officer of the Company, certifying as to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Sections 5.2(a), 5.2(b), and 5.2(c);

(ii)    a certificate of the Secretary of the Company certifying as to (A) (1) the certificate of incorporation of the Company and equivalent organizational documents of each Subsidiary of the Company and (2) certificates of good standing of the jurisdiction of incorporation or formation of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries certified not later than five (5) days prior to the Closing Date by the Secretary of State of each such jurisdiction, (B) the bylaws of the Company and equivalent organizational documents of each Subsidiary of the Company, (C) resolutions of the Company Board authorizing and approving the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party, (D) the Written Consent, and (E) the incumbency and signatures of the officers of the Company executing this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party;

(iii)    the Payoff Letter and invoices for the Indebtedness set forth on Section 1.9 of the Disclosure Schedule and the Estimated Transaction Expenses;

(iv)    the third party and governmental consents set forth on Section 5.2(d)(iv) of the Disclosure Schedule;

(v)    evidence satisfactory to the Parent that the Company Incentive Plans and the Stockholders Agreements have been terminated;

(vi)    resignations from the directors and officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries as shall be identified to the Company by Parent not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, with such resignations to be contingent upon the occurrence of the Closing;

(vii)    a counterpart signature page to the Paying Agent Agreement duly executed by the Company and the Stockholder Representative;

(viii)    counterpart signature pages to the Support Agreement (or Support Agreements) duly executed by Stockholders holding at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the voting power of the Company;

(ix)    a counterpart signature page to the Escrow Agreement duly executed by the Stockholder Representative;

(x)    each of the Restrictive Covenant Agreements shall be in full force and effect;

 

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(xi)    a certificate in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.897-2(h) and 1.1445-2(c)(3) certifying that the Company is not a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code and a form of notice to the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.897-2(h)(2), in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Parent; and

(xii)    all of the minute books of the Company.

5.3    Conditions to Obligation of the Company. The Company’s obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by Law, waiver by the Stockholder Representative) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions precedent:

(a)    (i) All Fundamental Representations of Parent shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date; and (ii) all other representations and warranties of Parent shall be true and correct (in each case, without taking into account any materiality qualifications) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (other than those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date or only with respect to a specific period of time, which need only be accurate as of such date or with respect to such period), except where the failure of such other representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially impair or delay Parent’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b)    Parent shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all of the agreements and covenants in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by Parent on, prior to, or as of the Closing Date.

(c)    The Company shall have received the following documents:

(i)    a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by an officer of Parent, certifying as to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Sections 5.3(a) and 5.3(b);

(ii)    a copy of the Paying Agent Agreement duly executed by Parent;

(iii)    a copy of the Escrow Agreement duly executed by Parent; and

(iv)    evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company that the payments to be made by the Parent pursuant to Section 1.6(a) have been paid (or will be paid contemporaneously with the Closing).

ARTICLE 6

TERMINATION

6.1    Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Parties at any time prior to the Closing as follows:

(a)    the Parent and the Company may terminate this Agreement by mutual written consent at any time prior to the Closing;

 

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(b)    at any time after February 25, 2019 (the “Outside Date”), either the Parent or the Company may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to non-terminating Party if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before such Outside Date and such failure to consummate is not caused by a breach of this Agreement by the terminating Party;

(c)    the Parent may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the Company at any time prior to the Closing, if the Company has breached or failed to comply with its warranties, representations or obligations under this Agreement such that the conditions set forth in Sections 5.2(a) or 5.2(b) would not reasonably be expected to be satisfied, and such breach or failure to comply is incapable of being cured by the Outside Date; provided, however, that the Parent shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.1(c) if the Parent is in breach or violation of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement;

(d)    the Company may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the Parent at any time prior to the Closing, if the Parent has breached or failed to comply with its warranties, representations or obligations under this Agreement such that the conditions set forth in Sections 5.3(a) or 5.3(b) would not reasonably be expected to be satisfied, and such breach or failure to comply is incapable of being cured by the Outside Date; provided, however, that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) if the Company is in breach or violation of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement;

(e)    the Company may terminate this Agreement following January 3, 2019, if (i) the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before the Outside Date; (ii) all of the conditions to Closing set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature would be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to such conditions’ being satisfied assuming a Closing would occur); (iii) all of the conditions set forth in Section 5.3 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing, each of which is then capable of being satisfied at a Closing on such date, and other than by virtue of Parent’s failing to effect the Closing) or the Company has confirmed by irrevocable written notice to Parent that it is willing to waive any unsatisfied conditions in Section 5.3 and that the Company stands, and will stand, ready, willing, and able to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has irrevocably confirmed the same in writing to Parent; and (iv) Parent fails to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement within four (4) Business Days of the delivery of the notice referred to in clause (iii) as a result of the failure of all, or any portion of, the Debt Financing to be funded at Closing for any reason and the Company stood ready, willing and able to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement through the end of such period of four (4) Business Days;

(f)    by Parent if the Written Consent shall not have been obtained and become effective by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date of this Agreement.

 

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6.2    Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to this Article 6, this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and there will be no Liability or obligation on the part of the Company, any of the Sellers, the Stockholder Representative, Parent, Acquisition Corp, or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees, agents or other representatives or Affiliates, except that the provisions of this Section 6.2, Section 6.3, Article 9 (other than Section 9.17) and the Non-Disclosure Agreement will continue to survive following any such termination. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1(c) or Section 6.1(d), the Company will remain liable to the Parent, and the Parent will remain liable to the Company, for Fraud or for any willful breach of a covenant contained in this Agreement by such Party existing at the time of such termination.

6.3    Termination Fee.

(a)    If (i) this Agreement is validly terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 6.1(e), then Parent shall, within three (3) Business Days of any such termination, pay (or cause to be paid) the Termination Fee by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company.

(b)    The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the provisions contained in this Section 6.3 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and are included herein in order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement and to reimburse the Company for incurring the costs and expenses related to entering into this Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (ii) any amounts payable pursuant to Section 6.3(a) are a reasonable approximation of the Company’s damages and do not constitute a penalty. The Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that, if the Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 6.3(a), (A) receipt of the Termination Fee shall be the sole and exclusive remedy (whether at law, equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise) of the Company, its Subsidiaries, the Sellers and each of their Affiliates against Parent, Acquisition Corp., the Debt Financing Sources or any of their respective Affiliates or any of the former, current, or future general or limited partners, stockholders or equityholders, managers, members, directors, officers, employees, trustees, representatives or agents or any former, current or future general or limited partner, direct or indirect stockholder or equityholder, manager, member, director, officer, employee, trustee, Affiliate, representative or agent of any of the foregoing (collectively, “Parent’s Related Parties”) in connection with the termination of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (B) under no circumstances shall any of the Company, its Subsidiaries, the Sellers or any of their Affiliates be entitled to collect the Termination Fee on more than one occasion; and (C) except for the payment by Parent of the Termination Fee, in no event shall Parent’s Related Parties be subject to (nor shall any of the Company, its Subsidiaries, the Sellers or any of their Affiliates seek to recover) Liability relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Debt Commitment Letter (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Debt Financing), any breach of this Agreement or the Debt Commitment Letter, or any failure of such transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Debt Commitment Letter to be consummated, in each case, whether based on contract, tort or strict liability or otherwise.

 

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ARTICLE 7

CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS

7.1    Books and Records. For a period of seven (7) years from the Closing, the Surviving Corporation shall, and the Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, provide to the Sellers and their representatives access to the books and records of the Surviving Corporation upon reasonable advance written notice during regular business hours for the purpose of obtaining information and will permit the Sellers and their representatives (at the applicable Seller’s sole cost and expense) to make such copies of any such information.

7.2    Director and Officer Liability.

(a)    The Parent agrees to cause the Surviving Corporation to ensure, and the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Closing shall ensure, that all rights to indemnification now existing in favor of any individual who, at or prior to the Closing Date, was entitled to indemnification pursuant to the organizational documents and those indemnification agreements to which the Surviving Corporation will be a party identified on Section 7.2(a) of the Disclosure Schedule (collectively, with such individual’s heirs, executors or administrators, the “Indemnified Persons”) shall survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect for a period of not less than six (6) years from the Closing Date and indemnification agreements and the provisions with respect to indemnification and limitations on liability set forth in such organizational documents shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified; provided that in the event any claim or claims are asserted or made within such six (6) year period, all rights to indemnification in respect of any such claim or claims shall continue until final disposition of any and all such claims. Neither the Parent nor the Surviving Corporation shall settle, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any Action or threatened Action without the written consent of such Indemnified Person; provided, however, that no consent of such Indemnified Person shall be required for any settlement involving no obligation of such Indemnified Person other than the payment of money and such Indemnified Person is indemnified by Parent or an Affiliate thereof (including the Surviving Corporation) from and against such amounts; provided, further, that neither Parent nor any of its Affiliates (including the Surviving Corporation) shall be liable for any settlement effected by the Indemnified Person without such party’s written consent.

(b)    At the Closing, the Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to purchase, and the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Closing shall purchase (at the sole cost and expense of Parent) and maintain in effect for a period of six (6) years thereafter, a tail policy to the current policy of directors’, managers’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Company, which tail policy shall be effective for a period from the Closing through and including the date six (6) years after the Closing Date with respect to claims arising from facts or events that occurred on or before the Closing, and which tail policy shall contain substantially the same coverage and amounts as, and contain terms and conditions no less advantageous than, in the aggregate, the coverage currently provided by such policy; provided, however, that if the premium for such coverage exceeds three hundred (300%) percent of the annual premium currently paid by or on behalf of the Company for its existing policy of directors’, managers’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect as to the date hereof, Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall be required to obtain only the coverage available under such tail policy for such premium amount equal to three hundred (300%) percent of the annual premium currently paid by or on behalf of the Company for its existing policy and no greater coverage.

 

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(c)    Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the obligations of the Parent and the Surviving Corporation contained in this Section 7.2 shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Parent and the Surviving Corporation. In the event the Parent, the Surviving Corporation, or any of their respective successors or assigns, (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its assets and properties to any Person, then, and in each case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Parent or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, honor the indemnification and other obligations set forth in this Section 7.2. The obligations of the Parent or the Surviving Corporation under this Section 7.2 shall survive the Closing and shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to affect adversely any Indemnified Person to whom this Section 7.2 applies without the consent of such affected Indemnified Person (it being expressly agreed that the Indemnified Persons to whom this Section 7.2 applies shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Section 7.2, each of whom may enforce the provisions of this Section 7.2).

7.3    Further Assurance. Each of the Parties agrees that in the event after the Closing Date any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, each such Party will take such further action (including the execution and delivery of such further instruments and documents) as any other Party reasonably may request, at the sole cost and expense of the requesting Party.

7.4    Surviving Corporation as a Covenanting Party. To the extent the Surviving Corporation is obligated to perform any covenant or agreement as provided herein after the Closing, the Parent shall direct Surviving Corporation to fully comply with such covenant or agreement.

ARTICLE 8

DEFINED TERMS

8.1    Previously Defined Terms. Each term defined in the first paragraph and Recitals shall have the meaning set forth above whenever used herein, unless otherwise expressly provided.

8.2    Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 8.2 unless otherwise expressly provided:

280G Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15.

Accounting Expert” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(c)(ii).

Acquisition Engagement” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.11.

Action” means any claim (including any counterclaim), charge, action, suit, audit, complaint, investigation, examination, inquiry, petition, subpoena, discovery, request, arbitration or other proceeding, hearing or investigation, whether civil, criminal, or administrative, at law or in equity, by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority.

 

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Actual Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(b).

Actual Transaction Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(b).

Additional Per Share Merger Consideration” means an amount equal to (a) the Aggregate Additional Merger Consideration divided by (b) the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding.

Advisory Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.16(c).

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person who directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlled” and “controlling” have meanings correlative thereto.

Aggregate Additional Merger Consideration” means a portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration equal to the sum of the following amounts, in each case, if any, due and payable to the Sellers, in each case in accordance the terms of this Agreement: (i) the aggregate amount due and payable to the Sellers out of the Expense Reserve Account and (ii) the aggregate amount due and payable to the Sellers out of the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds and the aggregate amount due and payable to the Sellers by Parent, in each case, pursuant to Section 1.11(d), without duplication.

Aggregate Common Stock Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(a)(i).

Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration” means an amount equal to the sum of the following: (a) the Aggregate Merger Consideration; minus (b) the Expense Reserve Amount; minus (c) the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Amount.

Aggregate Merger Consideration” means an amount equal to the sum of (a) $245,000,000, plus (b) the sum of (i) Estimated Company Cash, plus (ii) the amount by which Estimated Net Working Capital exceeds Target Working Capital or minus (iii) the amount by which Estimated Net Working Capital is less than Target Working Capital, minus (iv) Estimated Indebtedness, minus (v) Estimated Transaction Expenses, as such amounts in clauses (i) through (v) are adjusted pursuant to Section 1.11(a) and Section 1.11(b); plus (c) the aggregate sum of exercise prices payable in respect of all In-the-Money Stock Options.

Aggregate Preferred Stock Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(a)(ii).

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Allocation Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(d).

Alternative Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(b).

 

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Ancillary Agreements” means the Restrictive Covenant Agreements, each Support Agreement, the Letter of Transmittal, the Paying Agent Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, and each other deed, assignment, certificate, or other instrument of assignment or conveyance delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Anti-Bribery Laws” means (a) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, (b) the UK Bribery Act 2010, (c) any other Law of a country that is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that relates to bribery, corruption or money laundering, and (d) any applicable Law of any other country that relates to bribery, corruption or money laundering.

Antitrust Laws” means the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, and all other foreign or domestic Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization, restraint of trade or lessening of competition.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Business” means providing business-to-business research, measurement, benchmarks, and advisory services to sales, product, and marketing executives and their respective teams by providing clients with access to subject matter experts (analysts or consultants) on industry best practices within sales, marketing, and product disciplines and access to proprietary published research for such disciplines.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by Law to be closed.

CBA” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.17(b).

Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(v).

Certificate of Incorporation” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.

Certificate of Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2.

Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2.

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2.

Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(b).

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute.

Common Stock Deemed Outstanding” means the sum of (a) the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (but excluding any shares of Common Stock owned by Parent as of such time or to be cancelled pursuant to Section 1.5(c)) plus (b) the total number of shares of Common Stock that would be

 

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issuable upon conversion of all shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, in each case in accordance with the Company Charter (but excluding any shares of Preferred Stock owned by Parent as of such time or to be cancelled pursuant to Section 1.5(c)) plus (c) the total number of shares of Common Stock that would be issued upon exercise in full of all In-the-Money Stock Options, assuming such exercise immediately prior to the Effective Time on a cash basis, not a net exercise or other cashless basis.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Company Board” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Company Capital Stock” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Company Cash” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, plus petty cash, plus the amount of any checks or wire transfers held for the benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries but not yet cleared, less the amount of any checks or wire transfers initiated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries but not yet cleared to the extent there is a corresponding reduction in the current liability on account thereof, in each case, as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, “Company Cash” shall not include any security deposits relating to Leases or any amounts that are not freely usable because and to the extent they are subject to Taxes or other restrictions on use or distribution pursuant to Law, Contract or otherwise, including restrictions on the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions, repatriation to the United States or similar restrictions.

Company Charter” means the certificate of incorporation of the Company as in effect on the date hereof.

Company Group Employee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13(a).

Company Incentive Plans” means (i) the Company’s 2005 Stock Option Plan dated April 1, 2005 and (ii) the Company’s 2012 Stock Incentive Plan dated January 1, 2012, as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 thereto.

Continuing Employee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13(a).

Contract” means any written or oral agreement, contract, instrument, commitment, lease, guaranty, indenture, note, license or other arrangement or understanding between parties or by one party in favor of another party or parties.

Debt Commitment Letter” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(a).

Debt Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(b).

Debt Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(a).

 

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Debt Financing Sources” means the Persons, including the Initial Lender, that have committed to provide any of the Debt Financing or have otherwise entered into agreements (including the Debt Commitment Letter, the definitive documentation contemplated thereby or any joinder agreement or credit agreement pursuant thereto) in connection with the Debt Financing, including the lenders, agents and arrangers, together with their respective Affiliates, and any of their or their Affiliates’ respective, direct or indirect, former, current or future equityholders, managers, members, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, other representatives, successors or assignees.

DGCL” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Disclosure Schedule” means the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to the Parent on the date hereof, as thereafter modified, supplemented or amended in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.6.

Dispute Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(c)(ii).

Dissenting Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.10(a).

DLA Piper” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.11.

Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2.

Employee” or “Employees” means any current or former employee, officer, or director of the Company.

Employee Benefit Plan” means (i) any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in ERISA §3(3), whether or not subject to ERISA) and any other material employee benefit plan, program or arrangement that is maintained or contributed to by the Company or an ERISA Affiliate in respect of or for the benefit of any employee of the Company or any Affiliate and (ii) each deferred compensation, bonus, incentive compensation, equity or equity-based, incentive plan, program or agreement and each employment, retention, severance, change in control or similar agreement to which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party (excluding offer letters for “at-will” employment that do not contain severance).

Employee Pension Benefit Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan that is a plan described in ERISA §3(2).

Encumbrance” means any mortgage, pledge, option, lien, statutory lien, encumbrance, charge, deed of trust, easement, right of way, covenant, lease, sublease, restriction, claim or other security interest.

Environmental Law” means any Law relating to human health, safety, natural resources or the environment, or the pollution, protection or cleanup of the environment, including those relating to the treatment, storage, disposal, handling, transportation, discharge, emission or release of Hazardous Substances or the protection of harm to worker health and safety.

Environmental Permits” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.19(a).

 

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ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business, whether or not incorporated, that together with the Company would be deemed a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 4001(b) of ERISA.

Escrow Agent” means Delaware Trust Company.

Escrow Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.15.

Estimated Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(a).

Estimated Company Cash” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(a).

Estimated Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(a).

Estimated Net Working Capital” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(a).

Estimated Transaction Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(a).

Existing Credit Agreement” means the Loan and Security Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment and Waiver to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 20, 2017, by and between Comerica Bank and the Company.

Expense Reserve Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.16(c).

Expense Reserve Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.16(c).

FCPA” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24.

Final Adjustment Amount” means an amount, which may be positive or negative, equal to (a) Final Company Cash minus Estimated Company Cash; plus (b) Final Net Working Capital minus Estimated Net Working Capital, minus (c) the Final Indebtedness minus the Estimated Indebtedness, minus (d) the Final Transaction Expenses minus the Estimated Transaction Expenses. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount obtained in each of clauses (a) through (d) may be positive or negative.

Final Company Cash” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(c)(i).

Final Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(c)(i).

Final Net Working Capital” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(c)(i).

Final Transaction Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.11(c)(i).

Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(a).

Financing Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).

 

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Founder Proceeds Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.12.

Founder Proceeds Recipients” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.12.

Founder Stockholders” means each of (a) Richard E. Eldh, Jr., individually, (b) Joyce C. Eldh, as Trustee of the Richard E. Eldh, Jr. Irrevocable Trust under the Richard E. Eldh, Jr. Irrevocable Trust Agreement, dated December 27, 2012, (c) John J. Neeson, individually, and (d) Tracy L. Neeson, as Trustee of the Neeson 2012 Irrevocable Family Trust under the Neeson 2012 Irrevocable Family Trust Agreement, dated December 31, 2012.

Fraud” means fraud under the Laws of the State of Delaware with respect to the matters set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

Fundamental Representations” means, with respect to the Company the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.5(a), 2.5(b), 2.5(d), and 2.26, and, with respect to Parent, the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.7.

GAAP” means Generally Accepted Accounting Principles of the United States as in effect for the date or for the period with respect to which such principles are applied.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any foreign country or any state or political subdivision thereof and any entity, agency, bureau, department, board, court, commission, tribunal, Taxing Authority, body or authority exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including quasi-governmental entities established to perform such functions.

Hazardous Substance” means any hazardous, radioactive or toxic substance, chemical, pollutant, contaminant, emission or waste which is regulated by any local, state, federal or foreign authority due to its dangerous or deleterious properties or characteristics. Hazardous Substances include, but are not limited to, anything which is: (i) defined as a “pollutant” pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1362(6); (ii) defined as a “hazardous waste” pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 692l; (iii) defined as a “regulated substance” pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 6991; (iv) defined as a “hazardous substance” pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 9601(14); (v) defined as a “pollutant or contaminant” pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 9601(33); (vi) defined as “hazardous material” pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 5102; (vii) petroleum; (viii) asbestos; and (ix) polychlorinated biphenyls.

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) any indebtedness of such Person that, in accordance with GAAP, would be required to be shown as indebtedness for borrowed money on the face of a balance sheet; (b) any indebtedness evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or other debt security, whether secured or unsecured; (c) indebtedness of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) above guaranteed, directly or indirectly, in any manner by such Person; (d) any obligation under any lease required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP; (e) any obligation under any currency or interest rate swap, hedge or similar agreement or arrangement; (f) any obligation secured by an Encumbrance on a Person’s assets, other than Permitted Encumbrances; (g) the drawn portion of any letter of credit arrangements; (h) any

 

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accrued interest on and any fees or other payment obligations arising under any of the foregoing; (i) any prepayment, make-whole, breakage or other similar fees, expenses or penalties on or relating to the repayment or assumption of any of the foregoing; (j) earned but unpaid deferred compensation or termination, severance, retiree or similar obligations in respect of current and former officers and employees; (k) the items set forth on Schedule II hereto; and (l) Tax liabilities accrued in accordance with GAAP as of the Closing Date. Indebtedness shall not include (w) any payment of the Founder Proceeds Amount to Founder Proceeds Recipients, (x) undrawn letters of credit and surety bonds, (y) deferred rent, or (z) current trade liabilities and accrued current expenses in each case to the extent included in the calculation of Net Working Capital or Transaction Expenses.

Indemnified Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).

Initial Lender” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(a).

Initial Per Share Merger Consideration” means an amount equal to (a) the Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration divided by (b) the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding.

In-the-Money Stock Option” means any Stock Option with an exercise price that is less than the Initial Per Share Merger Consideration, determined as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided that, with respect to any such Stock Option that is, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, after giving effect to the actions required pursuant to the first sentence of Section 1.7(a), not yet fully vested and exercisable (taking into account any acceleration of vesting to become effective as of the Effective Time), the portion of such Stock Option that is not yet vested and exercisable shall not constitute an In-the-Money Stock Option.

In-the-Money Optionholder” means a holder of any In-the-Money Stock Options.

Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property and industrial property rights and rights in confidential information of every kind and description throughout the world, including all U.S. and foreign: (a) patents, patent applications, patent disclosures and all related continuations, divisionals, continuations in part, reissues, reexaminations, substitutions and extensions thereof, and all utility models, certificates of invention, industrial designs, and design patents; (b) registered and unregistered trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, and all registrations and applications therefor including all extensions, modifications, and renewals of same; (c) registered and unregistered copyrights in both published and unpublished works and all moral rights, and applications for registration and registrations thereof; (d) Internet domain names and registration rights, uniform resource locators, internet or worldwide web sites or protocol addresses, and all related content and programming; (e) rights in Software; and (f) trade secrets know-how, recipes, product specifications and formulations, inventions, proprietary processes, formulae, models, and methodologies or any other proprietary or confidential information.

Intellectual Property Licenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a).

 

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International Trade Laws” means all applicable Laws concerning the import, export, re-export, deemed export, deemed re-export, or transfer of products, services, technical data, software and/or technology, including the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, the Export Administration Act, the Export Control Reform Act of 2018, the Arms Export Control Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act, and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and related regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and any other export control Laws administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority; applicable economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority, including those Laws and Executive Orders of the U.S. President administered or enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, the Treasury of the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction in which the Company operates or conducts its business; the anti-boycott regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the anti-boycott regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury; the Foreign Trade Regulations administered by the United States Census Bureau.

IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Knowledge” has the meaning set forth on Schedule IV attached hereto.

Law” means any law, statute, code, regulation, ordinance, rule, regulation, Order, or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated, entered into, agreed, imposed or enforced by any Governmental Authority, including common law.

Leakage” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.17(b).

Leased Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b).

Leases” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b).

Letter of Transmittal” shall mean a letter of transmittal, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, delivered to the Company by a Stockholder.

Liability” means any obligation or liability of any kind, whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated or due or to become due.

Licensed Intellectual Property” means any and all Intellectual Property that is licensed or for which rights are otherwise granted to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Loan and Security Agreement” means that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016, by and between Comerica Bank and SiriusDecisions, Inc.

Loss” or “Losses” means, with respect to any Person, any Liability, loss, damage, deficiency, Tax, penalty, fine, interest, amounts paid in connection with any claim or Action, amounts paid in settlement, costs (including court costs) and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ and other professionals’ fees and disbursements and other amounts paid or incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, defending the foregoing or in connection with the enforcement of rights to recover Losses) or other loss or expense, whether or not arising out of a third party claim, against or affecting such Person, other than special, punitive or exemplary damages (except to the extent actually awarded to a third party pursuant to a third party claim).

 

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Made Available” means, with respect to documents, books, records, reports or other written materials, that such items were either (i) delivered by mail (including electronic mail) or overnight delivery service to an officer of Parent or the legal counsel or accountants representing Parent in connection with this Agreement or (ii) posted in the Merrill Datasite One online data room known as “Project Supernova,” in each case, not later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 24, 2018.

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance, change, occurrence, development, or effect that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, circumstances, changes, occurrences or effects, (a) is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the assets, liabilities, business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise), or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) materially and adversely affects the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that none of the following shall be deemed to constitute, and none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Material Adverse Effect: any adverse event, circumstance, change, occurrence, development, or effect arising from or relating to: (i) general business or economic conditions or in the industry in which the Company operates, (ii) national or international political or social conditions, including the engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military or terrorist attack upon the United States, or any of its territories, possessions, or diplomatic or consular offices or upon any military installation, equipment or personnel of the United States, (iii) financial, banking, or securities markets (including the disruption thereof), (iv) changes in GAAP or the interpretation thereof (it being understood that this clause (iv) shall not apply with respect to a representation or warranty contained in this Agreement to the extent that the purpose of such representation or warranty is to address compliance with GAAP), (v) changes in Laws, including a change in the interpretations or enforcement thereof (it being understood that this clause (v) shall not apply with respect to a representation or warranty contained in this Agreement to the extent that the purpose of such representation or warranty is to address compliance with Laws), (vi) the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the identity or business plans of the Parent or its Affiliates, or the announcement of the transactions contemplated hereby, including any impact thereof on relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors, co-packers or employees (it being understood that this clause (vi) does not apply with respect to a representation or warranty contained in this Agreement to the extent that the purpose of such representation or warranty is to address the consequences arising from the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the performance of obligations under this Agreement), (vii) the taking of any action expressly required to be taken by the Company pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, or (viii) any failure of the Company to meet any projections, forecasts, estimates or financial or operational predictions (although, subject to the other provisions of this definition, the underlying cause of such failure shall not be excluded), so long as, except for clauses (vi) and (vii), such events, circumstances, changes, occurrences or effects do not adversely affect the Company or its Subsidiary in a materially disproportionate manner relative to similarly situated participants in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate.

 

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Material Company Intellectual Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a).

Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13.

Material Permits” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Measurement Time” means 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the day prior to the Closing Date.

Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.

Minimum Company Cash Threshold” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(d).

Most Recent Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(a).

Multiemployer Plan” has the meaning set forth in ERISA §3(37).

Net Working Capital” means the aggregate value of the current assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (excluding Company Cash and any current or deferred Tax assets), less the aggregate value of the current liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries (excluding current or deferred Tax liabilities, Transaction Expenses, Indebtedness and the Founder Proceeds Amount payable to Founder Proceeds Recipients), in each case, determined as of the Year-End Measurement Time without taking into account any of the transactions to be completed on the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in each case as set forth on Schedule III attached hereto. The calculation of Net Working Capital will be determined in accordance with GAAP consistent with past practices consistently applied and in a manner consistent with Schedule III attached hereto.

Non-Disclosure Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.

Non-Recourse Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.18.

Open Source Software” means any Software that is licensed, distributed, or conveyed as “open source software,” “free software,” “copyleft,” or under a similar licensing or distribution model, or under a Contract that requires as a condition of its use, modification, or distribution that it, or other Software into which such Software is incorporated, integrated, or with which such Software is combined or distributed, or that is derived from or linked to such Software, be disclosed or distributed in source code form, delivered at no charge, or be licensed, distributed, or conveyed under the terms as such Contract or other specified terms (including Software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), Mozilla Public License (MPL), BSD licenses, Microsoft Shared Source License, Common Public License, Artistic License, Netscape Public License, Sun Community Source License (SCSL), Sun Industry Standards License (SISL), Apache License, and any license listed at www.opensource.org).

 

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Option Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.7.

Order” means any decree, ruling, order, judgment, writ, award, assessment, injunction, stipulation or consent of or by, or settlement agreement with, a Governmental Authority.

Ordinary Course” means the ordinary course of business of the Company, consistent with past practice and custom (including with respect to quantity and frequency).

Outside Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b).

Owned Intellectual Property” means any and all Intellectual Property that is owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Parent” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Parent’s Related Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(b).

Party” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Payment Fund” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(vi).

Paying Agent” means Delaware Trust Company.

Paying Agent Agreement” means that certain Paying Agent Agreement to be entered into at the Closing by and among Parent, the Company, the Stockholder Representative, and the Paying Agent.

Payoff Letter” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.9.

Permitted Encumbrances” means (a) Encumbrances for Taxes not yet delinquent or Encumbrances for Taxes that the taxpayer is contesting in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (b) statutory Encumbrances, including Encumbrances of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, laborers, materialmen, consignees of inventory, arising in the Ordinary Course by operation of Law with respect to a Liability that is not yet due or delinquent and not payable as of the Closing Date, (c) purchase money Encumbrances and Encumbrances securing rental payments under capital lease obligations arising in the Ordinary Course, (d) zoning, building codes and other land use regulations imposed by any Governmental Authority which are not violated by the current use or occupancy of any Leased Real Property or the operation of the Business thereon, (e) such rights, if any, of any utility company to construct and/or maintain lines, pipes, wires, cables, poles, conduits and distribution boxes and equipment in, over, under, and/or upon any portion of the Leased Real Property which rights do not or would not materially impair the use or occupancy of any Leased Real Property in the operation of the Business conducted thereon, (f) defects or imperfections of title, easements, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions and other similar matters of record, all of which do not materially impair the use or occupancy of the Leased Real Property or other assets in the operation of the Business by the Company, and (g) Encumbrances resulting from any actions of the Parent or any of its Affiliates.

 

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Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint stock company, unincorporated organization or association, trust, joint venture, association or other organization, whether or not a legal entity or Governmental Authority.

Potential 280G Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15.

Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Pro Rata Share” means, with respect to each Seller, a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding held by such Seller as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Amount” means $3,000,000.

Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds” means the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Amount, together with all interest accruing thereto, in the segregated account established by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

Related Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.17(b)(i).

Restrictive Covenant Agreements” means, collectively, those Restrictive Covenant Agreements that have been separately negotiated and agreed to by Parent and each of Richard E. Eldh, John J. Neeson, Anthony Jaros, and JMI Equity Fund VII, L.P.

R&W Insurance Policy” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Sellers” means the Stockholders and holders of In-the-Money Stock Options.

Software” means computer programs of any type or form (whether in source code, object code, or other form), and any portion thereof, including algorithms, databases, compilations, and data, code, scripts, applets, engines, generators, and macros, and related programmers’ comments, data files and structures, header and include files, macros, object libraries, programming tools not commercially available, technical specifications, flowcharts, and logic diagrams, schematics, annotations, and all technology supporting the foregoing, and all documentation, including user manuals and training materials, related to any of the foregoing.

Stockholder Representative” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.16(c).

Stockholder Representative Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.16(c).

Stockholders” means the holders of Company Capital Stock.

 

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Stockholders Agreements” means, collectively, (i) that certain Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2013, by and among the Company and certain Stockholders from time to time party thereto, as may be amended from time to time; (ii) that certain Voting Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2013, by and among the Company and certain Stockholders from time to time party thereto, as may be amended from time to time; (iii) that certain Investors’ Rights Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2013, by and among the Company and certain Stockholders from time to time party thereto, as may be amended from time to time; and (iv) that certain Amended and Restated Founders’ Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2013, by and among the Company and the Founders (as defined therein).

Stock Option” means any compensatory option to purchase shares of Company Capital Stock that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which: (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity, either (A) a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (B) such Person is a general partner, managing member or managing director of such partnership, limited liability company, association or other entity.

Support Agreement” means a Support Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, the Seller named therein, and the Parent.

Surviving Corporation” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.

Target Company” means the Company and each of its Subsidiaries.

Target Net Working Capital” means negative Eighteen Million One Hundred Forty Eight Thousand Dollars (-$18,148,000).

Tax Authority” means a Governmental Authority responsible for the assessment, administration, imposition, enforcement, determination or collection of any Tax.

Tax Return” means any return, declaration, certificate, bill, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement (including declaration of estimated Taxes) relating to Taxes, including any schedule, supplement, appendix or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

Tax Sharing Agreement” means any Tax sharing, Tax indemnity, Tax allocation or similar agreement or Contract, excluding ancillary provisions in commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of any Target Company’s business for the (i) purchase or rental of goods, (ii) provision of services, (iii) borrowing of money, or (iv) rental of real property.

 

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Taxes” means all taxes, charges, fees, duties (including custom duties), levies, or other assessments in the nature of taxes, including net income, gross income, capital gains, gross receipts, net receipts, gross proceeds, net proceeds, ad valorem, profits, real property, personal property (whether tangible or intangible), gaming, sales, use, franchise, capital, excise, estimated, value added, stamp, lease, transfer, occupational, equalization, license, payroll, employment, environmental, disability, severance, withholding, unemployment, escheat, unclaimed property, or other taxes, charges, or fees assessed by any Tax Authority (whether payable directly or by withholding, and including any tax Liability incurred as a transferee or successor or by Contract or otherwise), including any interest and penalties attributable thereto and imposed by any Tax Authority.

Termination Fee” means $9,800,000.

Transaction Expenses” means, to the extent unpaid as of immediately preceding the Closing, (a) any and all legal, accounting, consulting, investment banking, financial advisory, and other out-of-pocket fees and expenses payable by the Company in connection with this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, (b) any amounts payable by the Company to any Person as of the Closing Date, including management, directors or employees of the Company, in connection with, or conditioned on, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including (i) retention payments, change of control payments, deferred compensation, stay bonuses, sale bonuses, transaction bonuses, or other bonuses (but excluding any payment of the Founder Proceeds Amount), severance payments, and applicable withholding Taxes associated therewith accrued as of the Closing Date (including the employer portion of any payroll, social security, unemployment or similar Taxes accrued as of the Closing Date) and (ii) the employer portion of any payroll, social security, unemployment or similar Taxes accrued as of the Closing Date with respect to the payment of any Stock Options pursuant to Section 1.7); (c) any amounts payable by the Company to the Stockholder Representative or its Affiliates as of the Closing Date; and (d) one half of all costs and expenses relating to the R&W Insurance Policy pursuant to Section 4.12; and (e) the additional annual fee charged by the Paying Agent (not to exceed $2,000).

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended from time to time (including any successor regulations).

UKBA” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24.

Waived Benefits” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15.

Written Consent” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Year-End Measurement Time” means (i) 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 31, 2018, if the Closing Date occurs on or prior to January 4, 2019; and (ii) 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the day prior to the Closing Date if the Closing Date occurs on or after January 5, 2019.

8.3    Interpretation. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any

 

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of the provisions of this Agreement. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof. Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (a) words of any gender shall be deemed to include each other gender, (b) words using the singular or plural number shall also include the plural or singular number, respectively, (c) references to “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby” and similar terms shall refer to this entire Agreement, (d) all references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall mean and refer to Articles, Sections and Exhibits of this Agreement, (e) all references to statutes and related regulations shall include all amendments of the same and any successor or replacement statutes and regulations, (f) references to any Person shall be deemed to mean and include the successors and permitted assigns of such Person (or, in the case of a Governmental Authority, Persons succeeding to the relevant functions of such Person), (g) the word “including” means “including, without limitation,” (h) references to a number of days refer to calendar days, unless such reference is specifically to “Business Days,” and if any action under this Agreement is required to be done or taken on a day that is not a Business Day, then such action shall be required to be done or taken not on such day but on the first succeeding Business Day thereafter, and (i) references to ‘writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form.

ARTICLE 9

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1    Cost and Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties hereto shall be solely responsible for and shall bear all of its own costs and expenses incident to its obligations under and in respect of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including any such costs and expenses incurred by any party hereto in connection with the negotiation, preparation and performance of and compliance with the terms of this Agreement (including the fees and expenses of legal counsel, accountants, investment bankers or other representatives and consultants), regardless of whether the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated; provided, however, that (i) all costs and expenses of retaining the Paying Agent shall be paid by Parent; provided that the Sellers shall be responsible for the additional annual fee charged by the Payment (not to exceed $2,000), which amount shall be a Transaction Expense; (ii) all costs and expenses of retaining the Escrow Agent shall be paid by Parent; (iii) all filing fees in connection with the HSR Filing, shall be paid by Parent; (iv) all costs associated with obtaining the R&W Insurance Policy (including any premium, broker fee, underwriting fee, due diligence fee, carrier commissions, legal fees for counsel engaged by the underwriter and surplus lines taxes and fees) shall be shared equally by the Company and Parent; and (v) all costs associated with obtaining the directors’, managers’ and officers’ liability insurance policy (including any premium, broker fee, underwriting fee, due diligence fee, carrier commissions, legal fees for counsel engaged by the underwriter and surplus lines taxes and fees) pursuant to Section 7.2 shall be paid by Parent; provided, further, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, it is understood and agreed that if the Closing is consummated all Transaction Expenses will be borne by the Sellers by virtue of the reduction in the Aggregate Merger Consideration as provided in the definition thereof or by virtue of an adjustment pursuant to Section 1.11. As a result of such reduction or adjustments, the Surviving Corporation shall pay the Transaction Expenses at or after the Closing.

 

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9.2    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Exhibits, the Disclosure Schedule and the Ancillary Agreements contain the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder, and supersede all negotiations, representations, warranties, commitments, offers, contracts and writings prior to the date hereof with respect to such transactions.

9.3    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which, together, shall constitute one and the same instrument. A copy transmitted via facsimile, pdf or e-mail of this Agreement, bearing the signature of any Party shall be deemed to be of the same legal force and effect as an original of this Agreement bearing such signature as originally written by such Party.

9.4    Assignment, Successors and Assigns. The respective rights and obligations of the Parties shall not be assignable without the prior written consent of the other Parties. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

9.5    Savings Clause. If any provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction or as a result of future legislative action, such holding or action shall be strictly construed and shall not affect the validity or effect of any other provision hereof.

9.6    Headings. The captions of the various Articles and Sections of this Agreement have been inserted only for convenience of reference and shall not be deemed to modify, explain, enlarge or restrict any of the provisions of this Agreement.

9.7    Governing Law. The validity, interpretation and effect of this Agreement shall be governed exclusively by the Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the “conflict of laws” rules thereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the Parties agrees on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries that it and its Subsidiaries will not bring or support any legal action or proceeding, whether in Law or in equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise against the Debt Financing Sources and their respective current, former or future directors, officers, general or limited partners, stockholders, members, managers, controlling persons, Affiliates, employees or advisors in any way relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the Debt Financing or the performance thereof, in any forum other than the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in any state court located in the City and County of New York.

9.8    US Dollars. All amounts expressed in this Agreement and all payments required by this Agreement are in United States Dollars.

 

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9.9    Notices.

(a)    All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered in person, or sent by facsimile or electronic mail or sent by reputable overnight delivery service and properly addressed as follows; provided that with respect to notices delivered to the Stockholder Representative, such notices must be delivered solely via facsimile or via electronic mail:

 

If to the Parent or to the    Forrester Research, Inc.
Surviving Corporation after the    60 Acorn Park Drive
Closing to:    Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
   Telephone:    (617) 613-6223
   Fax:    (617) 613-5223
   E-mail:    rdarrah@forrester.com
   Attention:    Ryan Darrah
With a copy (which shall not    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
constitute notice) to:    920 N. King Street
   Wilmington, Delaware 19801
   Telephone:    (302) 651-3045
   Fax:    (302) 434-3045
   E-mail:    Faiz.Ahmad@skadden.com
   Attention:    Faiz Ahmad, Esq.
   Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
   500 Boylston Street
   Boston, Massachusetts 02116
   Telephone:    (617) 573-4859
   Fax:    (617) 305-4859
   E-mail:    Margaret.Cohen@skadden.com
   Attention:    Margaret R. Cohen, Esq.
If to the Stockholder    Fortis Advisors LLC
Representative or to the    Fax:    (858) 408-1843
Company prior to the Closing    E-mail:    notices@fortisrep.com
to:    Attention: Notice Department
With a copy (which shall not    DLA Piper LLP (US)
constitute notice) to:    33 Arch Street, 26th Floor
   Boston, MA 02110
   Telephone:    (617) 406-6063
   Fax:    (617) 406-6163
   E-mail: francis.feeney@dlapiper.com
   Attention:    Francis J. Feeney, Jr., Esq.

(b)    Any Party may from time to time change its address for the purpose of notices to that Party by a similar notice specifying a new address, but no such change shall be deemed to have been given until it is actually received by the sought to be charged with its contents.

 

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(c)    All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement which are addressed as provided in this Section 9.9, if delivered personally or courier or sent by electronic mail, shall be effective upon delivery; if sent by facsimile, shall be delivered upon receipt of proof of transmission.

9.10    Disclosure Schedule. The Disclosure Schedule constitutes a part of this Agreement and is incorporated into this Agreement for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Any disclosure made in any Section of the Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be disclosure made with respect to all representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement, regardless of whether or not a specific cross-reference is made thereto, to the extent that the relevance of any such disclosure in any other Section is reasonably apparent from the text of such disclosure in such Section of the Disclosure Schedule. Matters reflected in the Disclosure Schedule are not necessarily limited to matters required by this Agreement to be reflected in the Disclosure Schedule. Such additional matters are set forth for informational purposes and do not necessarily include other matters of a similar nature. All references in the Disclosure Schedule to the enforceability of agreements with third parties, the existence or non-existence of third-party rights, the absence of breaches or defaults by third parties, or similar matters or statements, are not intended to be admissions against interests, be admissible against any Party by any Person who is not a Party, or give rise to any claim or benefit to any Person who is not a Party. In addition, the disclosure of any matter in the Disclosure Schedule is not to be deemed an admission that such matter actually constitutes noncompliance with, or a violation of any Law, Order, Material Permit or Contract or other topic to which such disclosure is applicable. The headings contained in the Disclosure Schedule are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to modify or influence the interpretation of the information contained in the Disclosure Schedule or this Agreement.

9.11    Waiver of Conflict.

(a)    Parent, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including, after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation) acknowledges and agrees that DLA Piper LLP (US) (“DLA Piper”) has acted as counsel for the Sellers and the Company in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Acquisition Engagement”), and in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, DLA Piper has not acted as counsel for Parent or any Affiliate thereof.

(b)    Only the Sellers, the Company (prior to the Effective Time) and their respective Affiliates shall be considered clients of DLA Piper in the Acquisition Engagement. Parent, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation) acknowledges and agrees that all confidential communications between the Sellers, the Company and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and DLA Piper, on the other hand, in the course of the Acquisition Engagement, and any attendant attorney-client privilege, attorney work product protection, and expectation of client confidentiality applicable thereto, shall be deemed to belong solely to the Sellers and their Affiliates (other than the Company), and not the Company, and shall not pass to or be claimed, held, or used by the Parent or the Surviving Corporation upon or after the Closing. Accordingly, the Parent shall not have access to any such communications, or to the files of DLA Piper relating to the Acquisition Engagement, whether or not the Closing occurs. Without limiting the generality of the

 

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foregoing, upon and after the Closing, (i) to the extent that files of DLA Piper in respect of the Acquisition Engagement constitute property of the client, only the Sellers and their Affiliates shall hold such property rights and (ii) DLA Piper shall have no duty whatsoever to reveal or disclose any such attorney-client communications or files to the Surviving Corporation or the Parent by reason of any attorney-client relationship between DLA Piper and the Company or otherwise; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, DLA Piper shall not disclose any such attorney-client communications or files to any third parties (other than representatives, accountants and advisors of the Sellers and their Affiliates; provided that such representatives, accounts and advisors are instructed to maintain the confidence of such attorney-client communications). If and to the extent that, at any time subsequent to Closing, the Parent or any of its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation) shall have the right to assert or waive any attorney-client privilege with respect to any communication between the Company or its Affiliates and any Person representing them that occurred at any time prior to the Closing, the Parent, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation) shall be entitled to waive such privilege only with the prior written consent of the Sellers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

(c)    The Parent, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation) acknowledges and agrees that DLA Piper has acted as counsel for one or more of the Sellers, the Company and their respective Affiliates for several years and that the Sellers reasonably anticipate that DLA Piper may continue to represent them and/or their Affiliates in future matters. Accordingly, the Parent, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation) expressly consents to DLA Piper’s representation of the Sellers and/or their Affiliates and/or any of their respective agents (if any of the foregoing Persons so desire) in any post-Closing matter arising from this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement in which the interests of the Parent and the Surviving Corporation, on the one hand, and the Sellers or any of their Affiliates, on the other hand, are adverse.

(d)    The Sellers, the Company and the Parent consent to the arrangements in this Section 9.11 and waive any actual or potential conflict of interest that may be involved in connection with any representation by DLA Piper permitted hereunder.

9.12    SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE.

(a)    EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ANY ISSUE, ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION, SUIT, INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION AGAINST THE DEBT FINANCING SOURCES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THE DEBT FINANCING OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES WITH RESPECT THERETO.

(b)    SUBJECT TO CLAUSE (C) OF THIS SECTION 9.12, THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE DELAWARE COURT OF CHANCERY (OR IF, BUT ONLY IF, THE DELAWARE COURT OF CHANCERY DECLINES TO ACCEPT JURISDICTION, THE SUPERIOR

 

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COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE) OVER ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH DISPUTE OR ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATED THERETO SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH COURTS. THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH THEY MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH DISPUTE BROUGHT IN SUCH COURT OR ANY DEFENSE OF INCONVENIENT FORUM FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH DISPUTE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH DISPUTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. EACH PARTY AGREES TO ACCEPT SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER INITIAL PLEADING MADE IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR THE GIVING OF NOTICES IN SECTION 9.9. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 9.12 HOWEVER, SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO SERVE SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR INITIAL PLEADING IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

(c)    THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK OVER ANY DISPUTE AGAINST THE DEBT FINANCING SOURCES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THE DEBT FINANCING OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES WITH RESPECT THERETO, AND THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREE THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH DISPUTE OR ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATED THERETO SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH COURTS. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH THEY MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH DISPUTE BROUGHT IN SUCH COURT OR ANY DEFENSE OF INCONVENIENT FORUM FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH DISPUTE. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT A JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH DISPUTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.

9.13    Specific Performance. The Parties hereto agree that, if any of the provisions of this Agreement or any other document contemplated by this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached, irreparable damage would occur, no adequate remedy at law would exist and damages would be difficult to determine, and, therefore, the Parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof and thereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or in equity. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Company shall be entitled to specific performance to cause Parent and Acquisition Corp. to effect the Closing if and only if (a) all of the conditions to Closing set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature would be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to

 

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such conditions’ being satisfied assuming a Closing would occur); (b) the Company has irrevocably confirmed in a written notice to Parent that the Company stands ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing if specific performance is granted and the Debt Financing is funded and Parent complies with its obligations to effect the Closing pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, then the Closing would occur, (c) the amounts committed to be funded under the Debt Commitment Letter have been funded or will be funded at the Closing, and (d) Parent fails to consummate the Closing in accordance with Section 1.2. The Parties acknowledge and agree that in no event shall the Company or any Seller be entitled to (i) obtain both specific performance pursuant to this Section 9.13 and the Termination Fee or (ii) seek specific performance after the Termination Fee has been paid in full.

9.14    No Third-Party Beneficiary. This Agreement is being entered into solely for the benefit of the Parties, and, except as otherwise set forth in Section 7.2, the Parties do not intend that any other Person shall be a third-party beneficiary of the covenants by either the Company or the Parent contained in this Agreement.

9.15    Amendments and Waivers. No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Parent and the Stockholder Representative. No waiver by any party of any provision of this Agreement or any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Party making such waiver, nor shall such waiver be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Section 6.2, Section 6.3(b), Section 9.7, Section 9.12(a), Section 9.12(c), this Section 9.15 and Section 9.18 may not be amended, modified, waived or terminated in a manner adverse in any material respect to any Debt Financing Source without the prior written consent of such Debt Financing Source, and the Debt Financing Sources shall be express third party beneficiaries of, and entitled to enforce, such sections.

9.16    Stockholder Representative.

(a)    By the execution and delivery of its respective Letter of Transmittal, each Seller hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Fortis Advisors LLC as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of such Seller with full power of substitution to act jointly in the name, place and stead of the Sellers with respect to the transfer of the shares of Company Capital Stock owned by the Sellers to Parent in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and to act on behalf of the Sellers in any litigation or arbitration involving this Agreement, to do or refrain from doing all such further acts and things, and to execute all such documents as the Stockholder Representative shall deem necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the power to (i) execute and deliver all amendments, waivers, ancillary agreements, stock powers, certificates and documents that the Stockholder Representative deems necessary or appropriate in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) receive funds, make payments of funds, and to withhold a portion of any amounts to be paid to the Sellers hereunder or any other payments to be made pursuant to this Agreement to pay any amounts that the Stockholder Representative has incurred or reasonably expects to incur in connection with the

 

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Sellers’ obligations under this Agreement, including amounts required to pay the fees and expenses of professionals incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) do or refrain from doing any further act or deed on behalf of the Sellers that the Stockholder Representative deems necessary or appropriate in its sole discretion relating to the subject matter of this Agreement as fully and completely as the Sellers could do if personally present, and (iv) receive service of process in connection with any claims under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stockholder Representative shall have no obligation to act on behalf of the Sellers, except as expressly provided herein, in the Paying Agent Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and in the Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement, and for purposes of clarity, there are no obligations of the Stockholder Representative in any ancillary agreement, schedule, exhibit or the Disclosure Schedule. The Stockholder Representative shall be entitled to: (i) rely upon the Allocation Schedule, (ii) rely upon any signature believed by it to be genuine, and (iii) reasonably assume that a signatory has proper authorization to sign on behalf of the applicable Seller or other Party.

(b)    The appointment of the Stockholder Representative and the powers, immunities and rights to indemnification granted to the Stockholder Representative Group hereunder: (i) shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable, and survive the death, incompetence, bankruptcy or liquidation of any Seller and shall be binding on any successor thereto, and (ii) shall survive the delivery of an assignment by any Seller of the whole or any fraction of his, her or its interest in the Purchase Price Adjustment Escrow Funds. Parent and any other Person may conclusively and absolutely rely, without inquiry and without any liability whatsoever, upon any action of the Stockholder Representative in all matters referred to herein. The Sellers hereby confirm all that the Stockholder Representative shall do or cause to be done by virtue of its appointment as the Stockholder Representative of Sellers. All actions taken by the Stockholder Representative under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Paying Agent Agreement, or the Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement shall be binding upon each Seller and such Seller’s successors as if expressly confirmed and ratified in writing by such Seller, and all defenses which may be available to any Seller to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the Stockholder Representative taken in good faith under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Paying Agent Agreement, or the Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement are waived.

(c)    Certain Sellers have entered into an engagement agreement (the “Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement”) with the Stockholder Representative to provide direction to the Stockholder Representative in connection with its services under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Paying Agent Agreement, and the Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement (such Sellers, including their individual representatives, collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Advisory Group”). The Stockholder Representative shall act for all Sellers on all of the matters set forth in this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Paying Agent Agreement, and the Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement in the manner the Stockholder Representative believes to be in the best interest of the Sellers and consistent with the obligations under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Paying Agent Agreement, and the Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement but neither the Stockholder Representative nor its members, managers, directors, officers, contractors, agents and employees nor any member of the Advisory Group (collectively, the “Stockholder Representative Group”) shall be responsible to the Sellers for any losses or damages the Sellers

 

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may suffer by the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Paying Agent Agreement, or the Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement. The Sellers shall fully indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Stockholder Representative Group from and against any losses, claims, liabilities, fees, costs, expenses (including fees, disbursements and costs of counsel and other skilled professionals and in connection with seeking recovery from insurers), judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement or damages (collectively, the “Stockholder Representative Expenses”), other than any such Stockholder Representative Expenses arising from willful violation of any applicable Law or gross negligence in the performance of its duties as the Stockholder Representative under this Agreement. Such Stockholder Representative Expenses may be recovered first, from the Expense Reserve Account, and, second, from the Sellers. The Stockholder Representative may, in all questions arising hereunder, rely on the advice of counsel and other professionals, and for anything done, omitted or suffered in good faith by the Stockholder Representative based on such advice, the Stockholder Representative Group shall not be liable to anyone. The Sellers acknowledge that the Stockholder Representative shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the exercise or performance of any of its powers, rights, duties, or privileges or pursuant to this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Paying Agent Agreement, the Stockholder Representative Engagement Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. Furthermore, the Stockholder Representative shall not be required to take any action unless the Stockholder Representative has been provided with funds, security, or indemnities which, in its determination, are sufficient to protect the Stockholder Representative against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by the Stockholder Representative in performing such actions. The immunities and rights to indemnification shall survive the resignation or removal of the Stockholder Representative or any member of the Advisory Group and the Closing and/or any termination of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.

(d)    An amount equal to $250,000 or such lesser amount determined to be reasonable by the Stockholder Representative (and set forth in a written notice delivered by the Stockholder Representative to the Parent and the Sellers at least three (3) days prior to the Closing Date) (the “Expense Reserve Amount”) shall be deducted from the Aggregate Initial Merger Consideration to be distributed to the Sellers at the Closing, which Expense Reserve Amount shall be maintained by the Stockholder Representative in a segregated account (the “Expense Reserve Account”). The Stockholder Representative is not providing any investment supervision, recommendations or advice and shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss of principal of the Expense Reserve Account other than as a result of its gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Stockholder Representative is not acting as a withholding agent or in any similar capacity in connection with the Expense Reserve Account, and has no tax reporting or income distribution obligations. The Stockholder Representative may withhold additional proceeds from the Transactions from time to time received by it for deposit in the Expense Reserve Account as it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion to ensure that sufficient funds are on deposit therein to satisfy any amounts owed by the Sellers or the Stockholder Representative hereunder. In addition, from time to time upon the request of the Stockholder Representative, each Seller agrees to contribute such Seller’s Pro Rata Share of any additional amount that the Stockholder Representative deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion to deposit into the Expense Reserve Account. The Stockholder Representative may use the funds in the Expense Reserve Account to pay the Stockholder Representative Expenses incurred by the

 

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Stockholder Representative under the authorization granted in Section 9.16(a). Any Expense Reserve Amount remaining after payment of all of the Stockholder Representative’s expenses following the later of (i) the resolution of all adjustments under Section 1.11 hereof and the determination by the Stockholder Representative that such funds are no longer necessary and (ii) the payment of the maximum amount recoverable by the Parent from the Sellers, if any, shall be distributed to the Paying Agent (prior to the date that is twelve (12) months following the Closing Date) or the Surviving Corporation (following the date that is twelve (12) months following the Closing Date) for further distribution to the Sellers, subject to the terms of this Agreement and in accordance with each Seller’s Pro Rata Share, as set forth in the Allocation Schedule. The Stockholder Representative shall hold, invest, reinvest, and disburse the Expense Reserve Account in trust for all of Sellers, and the Expense Reserve Account shall not be used for any other purpose and shall not be available to the Parent to satisfy any claims hereunder. The Sellers will not receive any interest on the Expense Reserve Account and assign to the Stockholder Representative any such interest. Any Stockholder Representative Expense, Liability, or obligation that the Stockholder Representative incurs or pays on behalf of a Seller or group of Sellers shall be promptly reimbursed by the Seller(s) on whose behalf such expenses were paid. In the event any Seller does not promptly reimburse the Stockholder Representative for any such Stockholder Representative Expense, Liability, or obligation, the Stockholder Representative shall have the right to withhold and keep such amount from any payments to be made to such Seller hereunder

(e)    The Stockholder Representative shall promptly notify Parent in the event of its replacement by a successor Stockholder Representative. If the Stockholder Representative shall resign, dissolve, cease to exist or otherwise be unable to fulfill its responsibilities as representative of the Sellers, the Stockholders as of immediately prior to the Effective Time representing a majority of the voting power of all such Capital Stock then outstanding (a “Stockholders Majority”) shall, within ten (10) days after the occurrence of such event, appoint a successor representative and, promptly thereafter, shall notify the Company of the identity of such successor. Any such successor shall become the “Stockholder Representative” for purposes of this Agreement, the Letters of Transmittal and the other documents contemplated hereby and thereby. If for any reason there is no Stockholder Representative at any time, all references herein or in the Letters of Transmittal or the other documents contemplated hereby and thereby to the Stockholder Representative shall be deemed to refer to the Stockholders themselves acting by a vote or written consent of the Stockholders Majority, as applicable.

(f)    Neither Parent, nor any of Parent’s Related Parties nor any agent, consultant, legal, accounting, financial or other advisor or other representative of such Person will be liable to the Company, any Seller, any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person as a result of, in connection with, or relating to the performance of the Stockholder Representative’s duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement or the Paying Agent Agreement, including with respect to any errors in judgment, negligence, oversight, breach of duty or otherwise of the Stockholder Representative. From and after the Closing, neither Parent, the Surviving Corporation, nor any of Parent’s Related Parties nor any agent, consultant, legal, accounting, financial, or other advisor or other representative of such Person shall have any liability to the Stockholder Representative, any Seller, or any other Person for (i) any calculation or allocation under the Allocation Schedule, (ii) any amounts that have been paid to the Sellers in accordance with the terms of the Allocation Schedule and this Agreement, or (iii) any Stockholder Representative Expenses or funds, security, or indemnities provided pursuant to Section 9.16(c).

 

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9.17    Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. The Fundamental Representations made by the Company shall survive the Closing for a period equal to the lesser of (y) six (6) years or (z) the applicable statute of limitations, and all other representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall terminate at the Closing. Each covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement that is to be performed prior to the Closing shall terminate at the Closing, and each covenant or agreement of the Parties contained in this Agreement that by its terms contemplates performance after the Closing shall survive the Closing until termination thereof or completion of performance thereof in accordance with their respective terms. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Section 9.17 shall not limit any Party’s right to bring claims or seek recovery for Fraud in connection with any such representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement. In addition, the Sellers shall, on a several and not joint basis, indemnify and hold harmless Parent, Acquisition Corp., the Surviving Corporation, and each of their respective Affiliates, against any Losses arising from, resulting from, in connection with, or relating to (a) any claim asserted by the Stockholder Representative, any Seller, or any third party, in each case, in connection with any inaccuracy, error, or omission in the Allocation Schedule, including any failure of the Company or the Stockholder Representative to correctly calculate the amounts owing to a Seller or to correctly distribute to any Seller the amounts of any payments made by (or on behalf of) Parent to or for the benefit of the Sellers; (b) any breach of duty or obligation by the Stockholder Representative in the performance of the Stockholder Representative’s duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, or the Paying Agent Agreement; (c) any Leakage (unless Section 4.17 has terminated pursuant to the last sentence of Section 4.17(c)); and (d) any claim asserted by any Founder Proceeds Recipient or any Seller in connection with the payment of the Founder Proceeds Amount, including any failure of the Company or any Founder Stockholder to correctly calculate or allocate payment of the Founder Proceeds Amount and any Taxes arising out of the payment of the Founder Proceeds Amount to the Founder Proceeds Recipients as directed by Section 1.12. The Parent acknowledges and agrees that, (i) from and after the Closing, the Parent and its Affiliates shall not have any remedy against the Sellers or their Affiliates, and neither the Sellers nor any other Person shall have any liability to the Parent or any Affiliate thereof, for any Losses arising out of or relating to (A) omissions, misstatements, inaccuracies or breaches of the representations and warranties made by the Company contained in this Agreement (other than with respect to the Fundamental Representations made by the Company, for which the Sellers shall be liable, on a several and not joint basis, subject to and in accordance with this Section 9.17, and other than with respect to Fraud in connection with any such representation or warranty), or (B) violations, breaches or non-performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement that is to be performed prior to the Closing, in each case, regardless of the legal theory under which such liability or obligation may be sought to be imposed, whether sounding in contract or tort, or whether at law or in equity, or otherwise, and no claims with respect thereto may be made against the Sellers or any Affiliate thereof; (ii) the Parent’s and its Affiliates’ sole and exclusive remedy for such matters set forth in the preceding clause (i)(A) shall be against the R&W Insurance Policy; (iii) the amount of any Losses under this Section 9.17 for which Sellers may be liable shall be determined net of any amounts actually recovered (net of all costs of collection) by the Parent and its Affiliates with respect to such Losses under any insurance policy, including the R&W Insurance Policy; (iv) the Parent and its

 

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Affiliates shall use commercially reasonably efforts to obtain full recovery under the R&W Insurance Policy for any Loss indemnifiable under this Section 9.17 prior to seeking recovery from the Sellers, on a several and not joint basis, in respect thereof; (v) the Sellers shall not become liable with respect to the matters set forth in the preceding clause (i)(A) (including with respect to any Fundamental Representation) as a result of any rights of subrogation under the R&W Insurance Policy (other than in the case of fraud, as such term is defined in the R&W Insurance Policy), which subrogation rights shall be limited to the rights of the Parent under this Agreement; and (vi) notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, except in the case of Fraud, (A) in no event shall the maximum amount of all Losses for which the Sellers may be liable under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement exceed the Aggregate Merger Consideration and in no event shall the maximum individual liability of any Seller under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which such Seller is a party exceed such Seller’s Pro Rata Share of the Aggregate Merger Consideration actually paid to such Seller. The Parties hereto agree that, from and after the Closing, except in the case of Fraud, and except with respect to disputes under Section 1.11 (which shall be resolved pursuant to Section 1.11), the sole and exclusive remedies of the parties for any Losses based upon, arising out of, or otherwise in respect of this Agreement (including representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements) and the transactions contemplated hereby, whether based in contract, tort, equity, or Law, or otherwise, are the indemnification and reimbursement obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 9.17 and the R&W Insurance Policy.

9.18    Non-Recourse. This Agreement may be enforced only against, and any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, may be brought only against, the entities that are expressly named as Parties hereto and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to such Party. With respect to each named Party to this Agreement, except in the case of Fraud, no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, general or limited partner, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, advisor, financing source or representative or Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons (each, a “Non-Recourse Party”) shall have any liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) for any one or more of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations or liabilities of such named Party or for any claim based on, arising out of, or related to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Without limiting the rights of any Party against the other Parties to this Agreement, in no event shall any Party or any of its Affiliates seek to enforce this Agreement against, make any claims for breach of this Agreement against, or (except in the case of Fraud) seek to recover monetary damages from, any Non-Recourse Party. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in no event shall any party hereto be entitled to enforce this Agreement against, or raise any action, claim, cause of action, suit, inquire, proceeding or investigation against the Debt Financing Sources arising out of or related to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Debt Financing or the performances of the services with respect thereto); provided that nothing in this Section 9.18 shall in any way limit or qualify the obligations and liabilities of the parties to the Debt Commitment Letter to each other thereunder or in connection therewith.

[Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the date first written above.

 

PARENT:
FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael A. Doyle

Name:   Michael A. Doyle
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
ACQUISITION CORP.:
SUPERNOVA ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Michael A. Doyle

Name:   Michael A. Doyle
Title:   President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the date first written above.

 

THE COMPANY:
SIRIUSDECISIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Richard E. Eldh, Jr.

Name:   Richard E. Eldh, Jr.
Title:   Co-President
By:  

/s/ John J. Neeson

Name:   John J. Neeson
Title:   Co-President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the date first written above.

 

FOUNDER STOCKHOLDERS:

/s/ John J. Neeson

John J. Neeson, individually

/s/ Richard E. Eldh

Richard E. Eldh, Jr., individually

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the date first written above.

 

FOUNDER STOCKHOLDERS:

/s/ Joyce C. Eldh

Joyce C. Eldh, as Trustee of the Richard E. Eldh, Jr.

Irrevocable Trust under the Richard E. Eldh, Jr.

Irrevocable Trust Agreement, dated December 27, 2012

/s/ Tracy L. Neeson

Tracy L. Neeson, Jr., as Trustee of the John J. Neeson 2012

Irrevocable Family Trust under the Neeson 2012

Irrevocable Family Trust Agreement, dated

December 31, 2012

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the date first written above.

 

THE STOCKHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE:
FORTIS ADVISORS LLC
By:  

/s/ Richard Fink

Name:   Richard Fink
Title:   CEO & Managing Director

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

November 26, 2018

Forrester Research, Inc.

60 Acorn Park Drive

Cambridge, MA 02140

Attention: Michael Doyle

Project Supernova

Commitment Letter

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have advised JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”, the “Commitment Party”, “us” or “we”) that Forrester Research, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“you” or the “Borrower”), intends to acquire, directly or indirectly, the outstanding equity interests of the company you have identified to us as “Supernova” (the “Target”) pursuant to the Merger Agreement and to consummate the other transactions described on Exhibit A hereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used with the meanings assigned to them on the Exhibits attached hereto (such Exhibits, together with this letter, collectively, the “Commitment Letter”).

 

1.

Commitments

In connection with the Transactions, JPMorgan is pleased to advise you of its commitment to provide 100% of the aggregate amount of commitments in respect of each of the Credit Facilities (JPMorgan, in such capacity, the “Initial Lender”) upon the terms and conditions expressly set forth in this letter and Exhibits B and C hereto (collectively, the “Term Sheets”), and the closing and funding of the Facilities is subject only to the Exclusive Funding Conditions.

 

2.

Titles and Roles

It is agreed that:

(a) JPMorgan will act as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner for the Credit Facilities (acting in such capacities, the “Lead Arranger”); provided that the Borrower agrees that JPMorgan may perform its responsibilities hereunder through its affiliate, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and (b) JPMorgan will act as sole administrative agent for the Credit Facilities (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

You agree that no other agents, co-agents, arrangers, co-arrangers, bookrunners, co-bookrunners, managers or co-managers will be appointed, no other titles will be awarded and no compensation (other than that expressly contemplated by this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter referred to below) will be paid in connection with obtaining commitments with respect to the Credit Facilities unless you and we shall so reasonably agree (it being understood and agreed that no other agent, co-agent, arranger, co-


arranger, bookrunner, co-bookrunner, manager or co-manager shall be entitled to greater economics in respect of the Credit Facilities than the Commitment Party); provided that, (a) within 15 business days of the date of your acceptance of this Commitment Letter (the “Acceptance Date”), you may appoint one (1) additional lead arranger, bookrunner, manager, agent or co-agent in respect of the Credit Facilities or confer other titles (but not a portion of the compensatory economics contemplated hereby) in respect of the Credit Facilities, and (b) you may appoint other Lenders as syndication agents, co-syndication agents, documentation agents, co-documentation agents and other similar titles (but not confer a portion of the compensatory economics contemplated hereby) in consultation with us. It is further agreed that JPMorgan will have “left lead” placement in any and all marketing materials used in connection with the Credit Facilities.

 

3.

Syndication

We intend to syndicate the Credit Facilities to a group of lenders identified by us in consultation with you and reasonably acceptable to you (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (other than any Disqualified Institution (as defined below) (collectively with the Initial Lender, the “Lenders”), in each case, excluding (a) any person identified by you to us in writing prior to the execution of this Commitment Letter, (b) any person that is (directly or through a controlled subsidiary or portfolio company) a competitor of you, the Target or your or its respective subsidiaries that is separately identified in writing by you to us from time to time prior to the Closing Date (or, if after the Closing Date, that is identified to the Administrative Agent), or (c) any affiliate of any person identified in clause (a) or (b) (other than any affiliate that is a bona fide debt fund or investment vehicle that is engaged primarily in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in loans, commitments and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business for financial investment purposes and with respect to which no personnel involved with the investment in the relevant competitor, or the management, control or operation thereof, directly or indirectly, possesses the power to direct or cause the investment policies of such fund, vehicle or entity) that is (i) identified in writing by you from time to time or (ii) clearly identifiable as an affiliate on the basis of its name (any such person in clause (a), (b) or (c) above, a “Disqualified Institution”), which designation shall not have retroactive effect to any prior assignment or pending trade to any Lender permitted hereunder or under the Documentation at the time of such assignment (but further assignments and participations shall be prohibited). The Commitment Party intends to commence syndication efforts promptly, and you agree to assist (and to use your commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Target to assist to the extent practical and appropriate and not in contravention of the Merger Agreement) the Commitment Party in completing a syndication reasonably satisfactory to the Commitment Party and you, which assistance may include (in each case, with respect to the Target, to the extent practical and appropriate and not in contravention of the Merger Agreement) (A) your using commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the syndication efforts benefit from your and the Target’s existing banking relationships, (B) facilitating direct contact between appropriate members your senior management and certain non-legal advisors (and using your commercially reasonable efforts to ensure such contact between appropriate senior management of the Target to the extent practical and appropriate and not in contravention of the Merger Agreement), on the one hand, and the proposed Lenders, on the other hand, in all such cases at times and, if applicable, locations, mutually agreed upon, (C) preparing and providing to the Commitment Party (and using commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Target or its advisors to prepare and provide to the extent practical and appropriate and not in contravention of the Merger Agreement) all customary information with respect to you and the Target and its subsidiaries and the Acquisition, including all customary financial information and Projections (as defined below) as the Commitment Party may reasonably request to be used in connection with the arrangement and syndication of the Credit Facilities and (D) assisting (and using your commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Target to assist to the extent practical and appropriate and not in contravention of the Merger Agreement) in the preparation of a customary confidential information memorandum (the “Confidential Information Memorandum”) and other customary marketing materials

 

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reasonably requested by the Lead Arranger to be used in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facilities (all such information, memoranda and material, “Information Materials”), (E) your hosting, with the Commitment Party, of one or more meetings (but, in any event, not more than two (2)) (or, if you and the Lead Arranger so agree, conference calls in lieu of any such meeting) of prospective Lenders at times and locations to be mutually agreed (and using your commercially reasonable efforts to cause the appropriate senior management of the Target to be available for such meetings) and (F) ensuring that (and in the case of the Target and its subsidiaries, limited your commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that, to the extent practical and appropriate and not in contravention of the Merger Agreement) there is no competing offering, placement, arrangement or syndication of any debt securities or bank financing (other than the Credit Facilities, any debt that we agree may remain outstanding, any debt permitted under the Merger Agreement and any replacement, extension or renewal of existing debt of the Borrower, the Target or any of their respective subsidiaries that matures within one year of the date hereof) by or on behalf of you or the Target and its subsidiaries without the consent of the Lead Arranger, if such offering, placement, arrangement or syndication would reasonably be expected to materially impair the primary syndication of the Credit Facilities (it being agreed that any borrowings under any existing credit facilities of the Target and other debt incurred in the ordinary course of business by you, the Target or your and its respective subsidiaries, including, without limitation, deferred purchase obligations, intercompany debt, capital leases, purchase money financings and equipment financings are not restricted by the foregoing). You understand and acknowledge that, following the Closing Date, we may provide to market data collectors, such as league table, or other service providers to the lending industry, information regarding the closing date, size, type, purpose of, and parties to, the Credit Facilities.

Without limiting your obligations to assist with syndication efforts as set forth herein, we agree that notwithstanding the Lead Arranger’s right to syndicate the Credit Facilities and receive commitments with respect thereto, other than in connection with a Joinder entered into in accordance with this Commitment Letter, (i) the Initial Lender shall not be released or relieved from its commitment hereunder (including, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the Exclusive Funding Conditions, the obligation to fund all of the Credit Facilities on the Closing Date) in connection with any syndication, assignment or participation of the Credit Facilities, including its commitments in respect thereof, until after the initial funding of the Credit Facilities (including any Revolving Loans requested to be funded on the Closing Date) on the Closing Date has occurred, (ii) no assignment, participation or novation by the Initial Lender shall become effective as between you and the Initial Lender with respect to all or any portion of the Initial Lender’s commitments in respect of the Credit Facilities until immediately after the initial funding of the Credit Facilities on the Closing Date has occurred and (iii) unless you otherwise agree in writing, the Initial Lender shall retain exclusive control over all rights and obligations with respect to its commitments in respect of the Credit Facilities, including all rights with respect to consents, modifications, supplements, waivers and amendments, until immediately after the initial funding of the Credit Facilities on the Closing Date has occurred.

The Commitment Party will manage, in consultation with you, all aspects of the syndication of the Credit Facilities, including decisions as to the selection of institutions to be approached and when they will be approached, when commitments will be accepted, which institutions will participate, the allocation of the commitments among the Lenders and the amount and distribution of fees among the Lenders (in each case, subject to your consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and subject to the exclusion of Disqualified Institutions). You hereby acknowledge and agree that the Lead Arranger is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Borrower with respect to the arrangement of the Credit Facilities (including in connection with determining the terms of the Credit Facilities) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Borrower or any other person.

 

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In connection with our distribution to prospective Lenders of the Confidential Information Memorandum and, upon our request, any other Information Materials, you will execute and deliver to us a customary authorization letter authorizing such distribution. The Confidential Information Memorandum will be accompanied by a disclaimer exculpating you, the Target and us and your, its and our respective affiliates with respect to any use thereof and of any related Information Materials by the recipients thereof.

 

4.

Information

You hereby represent and warrant that (with respect to any information relating to the Target and its subsidiaries, to your knowledge) (a) all written presented information (including all Information Materials), other than the Projections, any third-party memoranda or reports furnished, concerning you or the Target or your or its respective affiliates and information of a general economic or industry specific nature (the “Information”), that has been or will be made available to us by you or any of your representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole, does not or will not, when furnished to us, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, taken as a whole, not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made (giving effect to all supplements thereto) and (b) the financial projections, budgets, estimates, and other forward-looking information (the “Projections”) that have been or will be made available to us by you or any of your representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby have been or will be prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by you to be reasonable at the time prepared (it being recognized by the Commitment Party that (i) such Projections are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of performance and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond your control and (ii) no assurance can be given that any particular projections will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections may differ from the projected results, and such differences may be material). You agree that if, at any time prior to the later of the Closing Date and the Syndication Date (as defined in the Fee Letter, you become aware that any of the representations in the preceding sentence would be incorrect if such Information or Projections were furnished at such time and such representations were being made at such time, in any material respect, then you will (or, with respect to the Information and Projections relating to the Target and its subsidiaries, will use commercially reasonable efforts to) promptly supplement (or, to the extent appropriate and not in contravention of the Merger Agreement, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Target to promptly supplement) the Information and the Projections so that (with respect to Information and Projections relating to the Target and its subsidiaries, to your knowledge) such representations when remade would be correct, in all material respects, under those circumstances. You understand that in arranging and syndicating the Credit Facilities we may use and rely on the Information and Projections without independent verification thereof. It is understood and agreed that none of the making of any representation or warranty under this Section 4, the provision of any supplement to any Information or the Projections, nor the accuracy of any such representation, warranty or supplement shall constitute a condition precedent to the commitments hereunder or the availability of the Credit Facilities on the Closing Date.

 

5.

Fees

As consideration for the commitments and agreements of the Commitment Party hereunder, you agree to pay or cause to be paid the fees described in the Fee Letter dated the date hereof and delivered herewith (the “Fee Letter”) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

 

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6.

Conditions

Notwithstanding anything in this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter, the Facilities Documentation (as defined below) or any other letter agreement or other undertaking concerning the financing of the transactions contemplated hereby to the contrary, (a) Commitment Party’s commitments hereunder are subject only to the Exclusive Funding Conditions and (b) to the extent the Specified Merger Agreement Representations (as defined below) with respect to the Target and its subsidiaries are qualified or subject to “material adverse effect,” the definition thereof shall be “Material Adverse Effect” as defined in the Merger Agreement for purposes of the representation and warranties made or to be made on or as of the Closing Date. Upon satisfaction (or waiver by the Commitment Party) of the Exclusive Funding Conditions, the initial funding of the Credit Facilities shall occur; it being understood that there are no conditions (implied or otherwise) to the commitments hereunder (including compliance with the terms of this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter or the definitive documentation for the Credit Facilities (such documentation, the “Facilities Documentation”, which shall include the Limited Conditionality Provisions and be consistent with the terms contained in this Commitment Letter)) other than the Exclusive Funding Conditions.

Notwithstanding anything in this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter, the Credit Facilities Documentation or any other letter agreement or other undertaking concerning the financing of the Transactions to the contrary, (a) the only representations and warranties the accuracy of which shall be a condition to the availability of the Credit Facilities on the Closing Date shall be (i) such of the representations made by or with respect to the Target and its subsidiaries in the Merger Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that you or your affiliates have the right (determined without regard to any notice requirement) to decline to close under the Merger Agreement or to terminate your (or their )obligations under the Merger Agreement or to decline to consummate the Acquisition as a result of a breach of such representations in the Merger Agreement, in each case, without incurring any liability for any termination payment, “break-up” fee or other material expense (to such extent, the “Specified Merger Agreement Representations”) and (ii) the Specified Representations (as defined below) made by the Loan Parties in the Facilities Documentation (the representations described in clauses (i) and (ii) being the “Closing Date Representations”) and (b) the terms of the Facilities Documentation and other closing deliverables shall be in a form such that they do not impair the availability or funding of the Credit Facilities on the Closing Date if the Exclusive Funding Conditions are satisfied or waived, it being understood that, to the extent any lien search or security interest in the Collateral is not or cannot be provided on the Closing Date (other than (x) the pledge and perfection of Collateral with respect to which a lien may be perfected by the filing of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”), and (y) the delivery of equity certificates and transfer powers for such equity interests that are “certificated securities” (as defined in Article 8 of the UCC) of the Target and domestic restricted subsidiaries of the Borrower and the Target that are part of the Collateral; provided that, to the extent that you have used commercially reasonable efforts to procure the delivery thereof prior to the Closing Date, certificated equity interests of the Target’s subsidiaries will only be required to be delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to the terms set forth above if such certificates are actually received from the Target prior to the Closing Date)) after your use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so without undue burden or expense, then the provision and/or perfection, as applicable, of any such lien search or security interest in such Collateral shall not constitute a condition precedent to the availability of the Credit Facilities, but shall instead be provided not later than 60 days following the Closing Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree). For purposes hereof, “Specified Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in the Facilities Documentation relating to corporate or other organizational existence of the Loan Parties; power and authority, due authorization, execution and delivery of, and enforceability of, the Facilities Documentation; no conflicts with organizational documents, in each case (other than with respect to corporate or other organizational existence) related to the due authorization, execution, delivery and

 

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performance of the Facilities Documentation; solvency as of the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Transactions) of the Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (with solvency to be defined in a manner consistent with the certificate attached as Exhibit D hereto); Federal Reserve margin regulations; the Investment Company Act; PATRIOT Act; use of proceeds not violating OFAC, FCPA and other applicable sanctions and anti-corruption laws; and creation, validity and perfection of security interests in the Collateral (subject to customary permitted liens to be agreed) and subject in all respects to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph. This paragraph, and the provisions herein, shall be referred to as the “Limited Conditionality Provisions.”

 

7.

Indemnification and Expenses

You agree (a) to indemnify and hold harmless the Commitment Party, its affiliates and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, advisors, agents and other representatives (each, an “indemnified person”) from and against any and all losses (excluding lost profits), claims, damages and liabilities to which any such indemnified person may become subject arising out of or in connection with this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter, the Credit Facilities, the use of the proceeds thereof or the Acquisition and the Transactions or any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding (a “Proceeding”) relating to any of the foregoing, regardless of whether any indemnified person is a party thereto, whether or not such Proceedings are brought by you, your equity holders, affiliates, creditors or any other person, and to reimburse each indemnified person upon demand (together with reasonable backup documentation) for any reasonable and documented legal or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any of the foregoing (but limited, in the case of legal expenses, to (x) one counsel to such indemnified persons taken as a whole, (y) to the extent reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each relevant material jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of local counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and (z) in the case of any actual or perceived conflict of interest, after receipt of your consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), one additional counsel and, if necessary, one additional local counsel in each relevant material jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of local counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) to such indemnified persons taken as a whole), provided that the foregoing indemnity will not, as to any indemnified person, apply to losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (i) to the extent they are found by a final, nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of such indemnified person or its control affiliates, directors, officers or employees (collectively, the “Related Parties”), (ii) to the extent they are found by a final, nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the breach of an indemnified person’s funding obligations or any other material breach of its (or its Related Parties’) obligations under this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter or the Facilities Documentation or (iii) to the extent relating to or arising out of any disputes brought by an indemnified person against any other indemnified person that do not involve an act or omission by you or any of your affiliates (other than any claims against an indemnified person in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Lead Arranger) and (b) (x) regardless of whether the Closing Date occurs, to reimburse the Commitment Party and its affiliates for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (other than legal fees and expenses) that have been invoiced at least (3) Business Days’ prior to the Closing Date or, following termination or expiration of the commitments hereunder (or, if not so invoiced, promptly following the Closing Date or such termination or expiration of the commitments hereunder) (including due diligence expenses, syndication expenses and travel expenses) (provided that, in the event the Closing Date does not occur, your reimbursement obligations under this clause (x) shall not exceed $10,000) and, (y) if the Closing Date occurs, the fees, charges and disbursements of one outside counsel to the Commitment Party and to the extent reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each relevant material jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of local counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) to the Commitment Party, in each case, incurred in connection with each of the Credit Facilities and any related documentation (including this Commitment Letter and the Facilities Documentation) or the administration, amendment, modification or waiver thereof. It is further agreed

 

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that the Commitment Party shall only have liability to you (as opposed to any other person) and that the Commitment Party shall be liable solely in respect of its own commitment to the Credit Facilities on a several, and not joint, basis with any other party committing to the Credit Facilities. No indemnified person shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of Information or other materials obtained through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems, except to the extent any such damages are found by a final, nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of, or material breach of this Commitment Letter or the Facilities Documentation by, such indemnified person (or any of its Related Parties). None of the indemnified persons or you, the Target or any of your or their respective affiliates or the respective directors, officers, employees, advisors, and agents of the foregoing shall be liable for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages in connection with this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter, the Credit Facilities or the transactions contemplated hereby, provided that nothing contained in this sentence shall limit your indemnity obligations to the extent set forth in this Section 7.

You shall not be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding (or expenses related thereto) effected without your written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed it being understood that the withholding of consent due to non-satisfaction of any of the conditions described in clauses (a) and (b) of the succeeding sentence (with “you” being substituted for “indemnified person” in each such clause) shall be deemed reasonable), but if settled with your written consent, or if there is a final judgment in any such Proceeding, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless each indemnified person to the extent and in the manner set forth above. You shall not, without the prior written consent of an indemnified person (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened (in writing) Proceeding against an indemnified person in respect of which indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified person unless (a) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified person in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified person from all liability or claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding. and (b) such settlement does not include any statement as to any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of such indemnified person.

In case any Proceeding is instituted involving any indemnified person for which indemnification will be sought hereunder by such indemnified person, then such indemnified person will use commercially reasonable efforts to notify you promptly of the commencement of such Proceeding; provided that the failure so to notify you will not relieve you from any liability that you may have to such indemnified person pursuant to this Section 7, unless your rights and defense of such matter are materially adversely affected by such failure to notify you. If an indemnifying party has reimbursed any indemnified person for any legal or other expenses, and there is a final and non-appealable determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that the indemnified person was not entitled to indemnification or contribution rights with respect to such payment pursuant to this Section 7, then the indemnified person shall promptly refund such amount.

 

8.

Sharing of Information, Absence of Fiduciary Relationship, Affiliate Activities

You acknowledge that the Commitment Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which you may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. The Commitment Party will not use confidential information obtained from you by virtue of the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter or its other relationships with you in connection with the performance by the Commitment Party of services for other companies, and the Commitment Party will not furnish any such information to other companies. You also acknowledge that the Commitment Party has no obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter, or to furnish to you, confidential information obtained from other companies.

 

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You agree that the Commitment Party will act under this Commitment Letter as an independent contractor and that nothing in this Commitment Letter will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between the Commitment Party and you and your respective equity holders or your and their respective affiliates. You acknowledge and agree that (i) the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Commitment Party and, if applicable, its affiliates, on the one hand, and you, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction the Commitment Party and, if applicable, its affiliates, is acting solely as a principal and has not been, is not and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary of you, your management, equity holders, creditors, affiliates or any other person, and (iii) the Commitment Party and, if applicable, its affiliates, has not assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility or any other obligation in favor of you or your affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Commitment Party or any of its affiliates has advised or is currently advising you or your affiliates on other matters) except the obligations expressly set forth in this Commitment Letter. You further acknowledge and agree that (i) you are responsible for making your own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto, (ii) you are capable of evaluating and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby, and JPMorgan shall have no responsibility or liability to you with respect thereto, and (iii) as Lead Arranger, JPMorgan is not advising the Borrower as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction, and you shall consult with your own advisors concerning such matters and you shall be responsible for making your own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby. Any review by JPMorgan of the Borrower, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of JPMorgan and shall not be on behalf of the Borrower. The Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Arranger based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Lead Arranger in connection with this Commitment Letter and the transactions contemplated hereby.

You further acknowledge that the Commitment Party is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, the Commitment Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, you and other companies with which you may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by the Commitment Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion.

 

9.

Confidentiality

This Commitment Letter is delivered to you on the understanding that neither this Commitment Letter nor the Fee Letter nor any of their terms or substance shall be disclosed by you, directly or indirectly, to any other person with the prior written consent of the Commitment Party except (a) your affiliates and your and your affiliates’ officers, directors, employees, affiliates, members, partners, stockholders, attorneys, accountants, agents and advisors, in each case on a confidential basis, (b) the Target and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, members, partners, stockholders, attorneys, accountants, agents and advisors, in each case on a confidential basis (provided that any disclosure of the Fee Letter or its terms or substance to the Target or its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants, agents or advisors shall be redacted in respect of provisions therein relating to pricing, fees and other economic terms of the Credit Facilities), (b) in any legal, judicial or administrative proceeding or as otherwise required by any applicable law or regulation or as requested by a governmental authority (in which case you agree, to the extent permitted by law or regulation, to inform

 

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us promptly in advance thereof), (c) this Commitment Letter and the existence and contents hereof (but not the Fee Letter or the contents thereof other than the existence thereof and the contents thereof as part of projections, pro forma information and a generic disclosure of aggregate sources and uses to the extent customary in marketing materials, funds flow memoranda or in any other required public filings related to the Transaction) may be disclosed in any syndication or other marketing material in connection with the Credit Facilities or in connection with any public filing requirement or in a funds flow memoranda, (d) the Term Sheets may be disclosed to potential Lenders, (e) the Term Sheets may be disclosed to any rating agency in connection with obtaining ratings for the Borrower and/or the Credit Facilities, (f) to the extent any such information becomes publicly available other than by reason of disclosure by you or your affiliates in violation of this paragraph and (g) in connection with the enforcement of rights or remedies hereunder or under the Fee Letter or the Facilities Documentation or in connection with any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter, the Facilities Documentation or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

The Commitment Party agrees, on behalf of itself and its affiliates and Related Parties to use all information delivered to the Commitment Party or its affiliates by you or the Target or your or its respective affiliates and representatives in connection with the Acquisition and the related transactions solely for the purposes of providing the services that are the subject of this Commitment Letter and to treat confidentially all such information; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the Commitment Party from disclosing any such information (a) to rating agencies, (b) to any Lenders or participants or prospective Lenders or participants, (c) in any legal, judicial, administrative proceeding or other compulsory process or as required by applicable law or regulations (in which case the Commitment Party shall promptly notify you, in advance, to the extent permitted by law), (d) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Commitment Party or its affiliates (in which case such Commitment Party shall, except with respect to any ordinary course audit or examination conducted by accountants or any regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority, promptly notify you, in advance, to the extent permitted by law), (e) to the employees, legal counsel, independent auditors, professionals and other experts or agents of the Commitment Party (collectively, “Representatives”) who are informed of the confidential nature of such information and are obligated to or otherwise agree to keep information of this type confidential to terms no less restrictive than those contained herein, (f) to any of its respective affiliates (provided that any such affiliate is advised of its obligation to retain such information as confidential, and the Commitment Party shall be responsible for its affiliates’ compliance with this paragraph) solely in connection with the Acquisition and any related transactions, (g) to the extent that such information is received by the Commitment Party from a third party that is not, to the Commitment Party’s knowledge, subject to contractual or fiduciary confidentiality obligations owing to you with respect to such information, (h) to the extent that such information is independently developed by the Commitment Party or any of its affiliates, (i) to the extent any such information becomes publicly available other than by reason of disclosure by the Commitment Party, its affiliates or Representatives in breach of this Commitment Letter, and (j) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense. Notwithstanding anything contained herein or in any Facilities Documentation to the contrary, no such disclosure shall be made to any Disqualified Institution. The provisions of this paragraph shall automatically terminate one year following the date of this Commitment Letter; provided that, if the Closing Date occurs, these provisions shall terminate on the Closing Date, and this Commitment Letter shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of the Facilities Documentation.

 

10.

Miscellaneous

This Commitment Letter shall not be assignable by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the Commitment Party or you, as applicable (and any purported assignment without such consent shall be null and void), is intended to be solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and the indemnified persons and is not intended to and does not confer any benefits upon, or create any rights in

 

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favor of, any person other than the parties hereto and the indemnified persons to the extent expressly set forth herein; provided that you may assign this Commitment Letter on the Closing Date to one or more of your affiliates that is a newly formed domestic “shell” company controlled, directly or indirectly, by you to effect the consummation of the Acquisition. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Commitment Letter, the Commitment Party reserves the right to employ the services of its affiliates in providing services contemplated hereby and to allocate, in whole or in part, to its affiliates certain fees payable to the Commitment Party in such manner as the Commitment Party and its affiliates may agree in their sole discretion. This Commitment Letter may not be amended or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by you and the Commitment Party. This Commitment Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Commitment Letter by facsimile or electronic transmission (e.g., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. This Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter are the only agreements that have been entered into among us and you with respect to the Credit Facilities and set forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect thereto. This Commitment Letter and any claim or controversy arising hereunder or related hereto shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York; provided that (i) the determination of the accuracy of any Specified Merger Agreement Representation and whether as a result of the inaccuracy thereof you (or your affiliate) have the right to terminate your (or its) obligations under the Merger Agreement, or decline to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) the interpretation of the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and whether a “Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) has occurred and (iii) the determination of whether the Acquisition has been consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement shall, in each case, be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Merger Agreement Governing Law” and the matters referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) of this proviso, the “Merger Agreement Related Matters”).

You and we (and, to the extent the benefits herein are accepted by such persons and entities, each other indemnified person) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan (or if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan) and any appellate court of the foregoing over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby, this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letter or the performance of services hereunder or thereunder or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such New York state or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court and (b) agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. You and we agree that service of any process, summons, notice or document by registered mail addressed to you or us at the applicable address above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court. You and we hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive, to the fullest extent you and we may legally and effectively do so, any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding has been brought in any inconvenient forum. YOU AND WE (AND, TO THE EXTENT THE BENEFITS HEREIN ARE ACCEPTED BY SUCH PERSONS AND ENTITIES, EACH OTHER INDEMNIFIED PERSON) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREE TO WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY OR ON BEHALF OF ANY PARTY RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THE TRANSACTIONS, THIS COMMITMENT LETTER OR THE FEE LETTER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER.

 

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The Commitment Party hereby notifies you that, pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law on October 26, 2001) (the “PATRIOT Act”) and the requirements of 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230 (the “Beneficial Ownership Regulation”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and each Guarantor, which information includes names, addresses, tax identification numbers and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower and each Guarantor in accordance with the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. This notice is given in accordance with the requirements of the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, as applicable, and is effective for the Commitment Party and each Lender.

The indemnification, fee, expense, jurisdiction, waiver of jury trial, services of process, governing law, syndication and confidentiality provisions contained herein and in the Fee Letter shall remain in full force and effect regardless of whether Facilities Documentation shall be executed and delivered and notwithstanding the termination of this Commitment Letter or the commitments hereunder; provided that your obligations under this Commitment Letter (other than your obligations with respect to (a) assistance to be provided in connection with the syndication thereof (including as to the provision of information and representations with respect thereto), which shall terminate on the later of (x) the Closing Date and (y) the Syndication Date and (b) confidentiality, which shall terminate as set forth herein) shall automatically terminate and be superseded by the provisions of the Facilities Documentation upon the initial funding thereunder, and you shall automatically be released from all liability in connection therewith at such time.

If the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement, please indicate your acceptance of the terms of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter by returning to us (or our legal counsel) executed counterparts of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter not later than 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 29, 2018. This offer will automatically expire at such time if we have not received such executed counterparts in accordance with the preceding sentence. If you do so execute and deliver to us (or our legal counsel) this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter at or prior to such time, we agree to hold our commitment to provide the Credit Facilities and our other undertakings in connection therewith available for you until the Expiration Date (as defined below), and, in the event that the initial borrowing under the Credit Facilities does not occur on or before the Expiration Date (other than as a result of the breach of the funding obligations or other material obligations of any Commitment Party or its Related Parties hereunder or under the Facilities Documentation), then this Commitment Letter and the commitments hereunder shall automatically terminate unless we shall, in our discretion, agree to an extension. “Expiration Date” means the earliest of (i) 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on March 4, 2019, (ii) the closing of the Acquisition without the use of the Credit Facilities and (iii) the valid termination of the Merger Agreement prior to the closing of the Acquisition.

 

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We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to assist you in connection with this important financing.

 

Very truly yours,
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
By:  

/s/ Amy U. Lessner

Name:   Amy U. Lessner
Title:   Executive Director

Commitment Letter Signature Page


Accepted and agreed to as of the date first written above:

 

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Doyle

Name:   Michael Doyle
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Commitment Letter Signature Page


EXHIBIT A

PROJECT SUPERNOVA

TRANSACTION SUMMARY

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit A shall have the meanings set forth in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit A is attached and in Exhibits B and C thereto.

The Borrower will acquire (the “Acquisition”), directly or indirectly, the outstanding equity interests of the Target pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (together with all exhibits, schedules and disclosure letters thereto, the “Merger Agreement”) dated as of November 26, 2018 among the Target, the Borrower, Supernova Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“AcquisitionCo”) and a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower, and the seller representative referred to therein, pursuant to which, on the Closing Date, AcquisitionCo will merge with and into the Target, with the Target being the surviving corporation and a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower. In connection therewith, it is intended that:

(a)    the Borrower will obtain senior secured credit facilities (the “Credit Facilities”) in an aggregate amount of $200.0 million comprised of (i) a $125.0 million term loan facility, and (ii) a $75.0 million revolving credit facility, each as described in Exhibit B; and

(b)    the proceeds of the Credit Facilities on the Closing Date will be applied (i) to pay the cash consideration for the Acquisition and (ii) to pay the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions (such fees and expenses, the “Transaction Costs”).

The transactions described above are collectively referred to herein as the “Transactions”. For purposes of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter, “Closing Date” shall mean the date of the satisfaction or waiver of the Exclusive Funding Conditions and the initial funding of the Credit Facilities.


EXHIBIT B

PROJECT SUPERNOVA

$200.0 Million

Credit Facilities

Summary of Terms and Conditions

Set forth below is a summary of the principal terms and conditions for the Credit Facilities. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit B shall have the meanings set forth in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit B is attached and in Exhibits A and C attached thereto.

1. PARTIES

 

Borrower:    Forrester Research, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”).
Guarantors:    Each of the Borrower’s direct and indirect, existing and future, U.S. wholly-owned subsidiaries (other than any such subsidiary (u) substantially all of the assets of which consist of equity interests or indebtedness of one or more foreign subsidiaries that are “controlled foreign corporations” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (such corporations, “CFCs” and each such subsidiary described in this clause (u), a “FSHCO”), (v) that is a direct or indirect subsidiary of a CFC, (w) that has been designated as an unrestricted subsidiary or that is securitization subsidiary, captive insurance subsidiary or not-for-profit subsidiary, (x) that is below a materiality threshold (based on assets and revenues) to be agreed, (y) that is not permitted by law, regulation, or a contractual obligation binding on a subsidiary (in the case of a contractual obligation, to the extent in existence on the Closing Date or at the time a subsidiary becomes a restricted subsidiary (to the extent not entered into in contemplation of the acquisition of such subsidiary)) to provide such guarantee, or would require governmental or regulatory consent, approval, license or authorization to provide such guarantee (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received) or for which the provision of such guarantee would result in adverse tax consequence to the Borrower, or any of the Borrower’s subsidiaries (as reasonably determined by the Borrower) or (z) with respect to which, in the judgment of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the cost or other consequences of providing a guarantee would be excessive in relation to the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom) (any of the foregoing entities that provides a Guarantee, the “Guarantors”; and together with the Borrower, the “Loan Parties”). Guarantees shall exclude swap obligations to the extent not permitted by the Commodity Exchange Act, or any regulation thereunder, by virtue of a subsidiary failing to constitute an “eligible contract participant”.


Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner:    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (in such capacity, the “Lead Arranger”).
Administrative Agent:    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).
Lenders:    A syndicate of banks, financial institutions and other entities arranged by the Commitment Party and consented to by the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), other than any Disqualified Institution (collectively, the “Lenders”).

2. TYPES AND AMOUNTS OF CREDIT FACILITIES

A. Term Loan Facility

 

Type and Amount:    A five-year term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million (the loans thereunder, the “Term Loans”).
Maturity and Amortization:    The Term Loans will mature on the date that is five years after the Closing Date (the “Term Maturity Date”).
   The Term Loans shall be repayable in equal quarterly installments in each year below in an aggregate amount for such year equal to the percentage set forth opposite such year of the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans funded on the Closing Date:
   Year    Percentage
      1           5
      2           7.5
      3           10
      4           10
      5           12.5
   The balance of the Term Loans will be repayable on the Term Maturity Date.
Availability:    The Term Loans shall be made in a single drawing on the Closing Date. Repayments and prepayments of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
Use of Proceeds:    The proceeds of the Term Loans will be used to finance all or a portion of the Transaction Costs and the cash consideration for the Transactions.

 

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B. Revolving Facility:

 

Type and Amount:    A five-year revolving facility (the “Revolving Facility”; the commitments thereunder, the “Revolving Commitments”) in an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million (the loans thereunder, the “Revolving Loans”; and together with the Term Loans, the “Loans”).
Availability and Maturity:    The Revolving Facility shall be available on a revolving basis during the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is five years after the Closing Date (the “Revolving Termination Date”), which, in the case of ABR Revolving Loans, will be made available on a same-day basis. The Revolving Commitments will expire, and the Revolving Loans will mature, on the Revolving Termination Date. No more than $50.0 million of Revolving Loans shall be made on the Closing Date.
Letters of Credit:    A portion of the Revolving Facility not in excess of an amount to be agreed upon shall be available for the issuance of letters of credit (the “Letters of Credit”) by the Administrative Agent or other Lenders under the Revolving Facility reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (in such capacity, the “Issuing Lender”). No Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date after the earlier of (a) one year after the date of issuance unless consented to by the Issuing Lender and (b) five business days prior to the Revolving Termination Date (unless the Borrower agrees to cash collateralize, back stop or provide other credit support for such Letter of Credit prior to such date in a manner reasonably acceptable to the applicable Issuing Lender), provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year tenor may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (b) above).
   Drawings under any Letter of Credit shall be reimbursed by the Borrower (whether with its own funds or with the proceeds of Revolving Loans) within one business day of written notice of a drawing (or two business days, if notice is given after a time to be agreed on a business day). To the extent that the Borrower does not so reimburse the Issuing Lender, the Lenders under the Revolving Facility shall be irrevocably and unconditionally obligated to fund participations in the reimbursement obligations on a pro rata basis.

 

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Use of Proceeds:    The proceeds of the Revolving Loans shall be used to finance (a) in part the Transaction and (b) the working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its subsidiaries.
C. Incremental Facility:    The Facilities Documentation will permit the Borrower to add one or more incremental term loan A facilities to the Credit Facilities (each, an “Incremental Term Facility”) and/or increase commitments under the Revolving Facility (any such increase, an “Incremental Revolving Facility”; together with any Incremental Term Facilities, the “Incremental Facilities”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50.0 million; provided that (i) no Lender will be required to participate in any such Incremental Facility, (ii) subject to the Borrower’s ability to make an LCA Election, no event of default or default exists or would exist after giving effect thereto, (iii) subject to the Borrower’s ability to make an LCA Election, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Incremental Facility (assuming, in the case of any Incremental Revolving Facilities, the full drawing thereunder and after giving effect to other permitted pro forma adjustment events and any permanent repayment of indebtedness after the beginning of the relevant determination period but prior to or simultaneous with such borrowing), the Borrower is in compliance with the Financial Covenants (as defined below) recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements are available (it being understood that the proceeds of any Incremental Facility will be disregarded in any netting calculations in determining compliance with such ratios), (iv) subject to the Borrower’s ability to make an LCA Election the representations and warranties in the Facilities Documentation shall be true and correct in all material respects immediately prior to, and after giving effect to, the incurrence of such Incremental Facility, (v) with respect to any Incremental Term Facility, the maturity date and weighted average life to maturity of any such Incremental Term Facility shall be no earlier than the latest maturity date and weighted average life to maturity, respectively, of any then existing term loan facility (determined without giving effect to any prepayments that reduce amortization, (vi) any Incremental Revolving Facility shall be on the same terms as, and pursuant to documentation applicable to, the Revolving Facility (including the maturity date in respect thereof) and (vii) any Incremental Term Facility shall be on terms and pursuant to documentation to be determined, provided that (1) except to the extent not prohibited by clause (v) above, to the extent such terms are not consistent with the terms in respect of the Term Loan Facility, they shall not be materially more restrictive, when taken as a whole, than those under the Term Loan Facility (except (x) for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the latest final maturity date of the Term Loan Facility, (y) the existing Lenders under the Term Loan Facility receive the benefit of such terms or (z) such terms

 

B-4


   are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and (2) to the extent such documentation is not consistent with the documentation in respect of the Term Loan Facility, it shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Any Incremental Term Facility may provide for the ability to participate on a pro rata or less than pro rata basis (on not more than a pro rata basis) in any prepayments of the Term Loans under the Term Loan Facility. The incurrence of any Incremental Facility shall not require the consent of any Lender not participating in such Incremental Facility.
   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the case of an Incremental Facility the proceeds of which are to finance a Limited Condition Acquisition (as defined below), at the Borrower’s election (an “LCA Election”), the tests in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) in the immediately preceding paragraph may be tested at the time the definitive documentation for such Limited Condition Acquisition is executed in lieu of the date such Incremental Facility is initially made available or incurred. In the case of any incurrence tests under the Facilities Documentation, any further determination with respect to such incurrence tests prior to the earlier of the consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition and the termination of such Limited Condition Acquisition will require the Borrower to comply with such test on a pro forma basis assuming any Limited Condition Acquisition with respect to which the Borrower has made an LCA Election has been consummated and the applicable acquisition debt has been incurred.
   Limited Condition Acquisition” means any acquisition or investment the consummation of which by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries is not expressly conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing.
D. Refinancing Facilities:   
   The Facilities Documentation will permit the Borrower to refinance Term Loans or Revolving Commitments from time to time, in whole or part, with one or more new term loan A facilities (each, a “Refinancing Term Facility”) or new revolving credit facilities (each, a “Refinancing Revolving Facility”; the Refinancing Term Facilities and the Refinancing Revolving Facilities are collectively referred to herein as “Refinancing Facilities”), respectively, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Borrower and the institutions providing such Refinancing Facility or with one or more additional series of senior unsecured notes or notes that will be secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Credit Facilities or junior lien secured notes or loans that will be secured on a subordinated basis to the Credit Facilities and to the obligations under any applicable senior secured notes, in each case, which will be subject to a customary intercreditor agreement reasonably acceptable to the

 

B-5


   Administrative Agent, and the Borrower (such notes, “Refinancing Notes” and, together with the Refinancing Facilities, the “Refinancing Indebtedness”); provided that (i) any Refinancing Term Facility or Refinancing Notes do not mature prior to the maturity date of, or have a shorter weighted average life to maturity (excluding the effects of any prepayments of Term Loans reducing amortization) than, the Term Loans being refinanced, have amortization or mandatory redemption features (other than customary asset sale and change of control offers or events of default) that could result in prepayments or redemptions of such Refinancing Term Facility or Refinancing Notes prior to, the date that is the maturity date of the Term Loans that are being refinanced, (ii) any Refinancing Revolving Facility does not mature prior to the maturity date of the Revolving Commitments that are being refinanced, (iii) the amount of any Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the amount of indebtedness being refinanced (plus any premium, accrued interest or fees and expenses in respect of the refinancing thereof), (iv) any Refinancing Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any subsidiaries of the Borrower that do not guarantee the Credit Facilities, (v) any Refinancing Indebtedness is not secured by any assets other than the Collateral, (vi) the terms and conditions of any Refinancing Indebtedness (excluding pricing, interest rate margins, rate floors, discounts, fees and optional prepayment or redemption provisions) are not materially more favorable (when taken as whole) to the lenders or investors providing such Refinancing Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Credit Facility being refinanced (when taken as a whole) are to the applicable Lenders (as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith) (it being understood this limitation shall not restrict the addition of any financial maintenance covenant or other terms and conditions to such Refinancing Indebtedness to the extent such financial maintenance covenant or other terms and conditions, as the case may be, are added to, or apply only after the maturity of, the Credit Facilities remaining after the issuance of such Refinancing Indebtedness), and (vii) the other terms and conditions of such Refinancing Indebtedness reflect market terms and conditions at the time of incurrence or issuance (as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith).

3. CERTAIN PAYMENT PROVISIONS

 

Fees and Interest Rates:    As set forth on Annex I.
Optional Prepayments and Commitment Reductions:    Loans may be prepaid and Revolving Commitments may be reduced, in whole or in part without premium or penalty, in minimum amounts to be agreed, at the option of the Borrower at any time upon one day’s (or, in the case of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans (as defined in Annex I hereto), three days’)

 

B-6


   prior notice, subject to reimbursement of the Lenders’ redeployment costs in the case of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans prior to the last day of the relevant interest period. Optional prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied to the installments thereof as directed by the Borrower and may not be reborrowed.
Mandatory Prepayments:    Mandatory prepayments of Term Loans shall be required from:
   (a) 100% of the net cash proceeds from any non-ordinary course sale or other disposition of assets (including as a result of casualty or condemnation or sale/leaseback) by the Borrower and its subsidiaries in excess of an amount to be agreed (subject to exceptions and reinvestment rights to be agreed); and
   (b) 100% of the net cash proceeds from issuances or incurrences of debt by the Borrower and its subsidiaries (other than indebtedness permitted by the Credit Facilities).
   All mandatory prepayments of Term Loans will be applied to the remaining installments thereof in inverse order of maturity or as otherwise directed by the Borrower. Mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
   Any Lender may elect not to accept any mandatory prepayment (any such amount, a “Declined Amount”). Any Declined Amount may be retained by the Borrower.
4. COLLATERAL   
Collateral:    Subject to exclusions and limitations to be agreed and subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision and the provisions of the immediately following paragraphs, the obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors in respect of the Credit Facilities and, at the election of the Borrower, any swap agreements and cash management arrangements provided by any person that is a Lender (or any affiliate of a Lender) on the date such agreement or arrangement is entered into (or, in the case of agreements or arrangements in effect on the Closing Date, on the Closing Date) shall be secured by a perfected first priority security interest in all of its tangible and intangible assets (including, without limitation, intellectual property and all of the capital stock of its direct subsidiaries including the Borrower (limited, in the case of CFCs and FSHCOs, to 65% of the voting equity interests thereof)), in each case, other than Excluded Property (as defined below) and subject to permitted liens and certain customary exceptions.
   As used herein, the term “Excluded Property” shall refer to the following: (a) any rights or interest in any contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement covering personal property

 

B-7


  of Borrower or any Guarantor if under the terms of such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement, or applicable law with respect thereto, the grant of a security interest or lien therein is prohibited as a matter of law or under the terms of such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement and such prohibition or restriction has not been waived or the consent of the other party to such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement has not been obtained (provided, that, the foregoing exclusions of this clause (a) shall in no way be construed (x) to apply to the extent that any described prohibition or restriction is ineffective under Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, or 9-409 of any applicable Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law, or (y) to apply to the extent that any consent or waiver has been obtained that would permit the Administrative Agent’s security interest or lien to attach notwithstanding the prohibition or restriction on the pledge of such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement; (b) “margin stock”; (c) any United States intent-to-use trademark applications to the extent that, and solely during the period in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark applications under applicable federal law; (d) any fee owned real property and any real property leasehold rights and interests; (e) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title (except as to which perfection of the security interest therein can be accomplished solely by the filing of a UCC financing statement), letter of credit rights (except to the extent constituting a support obligation for other Collateral as to which perfection of the security interest in such other Collateral is accomplished solely by the filing of a UCC financing statement) and commercial tort claims; (f) equity interests of (x) unrestricted subsidiaries, immaterial subsidiaries, captive insurance subsidiaries, not-for-profit subsidiaries, and special purpose entities in connection with permitted securitization facilities or (y) any person (other than a wholly-owned subsidiary) if such pledge would violate any restriction (including, by any consent requirement) in its organizational or joint venture documents or any contract binding on such person; and (g) any other asset to the extent that the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the Borrower) reasonably determines that the costs (including any adverse tax consequences) to the grantors of providing such pledge are unreasonably excessive in relation to the benefits to Administrative Agent or Lenders of the security afforded thereby.
  It is understood and agreed that (i) no actions in any non-U.S. jurisdiction will be required to be taken to create any security interests in assets located or titled outside of the U.S. or to perfect or make enforceable any security interests in such assets (it being understood that there will be no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-U.S.

 

B-8


   jurisdiction), (ii) landlord waivers and access agreements shall not be required, (iii) deposit and securities account control agreements will not be required and (iv) perfection by control shall not be required other than with respect to promissory notes in excess of a principal amount to be agreed.
5. CERTAIN CONDITIONS   
Initial Conditions:    The availability of the Credit Facilities on the Closing Date will be subject only to the Exclusive Funding Conditions.
On-Going Conditions:    Subject to the Borrower’s right to make an LCA Election in connection with a borrowing under the Incremental Term Facility, after the Closing Date, the making of each Loan and the issuance of each Letter of Credit shall be conditioned upon (a) the accuracy in all material respects (and in all respects if qualified by materiality) of all representations and warranties in the Facilities Documentation and (b) there being no default or event of default in existence at the time of, or after giving effect to, such extension of credit.
6. DOCUMENTATION   
Facilities Documentation:    The definitive documentation for the Credit Facilities (the “Facilities Documentation”) shall contain solely those representations and warranties, covenants, events of default and conditions expressly set forth herein and shall otherwise be consistent with this Term Sheet.
Financial Covenants:    Limited to the following (the “Financial Covenants”) and tested quarterly, beginning on the last day of the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019:
  

(a)   a maximum total leverage ratio (the “Leverage Ratio”), defined as the ratio of (x) total indebtedness to (y) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (defined in a manner consistent with Annex II hereto) of 4.00 to 1.00, with step-downs as set forth in the table below:

 

    Fiscal Quarter Ending    Leverage Ratio
  March 31, 2019 – June 30, 2019    4.00 to 1.00
  September 30, 2019    3.75 to 1.00
  December 31, 2019 – March 31, 2020    3.50 to 1.00
  June 30, 2020 – September 30, 2020    3.25 to 1.00
  December 31, 2020 and thereafter    3.00 to 1.00

 

   ; and

 

B-9


  

(b)   a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”), defined as the ratio of (x) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to (y) total fixed charges (defined in a manner to be agreed upon), of 1.25 to 1.00.

Representations and Warranties:    Limited to solely the following (applicable to the Borrower and its restricted subsidiaries, to be made as provided in “CERTAIN CONDITIONS” described above), subject, in each case, in all respects to the Limited Conditionality Provision), in each case with customary materiality qualifiers, thresholds, exceptions, limitations and qualifications to be mutually agreed: financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) (after the Closing Date with respect to financial statements of the Target); absence of undisclosed liabilities (subject to a knowledge qualifier with respect to the Target); no material adverse change (after the Closing Date); corporate existence; compliance with material laws; corporate power and authority; enforceability of Facilities Documentation; no conflict with law or material contractual obligations; no material litigation; ownership of property; liens; intellectual property; taxes; Federal Reserve regulations; ERISA; Beneficial Ownership Regulation; anti-corruption laws and sanctions; Investment Company Act; subsidiaries; use of proceeds; environmental matters; accuracy of disclosure; creation and perfection of security interests; solvency as of the Closing Date (and such representation and warranty to be consistent with the solvency certificate attached to the Commitment Letter); and no Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution (to be defined in a customary manner).
Affirmative Covenants:    Subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision, and limited solely to the following (applicable to the Borrower and its restricted subsidiaries), in each case with customary materiality qualifiers, thresholds, exceptions, limitations and qualifications to be mutually agreed: delivery of annual and quarterly (other than the fourth quarter of any year) financial statements (with extensions for periods to be agreed following the Closing Date), accountants’ letters (which shall allow any “going concern” qualification or exception as a result of current maturity of indebtedness or, with respect to the Credit Facilities, non-compliance with any financial maintenance covenant), annual budgets, compliance certificates and other information requested by the Lenders (subject to customary carve-outs, including for attorney work product, attorney-client privilege and confidentiality); payment of material taxes and other material

 

B-10


   obligations; continuation of business and maintenance of existence and material rights and material privileges; compliance with laws and material contractual obligations; compliance with anti-corruption laws and sanctions; maintenance of property (other than ordinary wear and tear, casualty and condemnation) and adequate insurance; maintenance of books and records; right of the Lenders to inspect property and books and records; notices of defaults, material litigation and other material events; compliance with environmental laws; ERISA; designation of unrestricted subsidiaries; and further assurances (including, without limitation, with respect to security interests in after-acquired property).
Negative Covenants:    Negative covenants will apply to the Borrower and its restricted subsidiaries and will be limited solely to the following (it being agreed that certain monetary baskets in the negative covenants will include basket builders based on a percentage of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a percentage of total assets or leverage, as applicable): limitations on: indebtedness (including guarantee obligations); liens; mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; sales of assets; dividends and other payments in respect of capital stock (which, among other things, will include a general basket for stock buybacks and other restricted payments, subject to, after giving pro forma effect to such restricted payment, (i) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be greater than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00 and (ii) the Leverage Ratio shall be less than or equal to the lesser of (x) 3.25 to 1.00 and (y) 0.50 to 1.00 inside of the financial covenant set forth in clause (a) under the heading “Financial Covenants” above in effect at such time of determination); acquisitions, investments, loans and advances (which will include, among other things baskets for Permitted Acquisitions (as defined below), a general investment basket in an amount to be agreed and baskets for investments in unrestricted subsidiaries, joint ventures and other investments in similar businesses, in each case, in an amount to be agreed); prepayments and modifications of subordinated debt instruments; transactions with affiliates; changes in fiscal year (provided that the fiscal year of any subsidiary of the Borrower (including the Target and its subsidiaries) may be changed to match the fiscal year of the Borrower); negative pledge clauses and clauses restricting subsidiary distributions; changes in lines of business; and use of proceeds (as to anti-corruption laws and sanctions).
   Permitted Acquisition” shall be defined in the Facilities Documentation to mean any acquisition (including any investment in any person which serves to increase the Borrower’s or a restricted subsidiary’s ownership in such person), so long as (a) such acquisition is permitted under the changes in line of business covenant, (b) no payment or bankruptcy (with respect to the Borrower) event of default has

 

B-11


   occurred and is continuing at the relevant time (as determined based on whether the Borrower has made an LCA Election with respect to such acquisition), (c) subject to the Borrower’s right to make an LCA Election, after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition (and any incurrence or assumption of debt in connection therewith), (i) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be greater than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00 and (ii) the Leverage Ratio shall be less than or equal to the lesser of (x) 3.50 to 1.00 and (y) 0.25 to 1.00 inside of the financial covenant set forth in clause (a) under the heading “Financial Covenants” above in effect at such time of determination and (d) the acquired company and its subsidiaries (other than any subsidiaries of the acquired company designated as unrestricted subsidiaries) will become Guarantors and pledge their Collateral to the Administrative Agent, in each case to the extent required pursuant to the provisions of “Guarantors” and “Collateral” above; provided that the Facilities Documentation shall have limitations on acquisitions of assets that do not become Collateral and persons that do not become Guarantors.
Events of Default:    Limited solely to the following (applicable to the Borrower and its restricted subsidiaries), and subject to certain grace periods to be agreed and thresholds and materiality qualifications to be mutually agreed: nonpayment of principal when due; nonpayment of interest, fees or other amounts after a grace period to be agreed; material inaccuracy of a representation or warranty when made; violation of a covenant (subject, in the case of certain affirmative covenants, to a grace period to be agreed); cross-default to material indebtedness (after all applicable grace and notice periods have expired; bankruptcy events; certain ERISA events that would result in a Material Adverse Effect; final and nonappealable material judgments (in excess of insurance and third party indemnities); actual or asserted (by a Loan Party) invalidity of any material guarantee or material security document or non-perfection of any material security interest (other than to the extent a result of the action or inaction of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the other secured parties under the Facilities Documentation or their Related Parties); and a change of control (the definition of which is to be agreed).
Voting:    Amendments and waivers with respect to the Facilities Documentation shall require the approval of Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate amount of the Term Loans and Revolving Commitments (the “Required Lenders”), except that (a) the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (but not the Required Lenders) shall be required with respect to (i) reductions in the amount or extensions of the scheduled date of any amortization or final maturity of any Loan, (ii) reductions in the rate of interest or any fee or extensions of any due date thereof, (iii) increases in the amount or extensions of the expiry

 

B-12


   date of any Lender’s commitment (it being understood and agreed that the Facilities Documentation will contain customary “amend to extend” provisions) and (iv) changes in the pro rata sharing provisions and (b) the consent of 100% of the Lenders shall be required with respect to (i) reductions of any of the voting percentages, (ii) releases of all or substantially all the Collateral and (iii) releases of all or substantially all of the Guarantors.
   The Facilities Documentation shall contain customary provisions for replacing or pay off Loans and obligations in full owed to (as the Borrower shall elect) non-consenting Lenders in connection with amendments and waivers requiring the consent of all Lenders or of all Lenders directly affected thereby so long as the Required Lenders shall have consented thereto, any “defaulting” Lender or any Lender that has requested or is entitled to increased costs, taxes, etc.
Assignments and Participations:   
   The Lenders shall be permitted to assign all or a portion of their Loans and commitments with the consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, of (a) the Borrower, unless (i) (x) in the case of Term Loans, the assignee is a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an approved fund and (y) in the case of Revolving Commitments, the assignee is a Revolving Lender or (ii) a payment or bankruptcy (with respect to the Borrower) event of default has occurred and is continuing (provided that for any assignments of Term Loans for which the Borrower’s consent is required, such consent shall be deemed to have been given if the Borrower has not responded within ten business days of a written request for such consent), (b) the Administrative Agent, unless a Term Loan is being assigned to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an approved fund, and (c) any Issuing Lender, unless a Term Loan is being assigned. In the case of a partial assignment (other than to another Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an approved fund), the minimum assignment amount shall be $1,000,000 (in the case of the Term Loan Facility) and $5,000,000 (in the case of the Revolving Facility), in each case unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall receive a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 in connection with each assignment unless it waives such fee in its discretion. The Lenders shall also be permitted to sell participations in their Loans. Participants shall have the same benefits as the selling Lenders with respect to yield protection and increased cost provisions, subject to customary limitations (but not, in any event, in excess of the amount the applicable selling Lender would have been entitled to, except to the extent resulting from a change in law that occurs after the participant acquired the applicable participation). Voting rights of a participant shall be limited to

 

B-13


   those matters set forth in clause (a) in the first paragraph under the heading “Voting” above with respect to which the affirmative vote of the Lender from which it purchased its participation would be required. Pledges of Loans in accordance with applicable law shall be permitted without restriction. Assignments and participations may not be made or sold to (i) natural persons, (ii) the Borrower and its subsidiaries, (iii) defaulting Lenders or (iv) Disqualified Institutions; provided that the list of Disqualified Institutions shall be made available to the Lenders, prospective Lenders, and prospective assignees and participants (other than, in each case, any Disqualified Institutions) upon request.
   The Administrative Agent, in its capacity as such, shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Institution. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as such, shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or participant or prospective Lender or participant is a Disqualified Institution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to, or the restrictions on any exercise of rights or remedies of, any Disqualified Institution.
Yield Protection:    The Facilities Documentation shall contain customary provisions (a) protecting the Lenders against increased costs or loss of yield resulting from changes in reserve, tax, capital adequacy, liquidity requirements and other requirements of law (provided that (i) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or by United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, and (ii) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, shall in each case be deemed to be a change in law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented) and from the imposition of or changes in withholding or other taxes and (b) indemnifying the Lenders for “breakage costs” incurred in connection with, among other things, any prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan (as defined in Annex I) on a day other than the last day of an interest period with respect thereto.
Defaulting Lenders:    The Facilities Documentation shall contain provisions relating to “defaulting” Lenders (including provisions relating to reallocation of participations in, or the Borrower providing cash collateral to support, Letters of Credit, to the suspension of voting rights and rights to receive certain fees, and assignment

 

B-14


   of the Revolving Commitments or Loans of such Lenders or payment of Loans and obligations in full owed thereto (as the Borrower shall elect)).
Bail-in Provisions:    The Facilities Documentation shall contain customary EU bail-in provisions.
Expenses and Indemnification:    If Closing Date occurs, the Borrower shall pay (a) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger associated with the syndication of the Credit Facilities and the preparation, execution, delivery and administration of the Facilities Documentation and any amendment or waiver with respect thereto (including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel) and (b) all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including the fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel) in connection with the enforcement of the Facilities Documentation, in each case, subject to the limitations set forth in the Commitment Letter.
   The Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger and the Lenders (and their affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors and agents) will have no liability for, and will be indemnified and held harmless against, any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel) incurred in respect of the financing contemplated hereby or the use or the proposed use of proceeds thereof, except (i) to the extent they are found by a final, nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the relevant indemnified person (or its related parties), (ii) to the extent they are found by a final, nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the breach of a funding obligation or other material obligation under the Facilities Documentation by any indemnified person or (iii) any disputes brought by an indemnified person against any other indemnified person that do not involve an act or omission by the Borrower or any of its affiliates (other than any claims against an indemnified person in its capacity as the Administrative Agent or Lead Arranger).
Governing Law and Exclusive Forum:    New York; provided that the Merger Agreement Related Matters shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Merger Agreement Governing Law.
Counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Commitment Party:    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

 

B-15


Annex I to Exhibit B

INTEREST AND CERTAIN FEES

 

Interest Rate Options:    The Borrower may elect that the Loans comprising each borrowing bear interest at a rate per annum equal to:
  

the ABR plus the Applicable Margin; or

  

the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

   As used herein:
   ABR” means the highest of (i) the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan as its prime rate in effect (the “Prime Rate”), (ii) the NYFRB Rate from time to time plus 0.5% and (iii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month interest period plus 1%.
   “Adjusted LIBO Rate” means the LIBO Rate, as adjusted for statutory reserve requirements for eurocurrency liabilities.
   Applicable Margin” means, initially, 1.50%, if such Loans are ABR Loans, and 2.50%, if such Loans are Eurodollar Loans.
   The foregoing margins applicable to such Loans shall be subject to change after financial statements have been delivered for the fiscal quarter ending on or around March 31, 2019, by reference to the Leverage Ratio as set forth in the attached Pricing Grid.
   Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate, provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of calculating such rate.
   Interpolated Rate” means, at any time, for any interest period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the LIBO Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the LIBO Screen Rate for the longest period for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period; and (b) the LIBO Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that LIBO Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.


   LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any interest period, the LIBO Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such interest period; provided that if the LIBO Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such interest period (an “Impacted Interest Period”) then the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate.
   LIBO Screen Rate” means, for any day and time, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any interest period, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for U.S. Dollars for a period equal in length to such interest period as displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that if the LIBO Screen Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of calculating such rate.
   NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day; provided, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of calculating such rate.
   Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar Borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).
   The Credit Documentation will contain provisions to be mutually agreed (which, in any event, shall not require the affirmative consent of any Lender) with respect to a replacement of the LIBO Rate.
Interest Payment Dates:    In the case of Loans bearing interest based upon the ABR (“ABR Loans”), quarterly in arrears.
   In the case of Loans bearing interest based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate (“Eurodollar Loans”), on the last day of each relevant interest period and, in the case of any interest period longer than three months, on each successive date three months after the first day of such interest period. The Borrower may select interest periods for Eurodollar loans of one, two, three or six months (or, if acceptable to all relevant Lenders, twelve months or any shorter period); provided that, in the case of any borrowings on the Closing Date, the Borrower may select an interest period ending on a date to be agreed.

 

B-I-2


Commitment Fees:    The Borrower shall pay a commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum equal to, initially, 0.35% per annum on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Facility, payable quarterly in arrears.
   The foregoing commitment fee applicable to the unused portion of the Revolving Facility shall be subject to change after financial statements have been delivered for the fiscal quarter ending on or around March 31, 2019, by reference to the Leverage Ratio as set forth in the attached Pricing Grid.
Letter of Credit Fees:    The Borrower shall pay a commission on all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar Loans under the Revolving Facility on the undrawn face amount of each such Letter of Credit. Such commission shall be shared ratably among the Lenders (other than any defaulting Lenders) participating in the Revolving Facility and shall be payable quarterly in arrears.
   A fronting fee equal to 0.125% per annum on the face amount of each Letter of Credit shall be payable quarterly in arrears to the Issuing Lender for its own account. In addition, customary administrative, issuance, amendment, payment and negotiation charges shall be payable to the Issuing Lender for its own account.
Default Rate:    At any time when the Borrower is in default in the payment of any amount of principal due under the Credit Facilities, such overdue amount shall bear interest at 2% above the rate otherwise applicable thereto. Overdue interest, fees and other amounts shall bear interest at 2% above the rate applicable to ABR Loans.
Rate and Fee Basis:    All per annum rates shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days (or 365/366 days, in the case of ABR Loans the interest rate payable on which is then based on the Prime Rate) for actual days elapsed.

 

B-I-3


Pricing Grid

 

Level    Leverage Ratio   

Applicable
Margin

for Eurodollar
Loans

    Applicable
Margin for
ABR Loans
    Commitment
Fee
 
I    Less than 1.00 to 1.00      1.75     0.75     0.25
II    Greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00 and less than 2.00 to 1.00      2.00     1.00     0.30
III    Greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 and less than 2.75 to 1.00      2.25     1.25     0.30
IV    Greater than 2.75 to 1.00      2.50     1.50     0.35

 

B-I-4


Annex II to Exhibit B

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA will be calculated in a manner to be agreed but, in any event, will include add-backs for the following:

 

  (1)

depreciation and amortization expense;

 

  (2)

interest expense (including amortization of financing fees, debt issuance costs, interest or deferred financing or debt issuance costs, arrangement, commitment or upfront fees and original issue discount);

 

  (3)

provision for taxes paid or payable;

 

  (4)

the amount of any restructuring charges or reserve (including those relating to severance, relocation costs and one-time compensation charges), costs incurred in connection with any non-recurring strategic initiatives and other business optimization expenses (including incentive costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs and signing, retention and completion bonuses and any implementation of enterprise resource planning and technology initiatives (including any expense relating to the implementation of enhanced accounting or information technology functions)); provided that the aggregate amount of adjustments permitted to be made pursuant to this clause (4) and clause (14) below, shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for any test period (calculated before giving effect to such addbacks and adjustments);

 

  (5)

recruiting, signing, retention and completion bonuses and severance, relocation costs, facilities start-up costs and transition costs;

 

  (6)

any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges, expenses or losses (including, without limitation, losses on asset sales and litigation fees, costs, settlements, judgments and expenses);

 

  (7)

investment losses (minus investment gains increasing net income);

 

  (8)

non-cash impairment charges and expense (including all unit-specific, brand, goodwill or other intangible impairment charges and expense);

 

  (9)

(a) fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the execution of the Facilities Documentation and the other Transactions and fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with any amendment, restatement, waiver or other modification of the Facilities Documentation and (b) all other transaction-related expenses (including the fees, expenses and disbursements of appraisers, consultants, advisors, brokers, accountants and counsel) and all seller-related pre-closing and transaction-related costs and expenses relating to any acquisition, investment, dividend, restricted payment, disposition, recapitalization, merger, issuance, exchange or repayment of debt or equity or early extinguishment of debt, hedging agreements or other derivative instruments (in each case whether or not such transaction was successfully completed);

 

  (10)

[reserved];

 

  (11)

non-cash compensation charges and expense;

 

  (12)

other non-cash expenses or charges (other than any such non-cash charges that represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period) (or minus other non-cash income or gains, other than any income representing an accrual for income to be received in a future period);

 

  (13)

[reserved];


  (14)

pro forma adjustments, including pro forma “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, operational improvements and other synergies (in each case, net of amounts actually realized), related to (a) the Transactions that are reasonably identifiable and projected by the Borrower in good faith to result from actions that have been taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrower) within 12 months of the Closing Date or (b) any acquisition (including the commencement of activities constituting a business), disposition (including the termination or discontinuance of activities constituting a business) or other specified investment or transaction, or related to any restructuring initiative, cost savings initiative or other initiative that are reasonably identifiable and projected by the Borrower in good faith to result from actions that have been taken or with respect to which steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrower) within 12 months of such transaction; provided that the aggregate amount of adjustments permitted to be made pursuant to this clause (14) and clause (4) above, shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for any test period (calculated before giving effect to such addbacks and adjustments)

 

  (15)

gains and losses due to foreign exchange adjustments;

 

  (16)

(a) all gains and charges as a result of, or in connection with, sales, dispositions or abandonments of assets outside the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, asset retirement costs) and (b) charges from disposed, abandoned, divested and/or discontinued assets, properties or operations and/or discontinued operations (other than, at the option of the Borrower, assets or properties pending the divestiture or termination thereof);

 

  (17)

expenses or charges related to any equity offering, permitted investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or incurrence of permitted indebtedness (whether or not consummated);

 

  (18)

earn-out obligations incurred in connection with any permitted acquisition or other investment and paid or accrued during the applicable period and any related expenses;

 

  (19)

the amount of any charge that is reimbursable by any third party pursuant to indemnification or expense reimbursement provisions or similar agreements or insurance (whether or not then received so long as the Borrower in good faith expects to receive such proceeds within the next four fiscal quarters);

 

  (20)

(a) any losses (or minus any gains) resulting from mark to market accounting of swap contracts or other derivative instruments and (b) any net loss (less all fees and expenses or charges related thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness (and the termination of any associated hedging arrangements and/or other derivative instruments);

 

  (21)

any loss or expense resulting from the effects of purchase accounting;

 

  (22)

other items recorded under “other income expense” in the Borrower’s financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that the aggregate amount of adjustments permitted to be made pursuant to this clause (22), shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for any test period (calculated before giving effect to such addbacks and adjustments); and

 

  (23)

proceeds of business interruption insurance in an amount representing the earnings for the applicable period that such proceeds are intended to replace (whether or not then received so long as the Borrower in good faith expects to receive such proceeds within the next four fiscal quarters).

 

B-II-2


EXHIBIT C

PROJECT SUPERNOVA

Conditions

The availability of the Credit Facilities shall be subject solely to the satisfaction (or waiver by the Commitment Party) of the following conditions (in each case, subject to the Limited Conditionality Provisions) (collectively, the “Exclusive Funding Conditions”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit C shall have the meanings set forth in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit C is attached and in Exhibits A and B thereto.

1.    The Loan Parties shall have executed and delivered the Facilities Documentation on terms consistent with the Commitment Letter (including the Limited Conditionality Provisions) and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to both the Loan Parties and the Commitment Party, and the Commitment Party shall have received:

 

  a.

a customary legal opinion, customary officer’s closing certificates certifying organizational documents and customary evidence of authorization and good standing certificates in jurisdictions of formation/organization (to the extent such concept exists in the applicable jurisdiction), in each case with respect to the Borrower and the Guarantors, and a customary officer’s closing certificate certifying satisfaction of the condition set forth in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of this Exhibit C;

 

  b.

a solvency certificate from the chief financial officer or other officer with equivalent responsibility of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto; and

 

  c.

a customary borrowing notice (which shall not be required to include any representation or statement as to the absence (or existence) of any default or event of default).

2.    Since the date of the Merger Agreement, there shall not have occurred, or be continuing, a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

3.    The Acquisition shall be consummated in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Credit Facilities, without giving effect to any amendments, consents, waivers or other modifications thereto that are materially adverse to the Lenders or the Lead Arranger without the prior written consent of the Commitment Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied or conditioned) (it being understood that (a) any reduction in the purchase price of, or consideration for, the Acquisition is not materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders or the Lead Arranger so long as such reduction is less than 10% of the total amount thereof and (b) any increase in purchase price shall be deemed to not be materially adverse to the Lenders or the Lead Arranger so long as such increase is funded solely by cash on hand (including as a result of drawings under the Revolving Facility in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million) (it being understood and agreed that no purchase price, working capital adjustment or similar adjustment provisions set forth in the Merger Agreement shall constitute a reduction or increase in the purchase price).

4.    The Specified Merger Agreement Representations and the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects.


5.    The Commitment Party shall have received (a) audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of (i) the Borrower and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 and (ii) the Target and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2016, March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, and (b) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of (i) the Borrower and its subsidiaries, for each subsequent fiscal quarter ended after December 31, 2017 and at least 45 days before the Closing Date (other than the fourth fiscal quarter of any year) and (ii) the Target and its subsidiaries, for each subsequent fiscal quarter ended after March 31, 2017 and at least 45 days before the Closing Date (other than the fourth fiscal quarter of any year); provided that filing of the required financial statements on form 10-K and form 10-Q by the Borrower will satisfy the foregoing requirements as to the Borrower and its subsidiaries. The Commitment Party hereby acknowledges that it has received (x) the financial statements referred to in clause (a) of this paragraph, (y) the financial statements referred to in clauses (b)(i) for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018, and (z) the financial statements referred to in clauses (b)(ii) for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018.

6.    The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least 3 days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information about the Loan Parties as has been reasonably requested in writing at least 10 business days prior to the Closing Date by the Administrative Agent or the Lead Arranger that they reasonably determine is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. The Commitment Party hereby acknowledges this condition has been satisfied as of the date hereof in respect of the Loan Parties in existence as of the date hereof.

7.    All fees required to be paid on the Closing Date pursuant to the Fee Letter and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed on the Closing Date pursuant to the Commitment Letter, to the extent invoiced at least three business days prior to the Closing Date, shall have been paid or shall have been authorized to be deducted from the proceeds of the initial fundings under the Credit Facilities.

8.    Subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision, all documents and instruments necessary to create and perfect a first priority security interest (subject to liens permitted under the Facilities Documentation) in the Collateral under the Credit Facilities shall have been delivered by the Loan Parties to the extent required to be delivered by the Loan Parties on the Closing Date.

9.    The Closing Date shall not occur prior to January 3, 2019.

 

C-2


EXHIBIT D

Form of Solvency Certificate

Date: [                    ]

Reference is made to Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (“Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto as lenders, JPMorgan, as administrative agent, and the other agents party thereto.

Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement. This certificate is furnished pursuant to Section [    ] of the Credit Agreement.

Solely in my capacity as a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and not individually (and without personal liability), I hereby certify, that as of the date hereof, after giving pro forma effect to the consummation of the Transactions:

 

  1.

The amount of the “present fair saleable value” of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all “liabilities of such Persons, contingent or otherwise”, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors.

 

  2.

The present fair saleable value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured, taking into account refinancing alternatives.

 

  3.

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will not have an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct their business.

 

  4.

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will be able to pay their debts as they mature.

For purposes of this Certificate, (i) “debt” means liability on a “claim,” (ii) “claim” means any (x) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured and (iii) the amount of any contingent liability has been computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing as of the date hereof, represents the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability in the ordinary course of business.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certificate this as of the date first written above.

 

[BORROWER]
By:  

         

Name:  
Title:  

 

D-2

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Forrester To Acquire SiriusDecisions

Creates a robust platform guiding companies to drive growth in the age of the customer

Expansion opportunities across industries and regions

Immediately accretive to pro forma EBITDA and EPS

Cambridge, MA and Wilton, CT – November 27, 2018 – Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SiriusDecisions, a leading business-to-business research and advisory firm, for $245 million in cash, subject to adjustment. The combination of Forrester and SiriusDecisions creates an innovative strategy and operations platform that can help business and technology leaders make the far-reaching changes needed to adapt to a customer-led, disruption-rich market while maximizing performance every day.

“Today’s announcement was driven by our clients,” said George F. Colony, Forrester’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Empowered customers and the disruptive power of technology are forcing business and technology leaders to take decisive action and make deep-rooted changes while delivering quarterly results. The combined value of Forrester’s strategic and SiriusDecisions’ operational capabilities will help our clients change and grow in tumultuous times.”

“We’re excited about joining forces with Forrester,” said John Neeson, SiriusDecisions’ cofounder and co-CEO. “Allying with Forrester changes the game for our clients and accelerates our growth across industries, regions, and business functions. Beyond the powerful synergies of our two firms what will make this work is our shared passion for our clients’ success,” added Rich Eldh, SiriusDecisions’ cofounder and co-CEO.

Forrester works with business and technology leaders to build customer-obsessed strategies. SiriusDecisions focuses on optimizing marketing, sales, and product operations. CMOs of business-to-business companies operate “The Sirius Way” — a methodology grounded in fact-based best practices that has become the standard across industries, including high tech and advanced manufacturing. Together, Forrester and SiriusDecisions will enable companies to know what they should do, why they should do it, and how to do it.

This deal opens up a number of opportunities for Forrester expansion:

1) Cross-selling services. Forrester and SiriusDecisions client bases will benefit from broader access to research and advisory content, data, and tools.

2) Accelerating international growth plans. Forrester’s global sales force and channels will widen the distribution of SiriusDecisions’ products in EMEA and APAC.

3) Expanding SiriusDecisions’ platform, methodologies, data, and best-practices tools to new roles. Forrester will extend the SiriusDecisions platform beyond marketing, sales, and product to roles in IT and customer experience.


4) Expanding SiriusDecisions to new vertical markets. Forrester’s growing penetration in industries such as financial services, retail, healthcare, energy and utilities serve as natural areas of expansion for “The Sirius Way.”

With the SiriusDecisions acquisition, Forrester’s addressable market in strategy of $20 billion approximately doubles to $40 billion with the addition of operations. Adding operational expertise to Forrester’s strategy expertise will drive new business, renewal rates, and the ability to enrich existing contracts with additional services.

“The addition of SiriusDecisions is expected to add approximately $100 million to Forrester’s revenue in 2019 on a pro forma basis and is expected to be $0.10 to $0.20 accretive to our 2019 pro forma EPS,” said Michael Doyle, Forrester’s chief financial officer. “Additional financial information will be provided during our call today and with the investor presentation that is posted on our website.”

The transaction is expected to close in January 2019 and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory filings. The transaction is expected to be funded through a combination of cash on hand and up to $175 million of fully committed debt financing to be provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and a syndicate of other lenders.

William Blair & Company is serving as financial advisor to Forrester, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as legal counsel. Centerview Partners LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to SiriusDecisions, and DLA Piper is serving as legal counsel.

“Digitally-savvy customers are changing the rules of business, creating extraordinary opportunity for companies that adapt and existential threat to those that don’t,” said Mr. Colony. “The combined company creates a robust platform to help our clients not only navigate these rough waters but thrive in the age of the customer.”

Conference Call and Webcast

Forrester will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss the transaction. The dial-in number for the conference call is (888) 517-2470 or 1 (630) 827-6818. The participant passcode is 5564713. The call will be available via webcast at forrester.com. For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available on Forrester’s website.

About Forrester

Forrester Research is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We work with business and technology leaders to develop customer-obsessed strategies that drive growth. Forrester’s unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 675,000 consumers and business leaders worldwide, rigorous and objective methodologies, and the shared wisdom of our most innovative clients. Through proprietary research, data, custom consulting, exclusive executive peer groups, and events, the Forrester experience is about a singular and powerful purpose: to challenge the thinking of our clients to help them lead change in their organizations. For more information, visit forrester.com.

About SiriusDecisions

SiriusDecisions helps business-to-business companies worldwide by delivering the actionable intelligence, transformative frameworks and expert guidance that equip executives to modernize and elevate sales, marketing and product performance. Management teams make more informed business decisions through access to our industry analysts, best practice research, benchmark data, peer networks, events and continuous learning courses. SiriusDecisions is based in Wilton, CT with offices in Austin, London, San Francisco, Singapore, Toronto and Waltham, MA. For more information, visit siriusdecisions.com.


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, expectations that Forrester’s acquisition of SiriusDecisions will be accretive to earnings, statements about the success of operational improvements, and statements about Forrester’s future financial performance and financial condition. These statements are based on Forrester’s current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual future activities and results to differ include, among others, Forrester’s ability to retain and enrich memberships for its research products and services, demand for advisory and consulting services, technology spending, Forrester’s ability to respond to business and economic conditions and market trends, Forrester’s ability to develop and offer new products and services, the risks and challenges inherent in international business activities, competition and industry consolidation, the ability to attract and retain professional staff, Forrester’s dependence on key personnel, Forrester’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits from recent internal reorganizations, the possibility of network disruptions and security breaches, Forrester’s ability to enforce and protect its intellectual property, and possible variations in Forrester’s quarterly operating results. Dividend declarations are at the discretion of Forrester’s board of directors, and plans for future dividends may be revised by the board at any time.

In addition, there are significant risks and uncertainties relating to Forrester’s proposed acquisition and ownership of SiriusDecisions, including the failure to receive, on a timely basis or otherwise, the required approvals from government and regulatory authorities in connection with the transaction, and the terms of those approvals; the representations and warranties provided by SiriusDecisions and the indemnifications by the sellers of SiriusDecisions are limited in the definitive transaction documents, and, as a result, the assumptions on which its estimates of future results of the business have been based may prove to be incorrect in a number of material ways, which could result in an inability to realize the expected benefits of the acquisition or exposure to material liabilities; using debt to finance, in part, the acquisition will substantially increase Forrester’s indebtedness; Forrester’s obligation to close the acquisition is not conditioned on the completion of its debt financing, and, under certain circumstances, if Forrester fails to satisfy its obligation to consummate the acquisition, Forrester may be required to pay a termination fee that could have an adverse effect on Forrester’s ability to fund its operations; and the inability of Forrester to successfully integrate the operations of SiriusDecisions and realize anticipated benefits of the acquisition. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward-looking statements contained herein. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on Forrester’s future results.

Forrester undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information, please refer to Forrester’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

###

EX-99.2

Slide 1

Exhibit 99.2


Slide 2

Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this document may be characterized as forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, Forrester’s statements regarding the benefits of the SiriusDecisions transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction and the products and markets of each company.  These statements are based on Forrester's current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual future activities and results to differ include, among others, the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect Forrester’s business and the price of the common stock of Forrester; the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the receipt of certain regulatory approval; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement;  the risk that SiriusDecisions will not be integrated successfully; the ability of Forrester to successfully integrate SiriusDecisions’ operations, products, services; the risk that Forrester following this transaction will not realize its financing or operating strategies; and the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Forrester or SiriusDecisions related to the merger agreement or the transaction.  Forrester undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information, please refer to Forrester's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 


Slide 3

Today’s speakers George Colony CEO and Chairman of the Board Mike Doyle Chief Financial Officer


Slide 4


Slide 5

SiriusDecisions Founded in 2001 by John Neeson and Rich Eldh Revenue of $87 million, trailing 12-month basis, growing 22% 340 employees, 1,400 accounts, primarily in North America Serving business-to-business CMOs, CSOs, and Product Heads Research, Events, Consulting The Sirius Way Methodologies for marketing, sales, and product management Fact-based research based on user data and best practices.


Slide 6

Forrester Unique Value Proposition “We work with business and technology leaders to develop customer-obsessed strategies that drive growth.”


Slide 7

Forrester + SiriusDecisions Unique Value Proposition “We work with business and technology leaders to develop customer-obsessed strategies and operations that drive growth.”


Slide 8

Strategy + Operations


Slide 9

Our clients will now know what to do, and how to do it.


Slide 10

Opportunity One: Cross-Sell Sell SiriusDecisions to Forrester clients Sell Forrester to SiriusDecisions clients.


Slide 11

278 overlapping accounts 3,500 accounts 1,400 accounts


Slide 12

Opportunity Two: New Roles B2B CMOs B2B CSOs B2B Product Heads CIOs Customer Experience Leaders B-to-C CMOs …and their teams. SiriusDecisions product covers… SiriusDecisions product extended to…


Slide 13

Opportunity Three: Global Sell SiriusDecisions in Europe and Asia.


Slide 14

Forrester’s global footprint Forrester offices SiriusDecisions offices


Slide 15

Opportunity Four: New Verticals Expand SiriusDecisions beyond Tech and Advanced Manufacturing to Financial Services, Healthcare, and other industries.


Slide 16

Opportunity Five: Scale Serve more clients, with more value Eliminate duplicate office locations Gain efficiency by consolidating support functions Leverage best practices from both companies Leverage tech investments Be more innovative.


Slide 17

Transaction Overview Purchase price: $245 million, subject to customary adjustments Revenue multiple: 2.8 times trailing 12 months Financing: $175 million in debt, $70 million in cash Suspend dividend and reduce share buybacks in 2019 to minimize debt service impact to cash flow Expected close in January 2019 Lead banker for financing: JP Morgan Investment banker: William Blair Legal counsel: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.


Slide 18

SiriusDecisions Financial Highlights Building for top-line growth Trailing 12-month revenue of $87 million as of 9/30 Trailing 12-month revenue growth of 22% Major growth investments substantially complete Trailing twelve month EBITDA of $8 million as of 9/30 Similar business Highly syndicated recurring revenue model Limits integration risk 340 employees, primarily based in North America Is expected to contribute ~$100 million to pro forma revenue and be accretive to pro forma EPS in 2019 in the range of $0.10-$0.20 per share.


Slide 19

Two Powerful New Platforms Fueling Our Growth… The Real-Time Customer Experience Cloud FeedbackNow Glimpzit The Sirius Way SiriusDecisions.


Slide 20