Exhibit 10.2
Execution Version
MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and among
XL HYBRIDS, INC., as the Buyer,
WORLD ENERGY EFFICIENCY SERVICES, LLC, as the Company,
THE HOLDERS OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY, as the Sellers,
DANNY WADHWANI AND DINESH WADHWANI, as the Guarantors,
XL FLEET CORP., as the Parent
and
Richard Galipeau, as the Sellers’ Representative
* * * *
Dated as of May 17, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. | Definitions; Interpretations. | 1 |
(a) | Definitions. | 1 |
(b) | Accounting Provisions | 17 |
(c) | Interpretation | 17 |
2. | Purchase and Sale; Closing. | 18 |
(a) | Purchase and Sale. | 18 |
(b) | Payments at Closing | 18 |
(c) | Closing. | 19 |
(d) | Purchase Price Adjustment. | 19 |
(e) | The Sellers’ Representative. | 21 |
(f) | Earnout. | 23 |
(g) | Parent Share Amount Issuance. | 24 |
(h) | Tax Allocations | 25 |
3. | Representations and Warranties of the Sellers and the Buyer. | 25 |
(a) | Representations and Warranties of the Sellers | 25 |
(b) | Representations and Warranties of the Buyer and the Parent | 28 |
4. | Representations and Warranties of the Company. | 29 |
(a) | Due Organization; Qualification; Limited Liability Company Power | 29 |
(b) | Power and Authority; Execution and Delivery; Due Authorization | 29 |
(c) | Noncontravention | 30 |
(d) | Certain Fees | 30 |
(e) | Capitalization; Subsidiaries | 30 |
(f) | Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities. | 30 |
(g) | Recent Events | 31 |
(h) | Litigation; Orders | 33 |
(i) | Compliance with Laws and Permits. | 33 |
(j) | Material Contracts. | 33 |
(k) | Title to Assets | 35 |
(l) | Condition and Possession of Personal Tangible Assets | 36 |
(m) | Real Property. | 36 |
(n) | Intellectual Property. | 37 |
(o) | Privacy; Data Security. | 39 |
(p) | Information Technology. | 39 |
(q) | Tax Matters. | 40 |
(r) | Labor Matters. | 43 |
(s) | Employee Benefits. | 45 |
(t) | Customers and Suppliers. | 47 |
(u) | Insurance. | 48 |
(v) | Related Party Transactions. | 48 |
(w) | Environmental Matters. | 49 |
(x) | Product Liability, Warranties, and Returns. | 50 |
(y) | Accounts Receivable. | 51 |
(z) | CARES Act Matters. | 51 |
(aa) | No Other Representations and Warranties. | 51 |
i
5. | Covenants. | 52 |
(a) | Further Assurances | 52 |
(b) | Litigation Support | 52 |
(c) | Preservation of Books and Records | 52 |
(d) | Confidentiality | 53 |
(e) | Tax Matters. | 53 |
(f) | Restrictive Covenants. | 57 |
(g) | Company Operating Agreement. | 59 |
(h) | Parent Shares. | 59 |
6. | Closing Deliverables. | 60 |
(a) | Deliverables of the Sellers’ Representative, the Sellers and the Company. | 60 |
(b) | Deliverables of the Buyer. | 61 |
7. | Indemnification. | 61 |
(a) | Survival Periods | 61 |
(b) | Seller Indemnities | 62 |
(c) | Buyer Indemnities | 62 |
(d) | Direct Claims; Third Party Claims. | 63 |
(e) | Additional Indemnification Provisions. | 65 |
(f) | Limitations on Seller Indemnities | 66 |
(g) | Limitations on Buyer Indemnities | 66 |
(h) | Mitigation; Reductions of Losses | 67 |
(i) | Exclusive Remedy | 67 |
(j) | Manner of Payment. | 68 |
(k) | Tax Treatment. | 68 |
8. | Miscellaneous. | 68 |
(a) | Press Releases and Public Announcements | 68 |
(b) | Third-Party Beneficiaries | 69 |
(c) | Entire Agreement | 69 |
(d) | Successors and Assigns | 69 |
(e) | Counterparts | 69 |
(f) | Notices | 69 |
(g) | GOVERNING LAW | 71 |
(h) | SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 71 |
(i) | Amendments | 71 |
(j) | Severability | 71 |
(k) | Expenses | 72 |
(l) | Incorporation of Exhibits, Schedules, and Annexes | 72 |
(m) | Release | 72 |
(n) | Conflicts/Privilege | 72 |
(o) | Guarantees. | 74 |
Exhibit A | Working Capital Methodology |
Exhibit B | Tax Allocation Methodology |
Schedule I | Allocable Percentages |
Schedule 6(a) | Required Consents |
Schedule 7(b) | Additional Seller Indemnities |
Disclosure Schedules |
ii
MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of May 17, 2021 by and among XL Hybrids, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Buyer”), World Energy Efficiency Services, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company (the “Company”), the Persons (as hereinafter defined) listed under the heading “Sellers” on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “Sellers”), the Persons listed under the heading “Guarantors” on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “Guarantors”), XL Fleet Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”) and Richard Galipeau, in his capacity as representative of the Sellers (the “Sellers’ Representative” and, together with the Buyer, the Company, the Sellers, the Guarantors and the Parent, collectively, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Sellers collectively hold all of the issued and outstanding Interests (as hereinafter defined);
WHEREAS, the Sellers desire to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer desires to purchase from the Sellers, the Interests, in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements as set forth more particularly herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein made, and in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements herein contained, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions; Interpretations.
(a) Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below when capitalized herein:
“Accounting Principles” means GAAP, unless stated expressly otherwise herein, applied on a basis consistent with the accounting principles, practices and methdologies (to the extent not in contravention of GAAP) used in preparing the 2020 Year-End Financial Statements.
“Acquisition Engagement” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(n).
“Action” means any action, claim, counterclaim, demand, charge, complaint, suit or other dispute resolution or proceeding, whether judicial, administrative or arbitrative, whether civil or criminal, whether brought at equity or at law, and whether brought by a Governmental Authority or any other Person, in each case, by or before a Governmental Authority.
“Adjustment Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(ii).
“Adjustment Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(ii).
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controls” and “controlled”) 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 ownership of voting securities, by Contract, or otherwise.
“Affiliated Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(q)(vii)(C).
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Allocable Percentage” means, with respect to each Seller, the percentage set forth opposite such Seller’s name under the heading “Allocable Percentage” on Schedule I.
“Ancillary Agreement” means the PPP Escrow Agreement, the Employment Agreements and each Ancillary Certificate, and each other agreement, executed and delivered by a Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
“Ancillary Certificate” means each certificate or affidavit delivered, or to be delivered, under this Agreement, pursuant to Section 6.
“Banker” means Energy M&A, LLC.
“Banker Parent Shares” means 36,960 Parent Shares.
“Banker Representation Letter” means that certain letter agreement, dated the date hereof, by and between Parent and the Banker.
“Base Cash Purchase Price” means $8,000,000.
“Basket Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(f)(i).
“Business” means the business of assessing, building, designing, developing, engineering, arranging financing and/or managing projects that save energy, reduce energy costs and/or decrease operations and maintenance costs at business facilities.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which banks in Boston, Massachusetts are authorized or obligated by Law to close.
“Business Employees” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(r)(i).
“Buyer” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Buyer Adjustment Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iv).
2
“Buyer Indemnified Party” means the Buyer, the Company, and their respective Affiliates and Representatives, and the successors and permitted assigns of all the foregoing.
“Buyer Indemnity” means an indemnification obligation pursuant to Section 7(c).
“Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(f)(i).
“Capitalized Lease Obligations” means obligations pursuant to a lease that is, or is required in accordance with GAAP to be, classified as a capitalized lease obligation.
“CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and any similar or conforming legislation in any U.S. jurisdiction, and any subsequent legislation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act.
“CARES Act Programs” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(z).
“Cash” means, without duplication, the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents (including certificates of deposit, marketable securities, and short term investments), minus the aggregate amount of any such cash and cash equivalents consisting of security deposits held by the Company in favor of third parties (including any unearned customer deposits) or that are “restricted”, held in escrow, or otherwise subject to a Lien, in each case of the Company as of the Determination Time, calculated in accordance with the Accounting Principles (as in effect as of the Determination Time), subject to Section 2(d)(viii). The calculation of Cash (i) shall be made without giving effect to Cash funded by or on behalf of the Buyer at the Closing, and (ii) may result in a positive or negative number. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the calculation of Cash shall be (x) reduced by the amount of any drawn but uncashed checks, drafts, disbursements, or other uncompleted transfers of Cash by the Company as of the Determination Time and (y) increased by any drawn but uncashed checks, drafts, disbursements, or other uncompleted transfers of Cash in favor of the Company as of the Determination Time.
“Cause” means (a) any failure by a Person to cooperate, if reasonably requested by the Company, with any investigation or inquiry into such Person’s or the Company’s business practices, whether internal or external, including, but not limited to, the Person’s refusal to be deposed or to provide testimony at any trial or inquiry; (b) a Person engaging in fraud, willful misconduct, or dishonesty that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in material injury to the Company or any of its affiliates; (c) any breach by a Person of such Person’s fiduciary duty owed to the Company or any of its Affiliates or equity holders which is reasonably expected to result in material injury to the Company or any of its Affiliates or equity holders; (d) a Person’s conviction of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime that constitutes a felony.
“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. §9601, et. seq.
“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).
“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).
3
“Closing Distribution Amount” means an amount equal to (i) the Estimated Cash Purchase Price, minus (ii) the PPP Escrow Amount, minus (iii) Estimated Funded Indebtedness, minus (iv) Estimated Company Transaction Expenses.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Company Counsel” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(n).
“Company Intellectual Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(n)(iii).
“Company Operating Agreement” means that certain Operating Agreement, dated as of September 18, 2015, by and among the Company and the Members (as defined therein) party thereto, as amended.
“Company Permit” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(i)(ii).
“Company Product” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(x)(i).
“Company Real Property” means all real property currently or formerly owned, leased, or operated by the Company.
“Company Transaction Expenses” means, without duplication, the aggregate amount of (i) fees, costs, expenses, commissions, liabilities, and similar amounts incurred by the Company prior to or at the Closing payable to brokers, finders, investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, or other agents, advisors, consultants, experts, or service providers (including the Banker) in connection with the Transaction or the process of selling the Company, (ii) transaction bonuses, change-of-control and success payments, severance rights, deferred compensation payments, salary continuation, retention payments, withdrawal liability under multiemployer plans, and other transaction-related compensatory payments payable or that will become payable (whether prior to, at, or following the Closing) by the Company to any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, or independent contractor of the Company, or any other Person, in each case, in connection with the Transaction, and (iii) the employer portion of any applicable Federal Insurance Contributions Act, state, local or foreign payroll Taxes imposed on the Company in respect of any payments made under the foregoing clause (ii), but in each case within the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), excluding (A) fees, costs, expenses, commissions, bonuses, or other payments (including related to any debt financing) that are incurred, implemented, or become payable pursuant to actions taken or arrangements implemented following the Closing, (B) fees, costs, expenses, commissions, bonuses, or other payments that are paid prior to the Closing or that otherwise reduce the amount included in Cash, and (C) any liabilities included in the calculation of Working Capital or Funded Indebtedness.
“Computer Hardware” means any computer hardware, equipment, and peripherals of any kind and of any platform, including desktop and laptop personal computers, handheld computerized devices, servers, mid-range and mainframe computers, process control and distributed control systems, and all network and other communications and telecommunications equipment and peripheral devices the operations of which are dependent upon the execution of Computer Software.
4
“Computer Software” means any and all computer programs, including operating system and applications software, implementations of algorithms, and program interfaces, whether in source code or object code form, and all documentation, including user manuals relating to any of the foregoing.
“Conduct of the Business” means the conduct of the Business as currently conducted.
“Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(d).
“Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2021, between the Company and Parent.
“Consent” means:
(i) with respect to any Governmental Authority, any consent required to be obtained, or notice, payment, or filing required to be made, in each case that if not obtained or made would (with or without notice, lapse of time, or both) (A) violate any Law promulgated or enforced by such Governmental Authority, or (B) conflict with, result in a breach of, give rise to any right to terminate, revoke, suspend, limit, or adversely modify, or result in the loss of any other rights under, any Permit issued by such Governmental Authority; and
(ii) with respect to any Contract (including any insurance policy), any consent required to be obtained, or notice, payment, or filing required to be made, in each case that if not obtained or made would (with or without notice, lapse of time, or both) conflict with, or result in a breach of, such Contract, and any waiver that if not obtained would give rise to any right to terminate, accelerate, or adversely modify, or result in the loss of any other rights under such Contract.
“Contract” means, with respect to any Person, any contract, purchase order, lease, license, instrument, settlement agreement, or other agreement, commitment, or arrangement, whether written or oral, in each case (i) that is binding on such Person, (ii) to which such Person’s assets are subject, and/or (iii) in which such Person has any right or interest.
“Copyrights” means works of authorship, including exclusive exploitation rights, moral rights, mask works, and copyrights, whether registered or unregistered, and including copyrights in Computer Software.
“Customer Data” means all information and data supplied by a customer or prospective customer of a Person, or on such customer’s or prospective customer’s behalf, for processing, sharing or storing, and all information created or derived from or making use of such information or data, or otherwise in connection with services provided to or performed for such customer or prospective customer, or products sold or marketed to such customer or prospective customer. Customer Data includes all Personal Information pertaining to individual consumers or employees of a customer.
5
“Dandin” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(o).
“Determination Time” means 12:01 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on the Closing Date.
“Disability” means a physical or mental disability that prevents, regardless of any reasonable accommodation, the performance by any Person of such Person’s duties for 180 days or more in any 12-month period.
“Disabling Devices” means computer software viruses, time bombs, logic bombs, Trojan horses, trap doors, back doors, ransomware, spyware, adware, scareware, or other computer instructions, intentional devices or techniques that are designed to threaten, infect, assault, vandalize, defraud, disrupt, damage, disable, maliciously encumber, hack into, incapacitate, infiltrate or slow or shut down a computer system or any component of such computer system, including any such device affecting system security or compromising or disclosing user data.
“Disputed Items” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iii).
“Domain Name” means a string of characters and/or numbers used to identify a particular internet protocol address or uniform resource locator.
“Earnout Amount” means such amount as calculated in accordance with Section 2(f).
“Earnout Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f).
“Earnout Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f).
“Employee PII” means all data and information pertaining to the Company’s current, former and prospective employees and independent contractors, including personally identifiable information, benefits and health carte information maintained as part of the Business.
“Employee Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in ERISA §3(3)), whether or not subject to ERISA, and each employment, individual consulting or individual independent contractor, restrictive covenant (including confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation), bonus, incentive, option, equity purchase or other equity-based compensation, deferred compensation, loan, severance, termination, retention, change of control, collective bargaining or other agreement with any works council or association, profit sharing, pension, retirement, 401(k), vacation or other paid or unpaid leave, medical or other welfare, disability, fringe benefit, and any other employee or retiree benefit or compensation agreement, arrangement, plan, program, policy, funding mechanism, reimbursement arrangement or other arrangement, whether or not subject to ERISA or written or unwritten or legally binding or not, in each case, (i) that is maintained, sponsored, contributed to or entered into by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate for the benefit of any current or former employee, officer, director, or individual independent contractor of the Company, or the beneficiaries or dependents of any such individual, or (ii) under which the Company may have any material Liability.
6
“Employment Agreements” means those certain Employment Agreements, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Company and each of Richard Galipeau and Michael Santangelo.
“Enforceability Exceptions” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(ii).
“entity” means a Person other than an individual.
“Environmental Law” means any Law relating to Hazardous Materials, pollution control, pollution, contamination, cleanup, preservation, protection, or reclamation of the environment.
“Equity Equivalents” means, with respect to any Person, (i) capital stock, membership or partnership interests or units, and any other equity interests issued by such Person, (ii) stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation, rights to be allocated or receive any profits, loss, income, dividends, or distributions, and similar rights with respect to such Person, and (iii) options, warrants, call rights, purchase rights, subscription rights, preemptive rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, or other Contracts that could require such Person to issue, sell, or otherwise cause to become outstanding any of the items referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii).
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business, whether or not incorporated, that, together with the Company, is or would have been, at any date of determination occurring within the preceding six (6) years, treated as a single employer within the meaning of §414 of the Code.
“Estimated Balance Sheet” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(i).
“Estimated Cash” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(i)(B).
“Estimated Company Transaction Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(i)(D).
“Estimated Funded Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(i)(C).
“Estimated Cash Purchase Price” means an amount equal to (i) the Base Cash Purchase Price, plus (ii) Estimated Cash, plus (iii) the amount of the excess, if any, of Estimated Working Capital over Target Working Capital, or minus (iv) the amount of the shortfall, if any, of Estimated Working Capital below Target Working Capital.
“Estimated Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(i).
“Estimated Working Capital” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(i)(A).
“Expiration Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).
“Fair Market Value” means the average of the volume-weighted average prices of Parent Shares reported on the New York Stock Exchange for the last 30 trading days ending on May 13, 2021.
7
“Family Member” means, with respect to any natural person, such natural person’s spouse, sibling, ancestor, descendant, cousin, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, great-uncle, great-aunt, great-nephew, or great-niece (including “step” relationships, “in-law” relationships, and adoptive relationships).
“Final Cash” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iii).
“Final Cash Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(vii).
“Final Company Transaction Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iii).
“Final Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(ii).
“Final Funded Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iii).
“Final Revenue” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f).
“Final Tax Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(h).
“Final Working Capital” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iii).
“Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(f)(i).
“Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3(a)(i) (Due Organization), 3(a)(ii) (Power and Authority; Execution and Delivery; Due Authorization), 3(a)(iii) (Noncontravention), 3(a)(v) (Certain Fees), and 3(a)(vi) (Interests); 3(b)(i) (Due Organization), 3(b)(ii) (Power and Authority; Execution and Delivery; Due Authorization), 3(b)(iii) (Noncontravention), 3(b)(v) (Certain Fees) and 3(b)(viii) (Due Authorization and Valid Issuance of Parent Shares); and 4(a) (Due Organization; Qualification; Limited Liability Company Power), 4(b) (Power and Authority; Execution and Delivery; Due Authorization), 4(c) (Noncontravention), 4(d) (Certain Fees), 4(e) (Capitalization) and Section 4(q) (Tax Matters).
“Funded Indebtedness” means, without duplication, the aggregate amount (including the current portions thereof) of (i) indebtedness for money borrowed or advanced and monetary obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or similar debt securities, (ii) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (iii) obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price for property or services, but excluding payables that are taken into account in determining Working Capital, (iv) any reimbursement obligation of the Company with respect to letters of credit (including standby letters of credit), bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of the Company, (v) any obligations of another Person that are guaranteed, or secured by any of the assets, of the Company, (vi) accrued but unpaid Taxes of the Company (including, without limitation, Taxes for the current tax period, taxes deferred under the CARES Act, and any accrued but unpaid withholding, payroll, social security, workers compensation, unemployment, disability and any other Taxes with respect to wages or other compensation of any employee or other service provider of the Company), and (vii) any severance rights, deferred compensation payments, salary continuation, retention payments, withdrawal liability under multiemployer plans, and other related compensatory payments payable or that will become payable (whether prior to, at, or following the Closing) by the Company to any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, or independent contractor of the Company, or any other Person, in each case, to the extent not Company Transaction Expenses, in each case within the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii), of the Company as of the Closing, including all interest, fees, expenses, prepayment premiums, and breakage costs accrued as of the Closing with respect to any such indebtedness or obligations, but excluding (A) any undrawn amounts under standby letters of credit or similar instruments, and (B) the PPP Escrow Amount.
8
“GAAP” means United States, generally accepted accounting principles.
“Good Reason” shall mean a termination by a Person of such Person’s employment with the Company if any of the following events occur without such Person’s express prior written consent, if, within 30 days after such Person learns of the occurrence of such event, such Person gives written notice to the Company describing such event and demanding cure, and such event is not fully cured within 30 days after such notice is given and, if the Company fails to cure such event, such Person terminates his employment within five days following the expiration of the cure period: (i) any diminution in such Person’s base salary other than in connection with an across the board reduction of the base salaries of senior executives of the Company, or (iii) the required relocation of such Person’s principal place of employment to a location that is more than 50 miles from a Person’s current principal place of employment.
“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local, or foreign government, governmental or quasi-governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency, or governmental department, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality, including independent agencies and commissions, courts, and tribunals, including arbitral bodies (whether private or governmental), in each case of competent jurisdiction.
“Guarantors” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Hazardous Materials” means any hazardous or toxic substance, material, and/or waste listed in the United States Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) or by the Environmental Protection Agency as a hazardous substance (40 CFR Part 302) and amendments thereto, or such substances, materials, and/or wastes which are or may become regulated under any applicable Law, including any material, waste, and/or substance which is (i) petroleum, (ii) asbestos, (iii) polychlorinated biphenyls, (iv) defined as a “hazardous waste,” “extremely hazardous waste,” “restricted hazardous waste,” or “hazardous material” under applicable state Laws, (v) designated as a “hazardous substance” pursuant to the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §1251, et seq. or U.S.C. §1317, (vi) defined as a “hazardous waste” pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §6901, et seq., and/or (vii) defined as a “hazardous substance” pursuant to CERCLA, in each case including the respective regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Inbound Intellectual Property License” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(n)(iii).
“Independent Accountants” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iii).
9
“Indemnified Party” means any applicable Buyer Indemnified Party with respect to any Seller Indemnity, and any applicable Seller Indemnified Party with respect to any Buyer Indemnity.
“Indemnified Party Representative” means the Buyer with respect to any Seller Indemnity, and the Sellers’ Representative with respect to any Buyer Indemnity.
“Indemnifying Party” means any applicable Seller with respect to any Seller Indemnity, and the Buyer with respect to any Buyer Indemnity.
“Indemnifying Party Representative” means the Sellers’ Representative with respect to any Seller Indemnity, and the Buyer with respect to any Buyer Indemnity.
“Interests” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e).
“Intellectual Property” means any or all of the following and all rights in, arising out of or associated therewith: (i) Patents, (ii) Copyrights, (iii) Computer Software, (iv) Trademarks, (v) Domain Names, (vi) all rights of publicity and privacy, (vii) Trade Secrets, (viii) any other proprietary, intellectual or industrial property rights of any kind or nature, (ix) all copies and tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing (in whatever form or medium, such as instruction manuals, prototypes, samples, studies, and summaries), and (x) registrations, renewals and applications for registration of all of the foregoing.
“Intellectual Property Licenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(n)(iv).
“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States, or any successor agency thereto.
“Issuance Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(g)(i).
“Knowledge” (i) with respect to the Company, means the knowledge of Richard Galipeau, Michael Santangelo, Amanda Swanson and Christopher Zachary Corso (with respect to Section 4(p) only), (ii) with respect to any other entity, means the knowledge of any director, manager, or officer of such entity, and (iii) with respect to any individual, means the knowledge of such individual, in each case within the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), assuming reasonable internal inquiry.
“Law” means any law, constitutional provision, treaty, statute, code, regulation, ordinance, rule, common law, Order, or other requirement of a Governmental Authority.
“lease” means lease or sublease.
“Leased Real Property” means all real property (including all leasehold estates, land, buildings, structures, alterations, improvements, fixtures, easements, rights of way, and any other real property rights and/or interests) that the Company leases, licenses, or otherwise occupies or uses (whether as landlord, tenant, subtenant, licensee, or pursuant to any other use or occupancy arrangement), other than Owned Real Property.
10
“Liability” means any liability or obligation of any kind, character, or description, whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, disputed or undisputed, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, joint or several, matured or unmatured, due or to become due, vested or unvested, executory, determined, determinable, or otherwise.
“license” means license or sublicense.
“Licensed Intellectual Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(n)(iii).
“Lien” means any lien (statutory or otherwise), encumbrance, security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, charge, equitable interest, easement, encroachment, right of way, or any similar title exception (whether arising under Contract, Law, or otherwise).
“Losses” means all losses, damages, liabilities, Actions, judgments, awards, injunctions and other equitable remedies, Liens, settlements, Taxes, penalties, fines, interest, costs, court costs, and fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel and other professional advisors and experts), which may include such fees and expenses incurred by the applicable Indemnified Party in connection with the enforcement of its rights hereunder, provided that “Losses” shall not include any (a) punitive or (b), consequential, incidental, special or indirect damages, in each case, except to the extent actually awarded to a Governmental Authority or other third party or solely in the case of (b), to the extent reasonably foreseeable.
“made available” means made available via the virtual data room hosted by Box. When used in any representation or warranty, “made available” includes only those materials made available (in accordance with the preceding sentence) at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date hereof and which are continued to be made available via such virtual data room through the Closing.
“Material Adverse Effect” means any effect, event, condition, change, state of facts, or group of effects, events, conditions, changes, or states of facts, whether or not related (each, an “Effect”), that is or would reasonably be expected to become, individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse to the business, assets, Liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, or results of operations, of the Company, provided that none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been or may be a Material Adverse Effect: (i) Effects generally applicable to (A) the global economy, (B) financial, banking, or securities markets (including any disruption thereof, any decline in the price of any security or market index, and any change in prevailing interest rates), or (C) any economies, markets, and industries applicable to the Company; (ii) changes in GAAP, other applicable accounting standards, or any Laws applicable to the Company, or any Tax, regulatory, or political conditions applicable to the Company; and (iii) Effects arising as a result of acts of God (including epidemics, pandemics, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, or other natural disasters or weather-related conditions) or the commencement, occurrence, continuation, or intensification of any war (whether or not declared), sabotage, armed hostilities, military attacks or acts of terrorism; except, in each case within the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), only to the extent that the Company is disproportionately adversely affected by such Effects relative to other businesses operating in the industries of the Company.
11
“Material Contract” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(j)(i).
“Material Customer/Supplier” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(t)(i).
“Mitigating Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(h).
“Most Recent Balance Sheet” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(f)(i).
“Most Recent Balance Sheet Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(f)(i).
“Most Recent Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(f)(i).
“Net Parent Shares” means the aggregate number Seller Parent Shares set forth on Schedule I minus the aggregate number of Banker Parent Shares. The number of Net Parent Shares issuable to each Seller is set forth opposite such Seller’s name under the heading “Net Parent Shares” on Schedule I.
“Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iii).
“Objection Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iii).
“Open Source Materials” means any materials, including Computer Software in whole or in part in source code form, which are licensed pursuant to license terms that require as a condition of use, modification and/or distribution of such materials that other materials that incorporate, are incorporated into or which incorporate, are derived from, linked to, or compiled, assembled or distributed with such materials be: (a) distributed or offered in source code form (if Computer Software); (b) be licensed for the purpose of making derivative works therefrom; or (c) be offered, provided or redistributed at no charge. Open Source Materials include, software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), Mozilla Public License (MPL), or Common Development and Distribution License (CDDL).
“Opt-out Notifications” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(o)(iv).
“Order” means any order, award, decision, injunction, judgment, ruling, subpoena, or verdict entered, issued, made, or rendered by any Governmental Authority.
“Ordinary Course of Business” means the ordinary course of business of the Company, consistent with past practice (including with respect to quantity and frequency).
“Organizational Documents” means the certificate of incorporation, formation, or limited partnership, and the bylaws, limited liability company operating agreement, or limited partnership agreement, or any analogous documents entered into, adopted, or filed in connection with the creation, formation, or organization, in each case of the applicable entity.
“Owned Intellectual Property” means Intellectual Property which the Company uses which is not Licensed Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property in the public domain.
“Owned Real Property” means real estate and interests in real estate owned in fee.
12
“Owned Software” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(p)(iv).
“Parent” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Parent Shares” means Parent’s common stock, $0.0001 per value per share.
“Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Patents” means patents and patent applications, including continuation, divisional, continuation in part, reexamination and reissue patent applications, and any patents issuing therefrom.
“Payoff Letters” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a)(iv).
“Permit” means any permit, license, franchise, approval, authorization, registration, certificate, variance, clearance, or similar right that may be issued by any Governmental Authority or any accreditation or certification agency, body, or organization.
“Permitted Liens” means:
(i) those items set forth on Schedule 4(k);
(ii) statutory liens for Taxes not yet due and payable which are being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been established;
(iii) statutory liens of mechanics, carriers’, workmen’s, repairmen’s or other similar statutory liens arising or incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business that are not delinquent and which are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the business of the Company;
(iv) easements, rights of way, zoning ordinances and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the business of the Company; or
(v) liens arising under original purchase price conditional sales contracts and equipment leases with third parties entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business which are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the business of the Company.
“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, any other business entity, or a Governmental Authority.
“Personal Information” means all data used, collected, stored or processed by or on behalf of a Person pertaining to an individual other than such Person, including an individual’s name, address, telephone number, email address, social media accounts, photographs, age, gender, identification or social insurance number, income, citizenship, employment, assets, liabilities, payment records, credit information, bank account information, investment activity, personal and professional references, health or medical records, any other data used or intended to be used to identify, contact or locate such individual, and any other information that is considered personally identifiable information or personal data under applicable Laws.
13
“PPP” means the Paycheck Protection Program established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as modified by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act.
“PPP Escrow Agent” means Boston Private Bank & Trust Company.
“PPP Escrow Agreement” means that certain escrow agreement, to be dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Company and the PPP Escrow Agent.
“PPP Escrow Amount” means, as of the Determination Time, an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount, plus all accrued and unpaid interest, under the PPP Loan.
“PPP Escrow Fund” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(iii).
“PPP Loan” means that certain loan granted to the Company by the PPP Escrow Agent on February 26, 2021, in the original principal amount of $506,578 under the PPP.
“PPP Obligations” means the total amount of principal, interest, fees, expenses, prepayment premiums, breakage costs, penalties, and other obligations of the Company (including to the extent the same will accrue effective upon the consummation of the Transaction and/or the repayment and termination of either PPP Loan) in connection with the PPP Loan.
“Preservation Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Protected Communications” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(n).
“Purchase Price” means $15,000,000.
“Real Property Leases” means all leases, licenses, concessions, processing facility agreements, occupancy agreements and other Contracts, if any, and all amendments, restatements, extensions, renewals, guaranties, supplements, and other modifications and Contracts with respect thereto, pursuant to which the Company leases, licenses, holds, or otherwise occupies, operates, or uses (whether as landlord, tenant, subtenant, licensee, or pursuant to any other use or occupancy arrangement) any Leased Real Property.
“Related Party” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person that is an Affiliate, a Family Member, a director, a manager, a trustee, an officer, a key employee, a direct or indirect beneficial owner of voting interests representing at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting power, a primary beneficiary, or a trust for the primary benefit, of such specified Person, or any combination of the foregoing (for example, a trust for the primary benefit of the children of a Seller shall be considered a Related Party of such Seller).
14
“Releasing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(n).
“Representative Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e).
“Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, the directors, managers, trustees, officers, employees, independent contractors, agents, attorneys, accountants, advisors, and other representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Restricted Business” mean the business of being engaged by utility companies via annual-or multi-year purchase orders for the purpose of developing, designing, building, and arranging financing for projects that save energy, reduce energy costs, and decrease operations and maintenance costs at the facilities of such utility companies’ customers.
“Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(f)(i).
“Restricted Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(f)(i).
“Restricted Territory” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(f)(i).
“Revenue” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f).
“Sale Event” means, with respect to Parent, the Buyer, the Company and any intermediate holding company between the Parent and the Buyer, (a) the acquisition of a majority of the voting power (including, to the extent applicable, the acquisition of the ability to control the election of a majority of the directors or similar governing body) of such entity by another Person or group of Persons (within the meaning of § 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by means of any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, any stock acquisition, any consolidation or merger of such entity with or into any other Person, or any other corporate reorganization), other than any consolidation, merger or reorganization in which the holders of shares of capital stock (together with any other Person falling within the same group) representing a majority of the voting power of such entity immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization continue to hold shares of capital stock representing a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity (or, if the surviving entity is a wholly owned subsidiary, its parent) immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization or (b) the sale, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of such entity’s assets.
“SEC” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(h)(i).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Security Measures” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(o)(ii).
“Seller Adjustment Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iv).
“Seller Indemnified Party” means each Seller and its Affiliates and Representatives, and the successors and permitted assigns of all of the foregoing.
“Seller Indemnity” means an indemnification obligation pursuant to Section 7(b).
“Seller Parent Shares” means Parent Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to $7,000,000. For the avoidance of doubt, Seller Parent Shares shall consist of (and shall solely consist of) Net Parent Shares and Broker Parent Shares. The number of Seller Parent Shares allocable to each Seller is set forth opposite such Seller’s name under the heading “Seller Parent Shares” on Schedule I.
15
“Sellers” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Sellers’ Representative” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Straddle Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(e)(i).
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation of which a majority of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, and (ii) any limited liability company, partnership, association, or other entity (other than a corporation) of which a majority of partnership, limited liability company, or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time of determination owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof.
“Target Working Capital” means $2,289,969.
“Tax” means any (i) federal, state, local, or foreign income, gross receipts, escheat, unclaimed property, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether or not disputed, (ii) Liability for amounts of the type described in clause (i) as a result Treasury Regulations §1.1502-6, as a result of being a transferee or successor, or as a result of a Contract or otherwise, or (iii) penalties or fees for failure to file or late filing of any Tax Returns.
“Tax Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(h).
“Tax Contest” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(e)(vi).
“Tax Return” means any return, amended return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes filed or required to be filed with a Governmental Authority, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
“Third Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(d)(ii)(A).
“Third Party Claim Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(d)(ii)(A).
“timely Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(iii).
16
“Trademarks” means trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade dress, logos, slogans, brand names, corporate or partnership names, and other indicia of origin, whether registered or unregistered and together with all translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations thereof and all goodwill associated therewith.
“Trade Secrets” means all confidential and proprietary information, including formulas, algorithms, apparatus, trade secrets, know-how, inventions (whether or not patentable), discoveries, improvements, concepts, ideas, methods, patterns, network configurations and architectures, processes, designs, techniques, plans, protocols, schematics, specifications, subroutines, user interfaces, drawings, product roadmaps, databases, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost information, and business and marketing plans and proposals, in each case which derive value from being maintained confidential.
“Transaction” means the collective transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
“Transfer” means transfer, sell, issue, lease, license, grant any Lien upon, or otherwise dispose of.
“Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code.
“WARN Act” means the federal Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988.
“Working Capital” has the meaning set forth on Exhibit A.
“writing” and “written” means any writing, facsimile, or electronic mail.
“Year-End Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(f)(i).
(b) Accounting Provisions. All accounting terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings given to them in conformance with GAAP.
(c) InterpretationWith respect to this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement (other than the PPP Escrow Agreement):
(i) Unless the context otherwise requires: (A) whenever the word “include”, “includes”, or “including” is used, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (B) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (C) the words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereunder”, “herewith”, and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement (or, if used in an Ancillary Agreement, to such Ancillary Agreement) as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement (or such Ancillary Agreement, as applicable); (D) any references contained herein (or in any Ancillary Agreement) to a preamble, section, clause, exhibit, schedule, or other attachment shall refer to the preamble or such section, clause, exhibit, schedule, or other attachment to this Agreement (or, if such reference is contained in an Ancillary Agreement, to such Ancillary Agreement, as applicable); (E) the meaning assigned to each term defined herein or in any Ancillary Agreement shall be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of such term; (F) references to any gender shall include the other gender; (G) a reference to any Person in a particular capacity shall refer to that Person solely in such capacity, and shall include such Person’s permitted successors and assigns in such capacity; (H) a reference to any Law shall include all amendments thereto, all modifications and reenactment thereof, all Laws substituted therefor, and all rules, regulations, and statutory instruments promulgated thereunder or pursuant thereto; (I) a reference to any Contract (including this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement) shall include all exhibits, schedules, and other attachments to such Contract, and shall refer to such Contract as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified as of the time of determination; (J) a reference to $ or dollars shall mean U.S. dollars; and (K) when calculating the period of time before which, within which, or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded and, if the last day of such period is not a Business Day, then the period shall end on the next succeeding Business Day.
17
(ii) Section headings are not to be considered part of this Agreement are included solely for convenience, are not intended to be full or accurate descriptions of the content of the sections of this Agreement, and shall not affect the construction hereof or thereof.
(iii) The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement (with the benefit of their respective legal counsels) and, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
2. Purchase and Sale; Closing.
(a) Purchase and Sale. At the Closing, on and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Buyer does hereby purchase and accept from each Seller, and each Seller does hereby sell and deliver to the Buyer, all of such Seller’s Interests, in exchange for the consideration set forth herein, free and clear of all Liens.
(b) Payments at Closing. At the Closing, the Buyer shall make (or cause to be made) the following payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank accounts designated in writing by the Sellers’ Representative to the Buyer, or as applicable, by issuance of Parent Shares:
(i) to each Seller, such Seller’s Allocable Percentage of the Closing Distribution Amount;
(ii) to each Seller, twenty-five (25%) of such the number of Net Parent Shares issuable to such Seller;
(iii) to the Banker, twenty-five (25%) of the Banker Parent Shares;
18
(iv) to the PPP Escrow Agent, the PPP Escrow Amount, which, together with any interest or other amounts earned thereon (collectively, the “PPP Escrow Fund”), shall be held by the PPP Escrow Agent in accordance with this Agreement and the PPP Escrow Agreement as security and a source of payment solely for amounts payable in respect of the PPP Obligations and amounts payable to the Buyer pursuant to Section 7(b)(i)(E), if any;
(v) to the holders of obligations constituting any Estimated Funded Indebtedness, all such Estimated Funded Indebtedness set forth in the Payoff Letters as being payable through the Closing Date; and
(vi) to the holders of obligations constituting Estimated Company Transaction Expenses (other than those owing to Company employees or the Banker Parent Shares to be issued to the Banker pursuant to Section 2(b)(ii)), all such Estimated Company Transaction Expenses.
Promptly following the Closing, the Buyer shall cause the Company to pay all Estimated Company Transaction Expenses owing to Business Employees through the Company’s payroll system, net of applicable Taxes.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties hereby authorize the Buyer to pay (or cause to be paid) the amounts described above to the Persons described above at the Closing in lieu of making such payments to the Sellers. In addition, the Parties hereby authorize the Buyer to withhold and deduct from any consideration that would otherwise be payable to any Person under this Section 2(b) or otherwise under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement the amount(s) so required under applicable Law, it being understood and agreed that any such withheld and deducted amount(s) shall be treated as having been paid to such Person for purposes of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement.
(c) Closing. The closing of the Transaction (the “Closing”) shall take place remotely by electronic transmission simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the day on which the Closing takes place being referred to herein as the “Closing Date”). Upon consummation of the Closing, all transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to occur on or as of the Closing or the Closing Date (including the purchase and sale of the Interests and the delivery of the documents to be delivered at the Closing pursuant to Section 6) shall be deemed to have occurred simultaneously and to be effective as of the Determination Time (other than for Tax purposes).
(d) Purchase Price Adjustment.
(i) The Company has delivered to the Buyer a good faith estimate of the balance sheet of the Company as of the Determination Time (the “Estimated Balance Sheet”), prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles, subject to Section 2(d)(viii), and a written statement (the “Estimated Statement”) setting forth the Company’s good faith estimate of (A) Working Capital (“Estimated Working Capital”), (B) Cash (“Estimated Cash”), (C) Funded Indebtedness (“Estimated Funded Indebtedness”), and (D) Company Transaction Expenses (“Estimated Company Transaction Expenses”), together with the resulting calculation of the Estimated Cash Purchase Price.
19
(ii) Within ninety (90) days following the Closing Date (the “Adjustment Period”), the Buyer shall prepare and deliver to the Sellers’ Representative a balance sheet of the Company as of the Determination Time, prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles together with the Buyer’s good faith calculation of Working Capital, Cash, Funded Indebtedness, and Company Transaction Expenses (the “Adjustment Report”). Following the delivery of the Adjustment Report, the Buyer and the Company shall make and cause to be made available, to the Sellers’ Representative and its accountants and other Representatives, (I) the work papers and backup materials of the Buyer, the Company, and their respective independent accountants (subject to execution by the Sellers’ Representative of customary access letters) used in preparing the Adjustment Report, and (II) the books, records, and financial staff of the Company and the Buyer, to the extent they directly relate to the Adjustment Report, in each case, during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, and otherwise in a manner so as to not unduly disrupt the business of the Buyer or the Company, and excluding any such information the disclosure of which could, in the reasonable judgment of the Buyer (or its legal counsel), result in the violation of any applicable Law or confidentiality obligation or the loss of any attorney-client privilege, work-product doctrine, or other applicable legal privilege, until the time that the Final Cash Purchase Price is finally determined in accordance with Section 2(d)(iii) (the “Final Determination Date”).
(iii) Within thirty (30) days following delivery of the Adjustment Report (the “Objection Period”), the Sellers’ Representative may prepare and deliver to the Buyer a written notice (the “Objection Notice”, which, if delivered within the Objection Period, shall be referred to herein as a “timely Objection Notice”) setting forth in reasonable detail the Sellers’ Representative’s good faith objection(s), if any, to the Buyer’s calculations of Working Capital, Cash, Funded Indebtedness, and/or Company Transaction Expenses set forth in the Adjustment Report and the Sellers’ Representative’s proposal with respect to the calculation of each such item. To the extent that the Sellers’ Representative does not object in a timely Objection Notice to any item within Working Capital, Cash, Funded Indebtedness, or Company Transaction Expenses that was raised in the Adjustment Report, then the Sellers’ Representative shall be deemed to have agreed to the Buyer’s calculation of such item as set forth in the Adjustment Report. The Objection Notice shall not be amended without the prior written consent of the Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative after it has been delivered to the Buyer. For thirty (30) days following delivery of a timely Objection Notice, the Sellers’ Representative and the Buyer shall attempt, in good faith, to resolve all disputes between them concerning any items set forth in such Objection Notice. If any such items remain in dispute following the expiration of such thirty (30) day period (the “Disputed Items”), and the Sellers’ Representative or the Buyer so requests by notice in writing to the other, then, within five (5) Business Days following delivery of such request, the Sellers’ Representative and the Buyer shall engage a regionally-recognized accounting firm as is reasonably agreed to by the Sellers’ Representative and the Buyer (in any case, the “Independent Accountants”) to resolve the Disputed Items. The Sellers’ Representative and the Buyer shall execute any engagement or similar agreement reasonably requested by the Independent Accountants. A single partner of the Independent Accountants selected by the Independent Accountants in accordance with its normal procedures shall act for the Independent Accountants in connection with such engagement. The Independent Accountants shall act as experts and not as arbitrators. The Sellers’ Representative and the Buyer shall instruct the Independent Accountants to render, within thirty (30) days following its engagement, a written determination and report (based solely on written presentations by the Sellers’ Representative and the Buyer to the Independent Accountants, and not by independent review) as to the Disputed Items (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any item that is not set forth in a timely Objection Notice) and the resulting calculations of Working Capital, Cash, Funded Indebtedness, or Company Transaction Expenses. The Independent Accountants shall have no authority to resolve any other issues that may arise in connection with this Agreement, including whether the Objection Notice was delivered within the Objection Period. In determining each Disputed Item, the Independent Accountants may not assign a value to such item greater than the greatest value, or lower than the lowest value, claimed for such item by either the Buyer in the Adjustment Report or the Sellers’ Representative in the Objection Notice. The Sellers’ Representative and the Buyer shall cooperate with the Independent Accountants in making its determination and such determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Parties. The fees and disbursements of the Independent Accountants shall be paid by the Sellers’ Representative (on behalf of the Sellers), on the one hand, and by the Buyer, on the other hand, on an inversely proportional basis, based upon the relative difference between the amounts in dispute submitted to the Independent Accountants and the Independent Accountants’ determination of such amounts. Solely by way of example, if the Buyer claims in the Adjustment Report that Working Capital is $1,000,000, the Sellers’ Representative claims in the Objection Notice that Working Capital is $1,500,000, and the Independent Accountants determines that Working Capital is $1,100,000, then the Buyer shall pay twenty percent (20%) of the Independent Accountants’ fees and disbursements and the Sellers’ Representative (on behalf of the Sellers) shall pay eighty percent (80%) of the Independent Accountants’ fees and disbursements. Each of the Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative (on behalf of the Sellers) shall pay its own fees and expenses related to such determination. For the avoidance of doubt, whether or not an Independent Accountants is engaged, (A) each item that was raised in a timely Objection Notice but that is a not a Disputed Item shall have the value as was agreed to between the Sellers’ Representative and the Buyer, and (B) each item that was not raised in a timely Objection Notice shall have the value set forth in the Adjustment Report. “Final Working Capital”, “Final Cash”, “Final Funded Indebtedness”, and “Final Company Transaction Expenses” shall mean Working Capital, Cash, Funded Indebtedness, and Company Transaction Expenses, respectively, as finally determined in accordance with this clause (iii).
20
(iv) Calculation of Purchase Price Adjustment.
(A) The “Seller Adjustment Amount” means the excess, if any, of the sum of (I) Final Working Capital, Final Cash, Estimated Funded Indebtedness, and Estimated Company Transaction Expenses, over the sum of (II) Estimated Working Capital, Estimated Cash, Final Funded Indebtedness, and Final Company Transaction Expenses.
(B) The “Buyer Adjustment Amount” means the excess, if any, of the sum of (I) Estimated Working Capital, Estimated Cash, Final Funded Indebtedness, and Final Company Transaction Expenses, over the sum of (II) Final Working Capital, Final Cash, Estimated Funded Indebtedness, and Estimated Company Transaction Expenses.
(v) If there is a positive Seller Adjustment Amount, then within five (5) Business Days following the Final Determination Date, the Buyer shall pay such Seller Adjustment Amount to the Sellers in accordance with their respective Allocable Percentages in immediately available funds using wire transfer instructions as designated in writing by the Sellers’ Representative.
(vi) If there is a positive Buyer Adjustment Amount, then within five (5) Business Days following the Final Determination Date, the Sellers shall, jointly and severally, pay such Buyer Adjustment Amount to the Buyer in immediately available funds using wire transfer instructions as designated in writing by the Buyer.
(vii) The Parties agree to treat any payment made pursuant to Section 2(d)(v) or Section 2(d)(vi) as an adjustment to the Estimated Cash Purchase Price for all purposes hereunder and all Tax purposes (the Estimated Cash Purchase Price, as so adjusted, the “Final Cash Purchase Price”).
(viii) The Parties acknowledge and agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the calculations and preparations of Cash, Working Capital, and the Estimated Balance Sheet (including all line items therein) (A) shall exclude the effects of purchasing accounting and other adjustments arising as a result of the Transaction or any financing thereof, (B) shall be construed so as to not result in the double-counting of any assets, liabilities, Losses, or other items against any Party, (C) are intended to measure variations in the components taken into consideration in the preparation of the estimates delivered pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) compared to the final values determined pursuant to Section 2(d)(iii), and, without limiting the foregoing, are not intended to permit the introduction of components, judgments, principles, practices, methodologies, policies, procedures, classifications, or estimation methodologies (in each case including with respect to the calculation of reserves) that differ from those described in the definitions of Cash and Working Capital, and (D) shall reflect only those facts and circumstances that existed as of the Determination Time.
(e) The Sellers’ Representative.
(i) The Sellers’ Representative shall have the authority to act as the agent for, and to bind and/or execute any documents as attorney-in-fact for, any and all Sellers in connection with this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Sellers’ Representative is a party. Such authority shall include the sole and exclusive authority to (A) assert, pursue, defend against, contest, and settle claims for indemnification hereunder, (B) exercise any other rights and remedies that may be available to any Seller hereunder, (C) defend against, contest, and settle the assertion of any other rights or remedies by the Buyer hereunder, and (D) execute and deliver amendments, consent, and waivers to and under this Agreement and each such Ancillary Agreement. Each Seller shall retain the authority to act on his or its own behalf with respect to matter not covered by the preceding sentence and not otherwise expressly required or permitted to be taken solely by the Sellers’ Representative.
21
(ii) The Buyer and the Company shall be entitled to rely on the authority granted pursuant to the foregoing clause (i) until the Sellers’ Representative delivers written notice to the Buyer of the appointment of a successor Sellers’ Representative approved in writing in advance by the Buyer (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed), in which case, effective upon the date specified in such notice, the Buyer and the Company shall be entitled to rely on the authority of such successor Sellers’ Representative and such successor Sellers’ Representative shall be deemed to be the Sellers’ Representative for all purposes under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Sellers’ Representative is a party. In the event that the Sellers’ Representative becomes unable or unwilling to perform his or its responsibilities hereunder or under any Ancillary Agreement to which he, or it is a party or resigns from such position, the Sellers having a majority of the aggregate Allocable Percentages shall, as promptly as practicable, appoint a successor Sellers’ Representative and deliver written notice thereof to the Buyer, in which case, effective upon the date specified in such notice, such successor Sellers’ Representative shall be deemed to be the Sellers’ Representative for all purposes under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Sellers’ Representative is a party.
(iii) All of the powers, authorities, rights, and immunities granted to the Sellers’ Representative under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party shall survive the Closing. The grant of authority provided to the Sellers’ Representative under this Agreement and each such Ancillary Agreement is coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable, and shall survive the death, incompetency, bankruptcy, or liquidation of any Seller.
(iv) The Sellers’ Representative shall not be liable to the Sellers for actions taken pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, except to the extent such actions shall have been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have constituted gross negligence or involved fraud, intentional misconduct or bad faith (it being understood that any act done or omitted pursuant to the advice of counsel, accountants and other professionals and experts retained by Sellers’ Representative shall be conclusive evidence of good faith). The Sellers shall severally and not jointly (in accordance with their respective Allocable Percentages), indemnify and hold harmless the Sellers’ Representative from and against, compensate it for, reimburse it for and pay any and all losses, liabilities, claims, actions, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, arising out of and in connection with its activities as Sellers’ Representative under this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement (the “Representative Losses”), in each case as such Representative Loss is suffered or incurred; provided, that in the event it is finally adjudicated that a Representative Loss or any portion thereof was primarily caused by the gross negligence, fraud, intentional misconduct or bad faith of the Sellers’ Representative, the Sellers’ Representative shall reimburse the Sellers the amount of such indemnified Representative Loss attributable to such gross negligence, fraud, intentional misconduct or bad faith. The Representative Losses shall be satisfied from the Sellers, severally and not jointly (in accordance with their respective Allocable Percentages).
22
(f) Earnout.
(i) In addition to the amounts payable to the Sellers pursuant to the other provisions set forth in this Agreement, within five (5) Business Days following the determination of Final Revenue in accordance with clause (ii) below, the Buyer shall pay (or cause to be paid) the Earnout Amount to the Sellers in accordance with their respective Allocable Percentages in immediately available funds using wire transfer instructions as designated in writing by the Sellers’ Representative.
(ii) Within 30 days following the completion of the audit of the Parent’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 (such fiscal year being the “Earnout Period”), the Buyer shall prepare and deliver to the Sellers’ Representative a written report (the “Earnout Report”) setting forth in reasonable detail the Buyer’s good faith calculation of Revenue. As used herein, “Revenue” means the gross revenues recognized by the Company in respect of the Earnout Period, calculated in accordance with the Accounting Principles. The rights and obligations of the Parties with respect to the Earnout Report, the Sellers’ Representative’s right to dispute the Buyer’s calculation of Revenue, and the procedure for the resolution of any such dispute shall be governed in the same manner as provided in Sections 2(d)(ii) and (iii), and the other provisions of Sections 2(d)(ii) and (iii) shall apply in connection therewith, mutatis mutandis. Revenue, as finally determined in accordance with the foregoing, shall be referred to herein as “Final Revenue”.
(iii) If the Final Revenue is greater than or equal to $19,500,000, then the “Earnout Amount” shall be $1,000,000. If the Final Revenue is less than $19,500,000, then the cash amount shall be $0.00.
(iv) The Parties agree to treat any payment of the Earnout Amount as an adjustment to the purchase price for all purposes hereunder and all Tax purposes.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the right of any Party to receive payment in respect of the Earnout Amount, together with each other right set forth in this Section 2(f), (A) is solely a contractual right and is not a security for purposes of any federal or state securities Laws, and (B) shall not be assigned (by operation of law, merger (whether as surviving or disappearing entity), consolidation, dissolution, or otherwise) or otherwise Transferred without the prior written consent of the Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative, and any such assignment or other Transfer in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void. The Sellers acknowledge and agree that, from and after the Closing, the Buyer and the Company shall be permitted to operate the Business in their sole and absolute discretion, without regard to the effects that such operation of the Business may have on the calculation of the payment made or that otherwise may have been made under this Section 2(f); provided, however, that the Buyer and the Company shall from the Closing until the expiration of the Earnout Period (i) maintain the limited liability company existence of the Company; (ii) maintain separate accounting records (prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles) for the Company and (iii) not, and shall cause their respective Affiliates not to take any action or omit to take any action which has the primary purpose or specific intent of preventing the Company from being able to generate Revenue of $19,500,000.
23
(vi) If a Sale Event occurs or is to occur prior to the due date for payment of any Earnout Amount, the Buyer shall, as a condition precedent to such Sale Event cause all counterparties (including the Buyer, transferees or surviving entities, each to the extent applicable) with respect to such Sale Event to assume, in all respects, all of the obligations of the Buyer that are set forth in this Section 2(f). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2(f), the Buyer shall remain fully responsible if any such counterparty fails to comply with any such obligation.
(g) Seller Parent Share Issuance.
(i) Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 2(g)(ii), Parent shall issue the Seller Parent Shares as follows: Parent shall issue to each Seller twenty-five (25%) of the Net Parent Shares issuable to such Seller and to the Banker twenty-five (25%) of the Banker Parent Shares on the following dates (each such date, an “Issuance Date”):
(A) the six (6th) month anniversary of the Closing Date;
(B) the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the Closing Date; and
(C) the thirty (30) month anniversary of the Closing Date.
(ii) Notwithstanding Section 2(g)(i), (A) if Richard Galipeau (“Galipeau”) is not employed by the Company on any Issuance Date, the number of Net Parent Share issuable to each Seller on such Issuance Date shall be reduced by an amount equal to (1) 74,675 multiplied by (2) such Seller’s Allocable Percentage (any reductions pursuant to this clause (A), the “Galipeau Reductions”), and (B) if Michael Santangelo (“Santangelo”) is not employed by the Company on any Issuance Date, the number of Net Parent Shares issuable to each Seller on such Issuance Date shall be reduced by an amount equal to (1) 74,675 multiplied by (2) such Seller’s Allocable Percentage (any reductions pursuant to this clause (B), the “Santangelo Reductions”). For the avoidance of doubt, if both Galipeau and Santangelao are not employed by the Company on any Issuance Date, both the Galipeau Reductions and the Santangelo Reductions applicable to such Issuance Date shall be made. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2(g)(ii) to the contrary, the Galipeau Reductions with respect to any Issuance Date shall not be made if Galipeau’s failure to be employed by Company on such Issuance Date is as a result of Galipeau’s (A) death, (B) Disability, (C) termination without Cause or (D) termination for Good Reason, and the Santangelo Reductions with respect to any Issuance Date shall not be made if Santangelo’s failure to be employed by the Company on such Issuance Date is as a result of Santangelo’s (A) death, (B) Disability, (C) termination without Cause or (D) termination for Good Reason.
24
(iii) Also notwithstanding Section 2(g)(i), if either a Galipeau Reduction or a Santangelo Reduction is made on any Issuance Date, the Banker Parent Shares otherwise issuable to the Banker on such Issuance Date shall be reduced by 33.6735%, and if both a Galipeau Reduction and a Santangelo Reduction is made any Issuance Date, the Banker Parent Shares otherwise issuable to the Banker on such Issuance Date shall be reduced by 67.347%.
(iv) Buyer and the Sellers hereby acknowledge that the Parent Shares issued under this Section 2(g) constitute consideration for the Interests acquired hereunder and represent a portion of the total purchase price for such Interests. Buyer and the Sellers each mutually agree to treat such Parent Shares as purchase price payments for all Tax purposes.
(h) Tax Allocations. The Parties shall allocate the Estimated Cash Purchase Price and the Fair Market Value of the Seller Parent Shares issued pursuant hereto, as the same may be adjusted as expressly provided for herein, plus the relevant assumed liabilities, among the assets of the Company in accordance with the applicable provisions of §1060 of the Code (and any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Tax Law, as appropriate) and the methodology and principles set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto (the “Tax Allocations”). Within sixty (60) days following the Closing, the Buyer shall prepare and deliver to the Sellers’ Representative a written statement setting forth in reasonable detail the Buyer’s proposed Tax Allocations. The rights and obligations of the Parties with respect to the Buyer’s proposed Tax Allocations, the Sellers’ Representative’s right to dispute the Buyer’s proposed Tax Allocations, and the procedure for the resolution of any such dispute shall be governed in the same manner as provided in Sections 2(d)(ii) and (iii), and the other provisions of Sections 2(d)(ii) and (iii) shall apply in connection therewith, mutatis mutandis. The Tax Allocations, as finally determined in accordance with this Section 2(h), shall be referred to herein as the “Final Tax Allocations”. The Final Tax Allocations shall be binding on the Parties for all Federal, state, local, and foreign income Tax purposes, and the Parties shall report for all Federal and state income Tax purposes in a manner consistent with the Final Tax Allocations, in each case except to the extent otherwise required by applicable Law, and subject to any subsequent adjustments to the Estimated Cash Purchase Price and the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Seller Parent Shares issued pursuant hereto, as the same may be expressly provided for herein.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Sellers and the Buyer.
(a) Representations and Warranties of the Sellers. Each Seller, severally and not jointly and only with respect to itself, hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer as follows:
(i) Due Organization. Such Seller (if an entity) is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or other organization.
25
(ii) Power and Authority; Execution and Delivery; Due Authorization. Such Seller, if an entity, has full power and authority (including full corporate or other entity power and authority), and if an individual, has full legal capacity, in either case to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which such Seller is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been and each Ancillary Agreement to which such Seller is a party has been (or, when executed and delivered, will have been) duly executed and delivered by such Seller and, assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery by each other party hereto or thereto, this Agreement constitutes and each Ancillary Agreement to which such Seller is a party constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of such Seller, enforceable against such Seller in accordance with its terms and conditions, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity) (the foregoing, the “Enforceability Exceptions”). If such Seller is an entity, the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which such Seller is or is proposed to be a party have been (or, when executed and delivered, will have been) duly authorized by all requisite corporate or other entity action on the part of such Seller.
(iii) Noncontravention. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by such Seller, nor the performance by such Seller of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, will (A) with respect to any such Seller that is an entity, violate the Organizational Documents of such Seller, (B) violate any Law to which such Seller is subject or require the Consent of any Governmental Authority (other than any Consent that has already been obtained or otherwise satisfied), in each case subject to compliance with the Securities Act and state securities Laws, or (C) require Consent under any Contract of such Seller (other than any Consent that has already been obtained or otherwise satisfied).
(iv) Legal Proceedings. There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of such Seller, threatened by or against such Seller or any Affiliate thereof that challenge or seek to restrain, enjoin, or otherwise prevent or delay the consummation of the Transaction or that challenge such Seller’s record and beneficial ownership of the number of Interests set forth opposite its name on Schedule 4(e).
(v) Certain Fees. Such Seller has not engaged, and does not and will not have any Liability for the payment of any fees or commissions to, any broker, finder, agent, investment banker, or financial advisor in connection with the Transaction.
(vi) Parent Shares. Each Seller understands that (i) the Parent Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Parent Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, and (ii) the Parent Shares may not be resold, transferred, pledged (other than pledges in the ordinary course of business as part of prime brokerage arrangements) or otherwise disposed of by such Seller absent an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Each Seller agrees that the Parent Shares will be subject to the foregoing transfer restrictions and, as a result of these transfer restrictions, such Seller may not be able to readily resell the Parent Shares and may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in the Parent Shares for an indefinite period of time. Each Seller understands that it has been advised to consult legal counsel prior to making any offer, resale, pledge or transfer of any of the Parent Shares.
26
(vii) Access to Information. Each Seller acknowledges and agrees that such Seller has received and has had an adequate opportunity to review, such financial and other information as such Seller deems necessary in order to make an investment decision with respect to the Parent Shares and made its own assessment and is satisfied concerning the relevant tax and other economic considerations relevant to such Seller’s investment in the Parent Shares. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Seller (for itself and, if applicable, for each account for which it is acquiring the Parent Shares) acknowledges that it has reviewed the documents provided to such Seller by Parent. Each Seller (for itself and, if applicable, for each account for which it is acquiring the Parent Shares) represents and agrees that such Seller and such Seller’s professional advisor(s), if any, have had the full opportunity to ask such questions and receive such answers from Parent or any person or persons acting on their behalf concerning the terms and conditions of an investment in the Parent Shares, have obtained such materials or information as such Seller and such Seller’s professional advisor(s), if any, have deemed necessary to make an investment decision with respect to the Parent Shares and have independently made their own analysis and decision to invest in the Parent Shares.
(viii) Ability to Bear Risk. Each seller understands that neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other federal, state or non-U.S. agency has recommended, approved or endorsed the acquisition of the Parent Shares as an investment or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the information set forth in this Agreement or any other documents used in connection with the issuance of the Parent Shares hereunder. Each Seller acknowledges that it is aware that there are substantial risks incident to the purchase and ownership of the Parent Shares. Each Seller is able to fend for himself or itself in the transactions completed herein, has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Parent Shares and has the ability to bear the economic risks of such investment in the Parent Shares and can afford a complete loss of such investment. Each Seller has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as such Seller has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision. Alone, or together with any professional advisor(s), each Seller has analyzed and considered the risks of an investment in the Parent Shares and determined that the Parent Shares are a suitable investment for such Seller and that such Seller is able at this time and in the foreseeable future to bear the economic risk of a total loss of such Seller’s investment in Parent. Each Seller acknowledges specifically that a possibility of total loss exists. In making its decision to purchase the Parent Shares, each Seller has relied solely upon independent investigation made by such Seller and the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein. Each Seller is an “Accredited Investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act. Each Seller will acquire the Parent Shares for such Seller’s own account solely for investment purposes and not for the account of others or with a view to the distribution or resale of such Parent Shares or any interests therein. Each Seller confirms that the Parent Shares were not offered to such Seller by any means of general solicitation or general advertising.
27
(b) Representations and Warranties of the Buyer and the Parent. The Buyer hereby represents and warrants to each Seller and each Guarantor as follows:
(i) Due Organization. Each of the Buyer and the Parent is duly organized as a corporation and is validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(ii) Power and Authority; Execution and Delivery; Due Authorization. Each of the Buyer and the Parent has full power and authority (including full corporate or other entity power and authority) to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Buyer and/or the Parent is a party has been (or, when executed and delivered, will have been) duly executed and delivered by the Buyer and/or the Parent (as applicable) and, assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery by each other party hereto or thereto, this Agreement constitutes and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Buyer and/or the Parent is a party constitutes (or, when executed and delivered, will constitute) a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Buyer and/or the Parent (as applicable), enforceable against the Buyer and/or the Parent (as applicable) in accordance with its terms and conditions, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Buyer and/or the Parent is a party have been (or, when executed and delivered, will have been) duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Buyer and the Parent.
(iii) Noncontravention. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by the Buyer and/or the Parent, nor the performance by the Buyer and/or the Parent of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, will (A) violate the Organizational Documents of the Buyer or the Parent, or (B) violate any Law to which the Buyer and/or the Parent is subject or require the Consent of any Governmental Authority (other than any Consent that has already been obtained or otherwise satisfied), in each case subject to compliance with the Securities Act and the state securities Laws.
(iv) Legal Proceedings. There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of the Buyer and the Parent, threatened by or against the Buyer and/or the Parent or any Affiliate of the Buyer (including the Parent) that challenge or seek to restrain, enjoin, or otherwise prevent or delay the consummation of the Transaction.
(v) Certain Fees. Neither the Buyer nor the Parent has engaged, and does not and will not have any Liability for the payment of any fees or commissions to, any broker, finder, agent, investment banker, or financial advisor in connection with the Transaction.
28
(vi) Exclusive Representations. The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that none of the Sellers, the Company or any other Person has made any representation or warranty as to the Sellers, the Company or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the schedules to this Agreement).
(vii) Independent Investigation. The Buyer has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, results of operations, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Company, and acknowledges that it has been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of Seller and the Company for such purpose. The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that: (a) in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, the Buyer has relied solely upon its own investigation and the express representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the schedules to this Agreement); and (b) none of the Sellers, the Company or any other Person has made any representation or warranty as to the Sellers, the Company or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the schedules to this Agreement).
(viii) Due Authorization and Valid Issuance of Parent Shares. The Parent Shares, when issued to the Sellers in accordance herewith, will have been duly authorized and will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of any liens or other restrictions (other than those arising under applicable Law) and will not have been issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar rights.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer as follows:
(a) Due Organization; Qualification; Limited Liability Company Power. The Company is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation and is qualified to do business as a foreign entity under the laws of each jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each jurisdiction in which the Company is qualified to do business as a foreign entity is set forth on Schedule 4(a)(1). The Company has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to carry on the business in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties owned and used by it. The Company is not in material breach of or default under (with or without notice, lapse of time, or both) its Organizational Documents. Schedule 4(a)(2) sets forth a complete and correct list of all managers and officers of the Company.
(b) Power and Authority; Execution and Delivery; Due Authorization. The Company has full limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due and valid authorization, execution, and delivery by each other party hereto or thereto, this Agreement constitutes and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is a party constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and conditions, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is a party have been duly authorized by all requisite limited liability company action on the part of the Company.
29
(c) Noncontravention. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by the Company, nor the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, will (i) violate the Organizational Documents of the Company, (ii) violate any Law to which the Company is subject or require the Consent of any Governmental Authority (other than any Consent that has already been obtained or otherwise satisfied), (iii) except as set forth on Schedule 4(c)(iii), require Consent under any Material Contract (other than any Consent that has already been obtained or otherwise satisfied), or (iv) result in the loss or impairment of any rights with respect to, or result in the imposition or creation of a Lien upon, any material assets of the Company.
(d) Certain Fees. The Company has not engaged, and does not and will not have any Liability for the payment of any fees or commissions to, any broker, finder, agent, investment banker, or financial advisor in connection with the Transaction, other than the Banker.
(e) Capitalization; Subsidiaries. Schedule 4(e) sets forth the number and percentage ownership of membership interests (collectively, the “Interests”) and other Equity Equivalents of the Company, the name of the record holder thereof. All of such issued and outstanding Interests and other Equity Equivalents have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, and have been issued without violation of any applicable Laws (including securities Laws) or any Contracts or the Company’s Organizational Documents as then in effect (including any preemptive and anti-dilution rights). The Company has no Subsidiaries. The Company does not hold of record or own beneficially, directly or indirectly, any Equity Equivalents of any Person.
(f) Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities.
(i) Attached hereto as Schedule 4(f)(i) are the following financial statements of the Company: (A) the reviewed balance sheet and statements of income and members’ equity, and cash flows as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020 (collectively, the “Year-End Financial Statements”); and (B) the internally-prepared, unreviewed, unaudited balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows as of and for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 (such date, the “Most Recent Balance Sheet Date”, such balance sheet, the “Most Recent Balance Sheet”, and such balance sheet and statement, collectively, the “Most Recent Financial Statements” and, together with the Year-End Financial Statements, collectively, the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements (including the notes thereto, as applicable) are complete and correct in all material respects, and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of such dates and for such periods, in each case in accordance with GAAP (as in effect as of the dates such Financial Statements were prepared, applied on a consistent basis throughout the Financial Statements), provided that the Most Recent Financial Statements do not include a statement of members’ equity, are subject to normal year-end adjustments and lack notes and other presentation items.
30
(ii) The Company does not have any Liabilities or commitments of a nature that would be required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP (as in effect as of the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date), except (A) those that are adequately reflected or reserved against on the Most Recent Balance Sheet, (B) those that have been incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business since the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date and which do not exceed, in the aggregate, $100,000, and (C) Company Transaction Expenses. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet Liabilities.
(g) Recent Events. Since the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date, no Material Adverse Effect has occurred, and, except as set forth on Schedule 4(g), the Company has not:
(i) amended its Organizational Documents;
(ii) (A) issued or otherwise Transferred any of its Equity Equivalents, (B) redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its Equity Equivalents, (C) declared, set aside, or paid any dividend or other distribution in respect of any of its Equity Equivalents, or (D) split, combined, or reclassified any of its Equity Equivalents;
(iii) (A) acquired (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets, or otherwise) any entity or business or division thereof, or otherwise acquired any assets outside the Ordinary Course of Business for consideration in excess of $25,000, or (B) Transferred (or suffered any damage, destruction, or loss of, whether or not coverage by insurance) any assets outside the Ordinary Course of Business with an aggregate value in excess of $25,000;
(iv) (A) made any change in the financial accounting, Tax accounting, Tax reporting, or cash or working capital management principles, methods, or practices used by it, except to the extent required by a change in applicable Law or GAAP that came into effect following December 31, 2020, (B) accelerated the collection of any accounts receivable, rights, claims, or other amounts owed to it, other than with respect to amounts that do not in the aggregate exceed $25,000, or (C) cancelled, postponed, or extended the payment of any accounts payable, Liabilities, or other amounts owed by it, other than with respect to amounts that do not in the aggregate exceed $25,000;
(v) recognized any union or other labor organization, certificated any collective bargaining or similar Contract, entered into any collective bargaining or similar Contract, appraised or opposed any union organizing campaign, settled any material grievances or unfair labor practice charges, filed any unfair labor practice charges, or taken any similar action, in each case with respect to the Company or its current or former employees;
(vi) (A) adopted, amended, otherwise modified, or terminated any Employee Plan except as required by applicable Law, (B) accelerated payment or vesting of amounts or benefits or amounts payable or to become payable under any Employee Plan, or (C) failed to make any required contribution to any Employee Plan;
31
(vii) (A) granted any increase in the compensation or benefits of any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, or individual independent contractor of the Company outside of the Ordinary Course of Business, (B) extended employment to, hired, or terminated any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, or individual independent contractor of the Company with annual compensation in excess of $100,000, or (C) made any loans or advances to, or entered into any other transactions with, any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, or individual independent contractor of the Company;
(viii) implemented any employee layoffs that could implicate the WARN Act;
(ix) incurred any Liabilities or commitments in respect of Funded Indebtedness (without regard to whether or not the same has been paid off or will be outstanding as of the Closing), other than in the Ordinary Course of Business under credit facilities in effect on December 31, 2020;
(x) made any loans, advances, capital contributions, capital expenditures, or charitable or political contributions or pledges, in an aggregate amount for all cases in excess of $50,000;
(xi) initiated any Action, or settled, had dismissed, or otherwise resolved any Action brought by or against it;
(xii) suffered or entered into any termination, revocation, suspension, nonrenewal, abandonment, material amendment, or material breach of any of its Permits, Material Contracts, or insurance policies;
(xiii) (A) made, revoked, or amended any Tax election, (B) executed any waiver of restrictions on assessment or collection of any Tax, (C) agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, (D) entered into or amended any agreement or settlement with any Tax authority, or (E) failed to file any Tax Return required to be filed by it when due, or to pay any Taxes (including estimated Taxes) when due on any such Tax Return (or any Tax Return for which an extension has been granted) or otherwise;
(xiv) cancelled, waived, released, or written off any accounts receivable, rights, claims, or other amounts owed to it, or modified its credit, collection, or payment policies, in all cases other than in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to amounts that do not in the aggregate exceed $25,000;
(xv) taken any other action, or failed to take any action, outside the Ordinary Course of Business; or
32
(xvi) entered into any term sheet, letter-of-intent, or legally binding commitment or Contract to take, or adopted any corporate or other resolution authorizing or approving, any of the foregoing actions.
(h) Litigation; Orders. Except as set forth on Schedule 4(h)(1), there are not currently, and there have not been since the date that is six (6) years prior to the date hereof, any Actions (or, to the Knowledge of the Company, investigations by any Governmental Authority) pending (or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened) by or against the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that would serve as a reasonable basis for the commencement of, or that would reasonably be expected to give rise to, any such Action or investigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4(h)(2), the Company is not subject to any unsatisfied payment obligations or ongoing equitable restrictions pursuant to any Order or settlement agreement or subject to any Order or settlement agreement that does or would reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the Transaction. None of the Actions, investigations, and Orders set forth on Schedule 4(h)(1) would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Compliance with Laws and Permits.
(i) The Company is, and has been at all times since the date that is three (3) years prior to the date hereof, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws. The Company has not, since the date that is three (3) years prior to the date hereof, received any written notice from any Governmental Authority regarding any actual or alleged violation by the Company or any director, manager, officer, employee, or independent contractor thereof acting in its capacity as such of any Law, or regarding any actual or potential investigation of the same.
(ii) Schedule 4(i)(ii) sets forth a complete and correct list of each Permit necessary for the Conduct of the Business (including any Permit required under applicable Laws and/or Material Contracts), and the issuance and expiration date with respect thereto (each Permit that is or should be set forth on such Schedule, a “Company Permit”). The Company (A) maintains and is in compliance in all material respects with each Company Permit, and (B) has timely and duly filed all applicable renewals and other filings required to have been filed with respect to each Company Permit. Each Company Permit is in full force and effect.
(j) Material Contracts.
(i) Schedule 4(j)(i) sets forth a complete and correct list of all of the following Contracts of the Company (all of such Contracts that are or should be listed on such Schedule 4(j)(i), together with all Real Property Leases, and insurance policies that are or should be listed on Schedule 4(m) and Schedule 4(u)(i), all Intellectual Property Licenses, and all amendments, supplements, or other modifications thereto, with respect to all of the foregoing, being referred to herein collectively, as the “Material Contracts”):
(A) Any Contract (or group of related Contracts) (I) with a Material Customer/Supplier, or (II) the performance of which involved aggregate consideration in excess of $100,000 in the twelve (12)-month period ending at the end of the last full month immediately preceding the date hereof, or which would reasonably be expected to involve aggregate consideration in excess of $100,000 in the twelve (12)-month period immediately following the date hereof;
33
(B) Any Contract under which the Company has made or has the right or obligation to make any (I) loans or advances to any of its current or former directors, managers, officers, employees, or other service providers, other than advances for expenses or in the Ordinary Course of Business, or (II) loans or advances to any other third-parties;
(C) Any Contract under which the Company has any outstanding obligation or other Liability for any Funded Indebtedness (without regard to whether or not the same will be outstanding as of the Closing), or has the right or obligation to incur the same;
(D) Any Contract relating to the establishment of a joint venture, strategic alliance, revenue-sharing partnership, or similar arrangement, or an entity in which the Company holds of record or owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, any Equity Equivalent;
(E) Any lease or other Contract pursuant to which the Company is granted, or grants to another Person, any non-ownership rights with respect to any Computer Hardware, technology, or services related thereto, which Computer Hardware, technology, or services is or are material to the Conduct of the Business;
(F) Any collective bargaining Contract or other labor Contract or arrangement;
(G) Any Contract for the employment or engagement of any individual on a full time, part time, consulting, or other basis providing annual compensation (including base salary, commissions and bonuses) in excess of $100,000;
(H) Any profit sharing, equity option, equity appreciation, equity purchase, phantom equity, deferred compensation, severance, bonus, or other similar plans (whether in cash or otherwise) or arrangements for the benefit of the Company’s current or former directors, managers, officers, employees, or other service providers;
(I) Any Contract under which the Company: (I) is bound (or is intended to be bound) by any non-competition, non-solicitation, or non-hire provisions, or any other provisions restricting its right to engage in any line of business or provide any goods or services; (II) has granted any exclusive rights; (III) has granted any options; (IV) has granted any rights of first offer or refusal; or (V) has granted any “most-favored-nation” right, special discount right, or similar right;
34
(J) Any Contract (or group of related Contracts) under which the Company: (I) has acquired, or has an ongoing right or obligation to acquire, any entity or business or division or material portion thereof (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of equity or assets, or otherwise), or any other assets that are material in amount or nature outside the Ordinary Course of Business; or (II) has Transferred, or has an ongoing right or obligation to Transfer, any assets that are material in amount or nature outside the Ordinary Course of Business, in each case within the foregoing clauses (I) and (II), which Contract was entered into since the date that is three (3) years prior to the date hereof or otherwise may contain any remaining rights or obligations, whether or not contingent;
(K) Any Contract primarily concerning confidentiality, non-disclosure, and/or non-use obligations;
(L) Any Contract (or group of related Contracts) under which the Company has or will have any minimum purchase obligations requiring purchases in an amount that would reasonably be expected to exceed in any year $100,000 individually for such Contract (or group of related Contracts) (including any such Contract that contains a penalty or “take-or-pay” provision for failure to purchase such amount); and
(M) Any other Contract (or group of related Contracts) that is material to the Conduct of the Business.
(ii) Each Material Contract constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions against the Company (and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto), except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions. The Company is not (and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to any such Material Contract is) in material breach of or default under any Material Contract, with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both. Since the date that is twelve (12) months prior to the date hereof, no other party to any Material Contract has materially reduced or otherwise materially adversely modified the business conducted under such Material Contract, has communicated written notice threatening or stating its intention to do so or to terminate such Material Contract, or has provided written notice claiming a breach of or default under, or repudiating any material provision of, such Material Contract.
(k) Title to Assets. With respect to the assets (whether real or personal, and whether tangible or intangible) that are used in the Conduct of the Business or located on the Leased Real Property, (i) the Company has good and marketable title to, or a legal, valid, and binding leasehold interest in or license to use, all such assets, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and (ii) such title, leasehold interest, or license is not shared by the Company with any other Person. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company has good and marketable title to all Owned Intellectual Property, and a legal, valid, and binding leasehold interest in or license to use all Leased Real Property and Licensed Intellectual Property, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).
35
(l) Condition and Possession of Personal Tangible Assets. All personal tangible assets owned by or leased to the Company are in good operating condition and repair, and to the Knowledge of the Company, free from defect (patent or latent), and are adequate for their use in the Conduct of the Business in the Ordinary Course of Business, in each case except for (i) damage and defects that are not in the aggregate material, and (ii) ordinary wear and tear. All personal tangible assets used in the Conduct of the Business are under the possession and control of the Company, except for such assets as are in-transit, out for routine maintenance or repair, or in the warehouses and other locations set forth on Schedule 4(l).
(m) Real Property.
(i) The Company does not have any Owned Real Property.
(ii) Each parcel of Leased Real Property, including the lessor, lessee, address, current rental amount and escalations thereof, use, expiration date of current term, amount of security deposit on deposit, and a listing of the Real Property Lease(s) in effect with respect to such parcel of Leased Real Property, is set forth on Schedule 4(m)(ii). With respect to each parcel of Leased Real Property or Real Property Lease, as applicable:
(A) The Company has a legal, valid and binding leasehold interest in the applicable Leased Real Property prusuant to such Real Property Leases.
(B) The Company has not granted any other Person the right to occupy or use any Leased Real Property or assigned, sublet or otherwise transferred the Company’s interests (including by way of oral subleases, licenses, concessions, occupancy agreements or other contracts) under any Real Property Lease to any other Person.
(C) There are not currently, and there have not been since the since the commencement of the applicable Real Property Lease, any condemnation, expropriation, requisition (temporary or permanent) or similar Actions or Orders pending (or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened) affecting such Leased Real Property or the use, operation, occupancy, or value thereof.
(D) The use and operation of the Leased Real Property in the Conduct of the Business do not violate in any material respect any Law, covenant, condition, restriction, easement, license, permit or Contract to which the Company is a party and, to the Knowledge of the Company, the Leased Real Property is in compliance in all material respects with all Laws (including the Americans with Disability Act) applicable thereto.
(E) The Company is not (and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party having rights thereunder is, as of the date hereof) in material breach of or default under any Real Property Lease or any restriction, or easement applicable to such Leased Real Property, with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both.
36
(F) All of the Leased Real Property is, to the Knowledge of the Company, structurally sound, in good operating condition and repair and is adequate for its use in the Conduct of the Business, in each case except for (I) damage that is not in the aggregate material and (II) ordinary wear and tear.
(G) The Company has all utilities (including water, sewer, electric, gas, and telephone) and similar services, and easements, access, and similar rights, in each case with respect to such Leased Real Property as is necessary for the Conduct of the Business.
(H) No security deposit or portion thereof deposited with respect to such Real Property Lease has been applied in respect of a breach or default thereunder.
(iii) The Company does not use, operate, occupy, or have an option or right to acquire any real estate except for the Leased Real Property.
(n) Intellectual Property.
(i) The Company does not own any Trademarks, Patents or Copyrights which are registered with, or are the subject of an application for registration with, any Governmental Authority. The Company owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens) all Owned Intellectual Property.
(ii) Schedule 4(n)(ii) sets forth a list of all Domain Names used in the Conduct of the Business, the Domain Name registrar therefor, the name of the administrative contact, and the expiration date of such registration.
(iii) All Intellectual Property used in the Conduct of the Business which is owned by a third party (“Licensed Intellectual Property” and, collectively with Owned Intellectual Property, “Company Intellectual Property”) is used solely pursuant to a valid agreement or instrument (each an “Inbound Intellectual Property License”).
(iv) Schedule 4(n)(iv) contains a complete and accurate list of all licenses, sublicenses, agreements and other rights granted by the Company to any third party with respect to any Company Intellectual Property (“Outbound Intellectual Property License” and, collectively with Inbound Intellectual Property Licenses, “Intellectual Property Licenses”). Other than rights in Company Intellectual Property arising under an Intellectual Property License disclosed in Schedule 4(n)(iv), no Person has any rights in or to any Owned Intellectual Property, including through grant of any option, license, assignment or agreement of any kind.
37
(v) There are no royalties, honoraria, fees or other payments payable by the Company to any Person by reason of the ownership, use, license, sale or disposition of the Owned Intellectual Property.
(vi) All Intellectual Property Licenses are valid and enforceable, and in full force and effect, and the Company has performed in all material respects all obligations imposed upon it under the Intellectual Property Licenses. The Company is not, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party thereto, is in breach of or default of any Intellectual Property License in any respect or, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default thereunder, and the Company has not received any written notices of any disputes or disagreements with respect to any Intellectual Property Licenses.
(vii) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the ownership, registration and/or use of any registered Company Intellectual Property. None of the Owned Intellectual Property is subject to any outstanding order, judgement or other potential limitation or impairment, and to the Knowledge of the Company, neither is any Licensed Intellectual Property.
(viii) The consummation of the Transaction will not, of itself, impair any right of the Buyer to own or use any Company Intellectual Property and, immediately after the Closing, the Buyer will have such, right, title and interest in and to all Company Intellectual Property on identical terms and conditions as enjoyed by the Company immediately prior thereto.
(ix) The Company has not entered into any agreement granting any third party the right to bring infringement actions or otherwise to enforce rights with respect to the Company Intellectual Property.
(x) Schedule 4(n)(x) sets forth a true and complete list of all Actions involving the Company relating to any Intellectual Property before any Governmental Authority.
(xi) The Conduct of the Business and the use of the Company Intellectual Property do not (to the Knowledge of the Company with respect to Licensed Intellectual Property) infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate or dilute the Intellectual Property of any other Person or any rights of publicity, privacy, or commercial exploitation of such Person’s identity, and, since the Company’s formation, has not infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated or diluted, any Intellectual Property of any other Person or any rights of publicity, privacy, or commercial exploitation of such Person’s identity. As of the date hereof, no claims are pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened, against the Company by any Person (A) with respect to the ownership, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or use in its business of any Company Intellectual Property, (B) contesting the right of the Company to use any Intellectual Property or use or offer any of its products, processes or services, or (C) alleging infringement, misappropriation, violation or dilution of the Intellectual Property rights of any other Person. There is no pending, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened, opposition, interference or cancellation proceeding before any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction against any registrations or applications relating to the Owned Intellectual Property.
38
(o) Privacy; Data Security.
(i) The Company has not collected, received, used, transmitted, disclosed to other Persons, sold or processed any Customer Data or Employee PII in a manner violative of applicable Law.
(ii) The Company has implemented adequate administrative, physical and electronic security measures and safeguards (“Security Measures”) to maintain the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets (those comprising Owned Intellectual Property as well as Trade Secrets entrusted to it by third parties) and to protect all Employee PII and Customer Data from and against illegal or unauthorized access, disclosure or use. To the Knowledge of the Company, no Person has gained unauthorized access to or made any unauthorized use of any such Trade Secrets, Customer Data or Employee PII.
(iii) There has been no notice to, complaint against or audit, proceeding or investigation conducted or claim asserted with respect to Company by any Person (including any Governmental Authority) related to the collection, use, storage, distribution, transfer or disclosure of personal information, and none is pending, to the Knowledge of Company none is threatened, and to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no basis for the same.
(iv) The Company has complete and accurate records of all Persons who have notified the Company of such Person’s election not to receive any electronic communications or solicitations (“Opt-out Notifications”) from the Company. The Company has complied with all such Opt-out Notifications.
(p) Information Technology.
(i) The Company maintains appropriate virus, malware, and security breach prevention measures taking into consideration the scope, nature, context and processing of data, and the risks and likelihood and severity of the impact of an adverse event affecting such data.
(ii) The Company has an adequate disaster recovery plan designed to restore the Company’s information and data processing services in the event of a disaster, as well as adequate business continuity plans designed to preserve the ongoing Conduct of the Business. No test of such plans has revealed any material deviation or flaws in such plans, except for such deviation or flaws that have been remedied.
(iii) Except as set forth in Schedule 4(p)(iii), no Owned Software is, contains or requires the use of, or is required go be linked or compiled or interpreted with any Open Source Materials.
39
(iv) The Company possesses a current, accurate and complete copy of the source code to all of the Computer Software comprising Owned Intellectual Property (“Owned Software”). No other Person has a copy of any Owned Software or any portion thereof.
(v) The Company has in place and complies with adequate protocols and procedures designed to protect the Owned Software from disclosure to unauthorized Persons, including maintaining a secure source code repository. The Company has in place and complies with adequate procedures for tracking access to, development and use of Owned Software by its own personnel and any other Person.
(vi) Neither this Agreement, nor the Transaction will, of themselves, result in (A) any third party being granted rights or access to, or the placement in or release from escrow, of any source code for any Owned Software, or (B) the Company granting to any third party any right, title or interest to or with respect to any Owned Software. The Company has not provided and it is not obligated under any Contract to which it is a party to provide or offer a copy of the source code for any of Owned Software to any other Person.
(vii) The Company has not expressly authorized any Person to reverse engineer, disassemble, decompile or to take any other action that would allow such Person to discern or create source code of Owned Software.
(viii) The Computer Hardware that, individually or in the aggregate is material to the Conduct of the Business, (A) does not, to the Knowledge of the Company, contain any Disabling Devices, (B) functions materially in accordance with its specifications and documentation, and (C) has not suffered any material malfunction that was not remedied through the use of hardware maintenance and support protocols and procedures consistent with industry practices. Except as set forth on Schedule 4(p)(ix), in the past five (5) years there have been no repeated failures or repeated substandard performance of any Computer Hardware that have caused a material disruption to the business of the Company.
(q) Tax Matters.
(i) All Tax Returns required to be filed by the Company have been timely filed. All such Tax Returns are complete and correct in all material respects. All Taxes owed by the Company or with respect to its assets or operations (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been paid. The Company is not the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return. No written claim has ever been made by an authority in a jurisdiction in which the Company does not file Tax Returns that the Company is or may be subject to Taxation by that jurisdiction. There are no Liens on any of the assets of the Company that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax.
(ii) The Company has (A) withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder, or other third-party, and (B) materially complied with all filings required with respect thereto, including IRS Forms W-2 and 1099.
40
(iii) No director, manager, officer, or employee that is responsible for Tax matters has Knowledge based on personal contact or written communication with any agent of any Tax authority (A) that such authority will assess any additional Taxes for any period for which Tax Returns have been filed, or (B) of any dispute or claim raised in, or made by such authority concerning any Tax Liability of the Company or its assets or operations. No dispute or claim concerning any Tax Liability of the Company or its assets or operations has been claimed, threatened, or raised by any authority in writing. Schedule 4(q)(iii) sets forth all jurisdictions in which federal, state, local, and foreign Tax Returns are filed by the Company and indicates those Tax Returns that have been audited or that are currently the subject of audit. The Company has made available to the Buyer complete and correct copies of all federal income Tax Returns, examination reports, and statements of deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by the Company since the date that is seven (7) years prior to the date hereof.
(iv) There are no powers of attorney currently outstanding with respect to any Tax matter relating to the Company or its assets or operations.
(v) There has been no waiver of statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreement to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency agreed to by the Company or otherwise with respect to its assets or operations.
(vi) The Company is not required to pay and additional Tax or include any item 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 (A) any adjustment pursuant to Code §481(a) by reason of a change in accounting method (and the Company does not have an application pending with the IRS or any other Tax authority requesting permission for any change in accounting method); (B) any “closing agreement” as described in Code §7121 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. income Tax Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (C) any intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Code §1502 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax law); (D) any installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date (excluding the Transaction); (E) any prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing Date; (F) an election under Code §108(i) (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. income Tax law) made or existing on or prior to the Closing Date; (G) the use of an improper method of accounting for a Taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (H) Code §951, §951A or §965 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or foreign Tax law) with respect to amounts earned on or before the Closing Date; or (I) stimulus or relief programs under the CARES Act or the FFCRA, including any PPP loans or deferred payroll taxes.
41
(vii) The Company has disclosed on its federal income Tax Returns all positions taken therein that could give rise to a substantial understatement of federal income Tax within the meaning of Code §6662. The Company (A) is not a party to any Tax allocation or Tax sharing agreement or has an obligation to make a payment under such an agreement; (B) does not have any liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulations §1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law), or as a transferee or successor, or by Contract, or otherwise, and is not party to any Contract pursuant to which it has an obligation to indemnify another Person for, or to otherwise assume or become subject to, any Taxes of another Person; and (C) has not been a member of an affiliated group within the meaning of Code §1504 (or any similar group defined under a similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) (an “Affiliated Group”) filing a consolidated, combined, or unitary Tax Return (other than any Affiliated Group the common parent of which was the Company).
(viii) Schedule 4(q)(viii) sets forth the following information with respect to the Company as of the most recent practicable date (as well as on an estimated pro forma basis as of the Closing giving effect to the consummation of the Transaction): (A) the amount of any excess loss account; (B) the amount of any net operating loss, net capital loss, unused investment or other credit, unused foreign Tax, or excess charitable contribution allocable to the Company and any limitations thereon; (C) the amount of any deferred gain or loss allocable to the Company arising out of any deferred intercompany transaction; (D) all material elections and consents relating to Tax and agreements with any Taxing authorities which are still in effect; (E) an estimate of the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company; (F) any partnership, trust, or other entity in which the Company is an owner, whether or not such entity is disregarded for Tax purposes; and (G) all closing agreements, Tax rulings, offer in compromise, gain recognition agreement, or other agreement with any Governmental Authority requested or received from any Governmental Authority with respect to the Company.
(ix) The unpaid Taxes of the Company (A) did not, as of the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date, exceed the reserve for Tax liability (rather than any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the Most Recent Balance Sheet (rather than in any notes thereto), and (B) do not exceed that reserve as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of the Company in filing its Tax Returns. Since the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date, the Company has not incurred any Liability for Taxes arising from extraordinary gains or losses, as such term is used in GAAP, outside the Ordinary Course of Business.
(x) The Company (A) has not been the distributing corporation or controlled corporation with respect to a transaction described in Code §§355 or 361; and (B) does not have a permanent establishment or office or fixed place of business outside the United States.
(xi) None of the assets of the Company is (A) tax-exempt use property under Code §168(h); (B) tax-exempt bond financed property under Code §168(g); (C) limited-use property under Revenue Procedure 2001-28; (D) treated as owned by any other person under Code §168; or (E) located outside of the United States.
42
(xii) The Company does not own (A) shares of any controlled foreign corporations as described in Code §957; or (B) passive foreign investment companies as described in Code §1297.
(xiii) The Company is not and has not been party to any “listed transactions” as defined in Code §6707A(c)(2) and Treasury Regulations §1.6011-4(b)(2), and is not and has not been subject to any penalty under Code §6707A.
(xiv) The Company is in compliance with applicable United States and foreign transfer pricing Laws and regulations in all material respects, including the execution and maintenance of contemporaneous documentation substantiating the transfer pricing practices and methodology of the Company.
(xv) The Company has collected and timely remitted to the proper Taxing authority all applicable material state sales and use Taxes as required by Law, and has reported in a timely manner to the proper Taxing authority all such state sales and use Taxes.
(xvi) The Company (A) has, since its formation, been treated and properly classified as a partnership for federal, state, and local income tax purposes, (B) has never filed, or had filed on its behalf, any election to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for income Tax purposes, and (C) has never made any election to be excluded from all or any part of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, Subchapter K of the Code.
(r) Labor Matters.
(i) Schedule 4(r)(i) sets forth a list of each employee and individual independent contractor of the Company, and each such individual’s name, date of hire or appointment, title or position (including whether full- or part-time), Fair Labor Standards Act designation, accrued and unused vacation, fringe benefits, immigration status, and each such individual’s current year compensation, including current base salary or wages rates, commissions, bonus opportunities, severance obligations, notice rights, and deferred compensation (each, a “Business Employee”). Schedule 4(r)(i) also lists each Business Employee who is on inactive status, including lay-off, approved or unpaid leaves of absence or salary continuation, long-term or short-term disability leave, pregnancy and parental leave, or other extended absences, or receiving benefits pursuant to workers’ compensation legislation, and specifies the last date of active employment or engagement for such individual, the reason for such absence, and the expected return date of such individual. No Business Employee provides services in a jurisdiction other than the United States.
43
(ii) To the Knowledge of the Company, no employee of the Company is obligated under any Contract (including any license, covenant, or commitment of any nature), or is subject to any Order, that would materially interfere with such employee’s ability to promote the interest of the Company or that would conflict with the Conduct of the Business. The Company is not party or subject to, or currently negotiating, any collective bargaining agreement, and there are no labor unions or other organizations representing, claiming to represent, or attempting to represent any employee employed by the Company. Within the three (3) years prior to the date hereof, there has not occurred or been, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened any strike, slowdown, picketing, work stoppage, concerted refusal to work overtime, or other similar labor activity with respect to any employee employed by the Company. There are no employment disputes currently subject to any grievance procedure, arbitration, litigation or other proceeding. There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened filings of any unfair labor practice charges or certification petitions regarding representation of employees at the National Labor Relations Board or other similar Governmental Authority.
(iii) The Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the employment or termination of employment of employees and the employment of labor, including provisions thereof relating to immigration and citizenship (including completion and processing of Forms I-9 for all employees in accordance with applicable Laws), wages, hours, pay equity, equal opportunity, employment discrimination and practices, retaliation, “whistleblower” rights, civil rights, collective bargaining, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the WARN Act, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, unemployment, and the payment of social security and other taxes. Each current service provider compensated as an independent contractor of the Company is and has been properly characterized as such based on the applicable standards under applicable Law, except to the extent such mischaracterization would not be material to the Company.
(iv) All directors, managers, officers, employees, individual independent contractors, and other individual service providers of the Company are terminable at will by the Company upon not more than thirty (30) days’ notice and without material cost or penalty to the Company. There is no officer, executive, key employee, or group of employees of the Company who has indicated in writing an intention to terminate his, her, or their employment with the Company and, to the Knowledge (which for purposes of this Section 4(r)(iv) shall be limited to actual knowledge of such persons (without reasonable internal inquiry)) of the Company, no officer, executive, key employee or group of employees has any plans to terminate such employment. The Company has not, since the date that is three (3) years prior to the date hereof, effectuated a “plant closing” or “mass lay-off” (in each case as defined in the WARN Act), in either case affecting any site of employment or facility of the Company.
(v) Within the three (3) years prior to the date hereof, no allegation of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct has been brought or threatened against (A) any current or former director, manager, or officer of the Company, or (B) any current or former employee or individual independent contractor of the Company who, directly or indirectly, supervises or has managerial oversight over (or supervised or had managerial oversight over) any other current or former employees or individual independent contractors of the Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that would serve as a reasonable basis for any such allegation of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct. Within the six (6) years prior to the date hereof, the Company has not entered into any settlement agreement related to allegations or threatened allegations of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct by any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, individual independent contractor, or other service provider of the Company.
44
(vi) All Persons who perform services for the Company are either United States citizens or are legally entitled to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended, and any other United States immigration Laws relating to the employment of non-United States citizens applicable in the state in which such Persons are employed. The Company has properly completed and retained a Form I-9 with respect to each of its current and past employees, and has, in good faith, verified and fully recorded on the Form I-9 the information for the documents establishing identity and work authorization for each of its employees and has provided to Buyer complete and accurate copies of all such Form I-9s, together with copies of the employees’ supporting documentation evidencing that the employees have valid work authorization to be employed by the Company. The Company has not been the subject of an audit or a proceeding from the United States Department of Homeland Security, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, (or any predecessor thereto, including the United States Customs Service or the Immigration and Naturalization Service) or any other immigration-related enforcement proceeding.
(s) Employee Benefits.
(i) Schedule 4(s)(i) sets forth a complete and correct list of each Employee Plan. With respect to each Employee Plan, the Company has made available to the Buyer complete and correct copies of: (A) such Employee Plan, if written, or a description of such Employee Plan, if not written; and (B) to the extent applicable to such Employee Plan, (I) all trust agreements, insurance contracts, or other funding arrangements, (II) the three (3) most recent Form 5500 (including all schedules thereto) required to have been filed with the IRS or the Department of Labor and all schedules thereto, (III) the most recent IRS determination, advisory, or opinion letter, (IV) all current employee handbooks or manuals, (V) all current summary plan descriptions, (VI) all material communications received from or sent to the IRS or the Department of Labor (including a written description of any oral communication) within the last calendar year, and (VII) all amendments and modifications to any such document.
(ii) Each Employee Plan has been operated and administered in material compliance with its terms and has been established, operated, and administered in material compliance with applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code. All contributions (including all employer contributions and employee salary reduction contributions) and premiums required to have been paid to any Employee Plan under the terms of such Employee Plan (or its related trust, insurance contract or other funding arrangement) or pursuant to any Law have been made within the time periods prescribed by such Employee Plan or Law, and all such contributions and premiums or other payments required to be made or paid for all periods ending on or before the Closing Date have been or will be, as the case may be, paid or accrued with respect to each Employee Plan. There is no material Action pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against any Employee Plan or the assets of any Employee Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that would reasonably be expected to give rise to the commencement of any such material Action.
45
(iii) No Employee Plan is subject to any Laws other than those of the United States or any state, county, or municipality in the United States.
(iv) Each Employee Plan intended to be qualified under §401(a) of the Code, and the trust (if any) forming a part thereof, is so qualified and has received a favorable determination, advisory, or opinion letter from the IRS as to its qualification under the Code and to the effect that each such trust is exempt from taxation under §501(a) of the Code and, to the Knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred since the date of such determination, advisory, or opinion letter that could adversely affect such qualification or tax-exempt status.
(v) No Employee Plan is, or has been within the six (6) years prior to the date hereof, (A) a “multiple employer plan” for purposes of §§4063, 4064, or 4066 of ERISA, (B) a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of §§3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, (C) subject to §§412 or 302 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, (D) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” as defined in §3(40) of ERISA, (E) “voluntary employees’ beneficiary association” (as defined in §501(c)(9) of the Code) or other funded arrangement for the provision of welfare benefits, or (F) a welfare benefit plan that is self-insured. Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any material Liability (including as a result of any indemnification obligation) under Title I or Title IV of ERISA for which the Company would reasonably be expected to be liable, and no condition exists that would reasonably be expected to subject the Company, either directly or by reason of affiliation with an ERISA Affiliate, to any material Tax, fine, Lien, or other Liability imposed by ERISA, the Code, or other applicable Law. No assets of the Company are subject to any Lien under ERISA or the Code. There has been no prohibited transaction described in §406 of ERISA or §4975 of the Code for which an exemption is not available with respect to any Employee Plan. To the Knowledge of the Company, no fiduciary, as described in §3(21) of ERISA, of any Employee Plan has any material Liability for breach of fiduciary duty or any other failure to act or comply in connection with the administration or investment of the assets of any Employee Plan.
(vi) The Company does not maintain, sponsor, contribute or have any obligation to contribute to, or have any Liability with respect to, and would not reasonably be expected to have any Liability with respect to, any Employee Plan providing health or life insurance or other welfare-type benefits for former, current or future employees or service providers who are or may become, as the case may be, retired or terminated employees or service providers (or any spouse or other dependent thereof) other than as mandated by the group health plan continuation coverage requirements of Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and §4980B of the Code, and of any similar state Law.
46
(vii) The consummation of the Transaction (either alone or in combination with another event) will not (A) entitle any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, or consultant of the Company to severance pay, change in control payments, or any other payment, (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such individual, (C) require any contributions or payments to fund any obligations under any Employee Plan, or cause the Company to transfer or set aside any assets to fund any Employee Plan, (D) limit or restrict the right to amend, terminate, or transfer the assets of, any Employee Plan, or (E) result in any prohibited transaction described in §406 of ERISA or §4975 of the Code for which an exemption is not available. The consummation of the Transaction (either alone or in combination with another event) will not give rise to any payment (or acceleration of vesting of any amount or benefit) that will be an “excess parachute payment” as defined in §280G of the Code.
(viii) Neither the Company, nor any current or former director, manager, officer, employee or service provider thereof, has incurred any material Liability (including as a result of any indemnification obligation) arising out of or related to §409A of the Code, and no event has occurred or circumstance exists that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any such material Liability. The Company is not a party to, nor otherwise obligated under, any Contract, agreement, plan, or arrangement that provides for the gross-up of Taxes imposed by §§409A(a)(1)(B) or 4999 of the Code.
(ix) The Company does not have any legally binding plan or commitment to create any additional Employee Plan or to modify or change any existing Employee Plan that would be reasonably expected to result in material Liability to the Company, except as may be required by applicable Law.
(x) The Company (i) has complied, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and the regulations and related guidance promulgated thereunder, (ii) has no, and has had no, Liability for a penalty or assessable payment under Section 4980H of the Code and does not reasonably expect to, have any Liability for such a penalty or assessable payment, (iii) has timely and accurately filed and distributed Forms 1094-C and 1095-C in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6055 and 6056 of the Code and the regulations and related guidance promulgated thereunder, and (iv) for each month through the date hereof, has properly identified each employee who is a “full-time employee”, as defined in Section 4980H of the Code and the regulations and related guidance promulgated thereto.
(xi) The Company does not have, and would not reasonably be expected to have, any material Liability for Taxes under Sections 4975 through 4980 or Sections 4980B through 4980H of the Code.
(t) Customers and Suppliers.
(i) Schedule 4(t)(i) sets forth a complete and correct list of the names of (A) the five (5) largest customers (with Affiliated customer groups being aggregated as one customer for such purpose) based on revenue (including their respective revenue amounts and percentages of total revenue for the applicable period), and (B) the ten (10) largest suppliers and/or vendors (with Affiliated supplier and/or vendor groups being aggregated as one supplier or vendor for such purpose) based on purchases (including their respective purchase amounts and percentages of total purchases for the applicable period), in each case in each of the two most recently completed full fiscal years and the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 (calculated separately for each such period) (each customer, supplier, or vendor that is (or should be) set forth on Schedule 4(t)(i), a “Material Customer/Supplier”).
47
(ii) No Material Customer/Supplier has provided notice threatening or stating its intention to do so or to terminate or materially reduce its relationship with the Company (whether or not arising as a result of the Transaction). There are no existing disputes between the Company and any Material Customer/Supplier. To the Knowledge of the Company, no Material Customer/Supplier is contemplating or threatened with any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar proceeding.
(u) Insurance.
(i) Schedule 4(u)(i) sets forth, with respect to each insurance policy issued to the Company, or to which the Company or any director, manager, officer, or employee thereof is a named insured or otherwise the beneficiary of coverage: (A) the type of policy; (B) the name of the insurer, policyholder, and each covered insured; (C) the name and address of the agent; and (D) the policy number, premiums, deductibles, limits, and period of coverage thereunder. The Company does not participate in any self-insurance or co-insurance programs.
(ii) With respect to each such insurance policy: (A) such policy is legal, valid, binding, enforceable, and in full force and effect; (B) the Company is not in breach of or default under such policy, with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, which breach or default would permit acceleration, modification, termination, or denial of coverage under such policy; and (C) the Company has not received written notice from the insurer threatening or stating its intention to materially increase the premiums under, repudiate any material provision of, otherwise materially adversely modify, or terminate, such policy.
(v) Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth on Schedule 4(v)(1), since the date that is two (2) years prior to the date hereof, no (x) Seller, or (y) current or former Related Party of the Company or any Seller, has done any of the following (or has been a partner, joint venturer, director, manager, trustee, officer, employee, independent contractor, agent or equityholder (excluding de minimis holdings in publicly traded companies) of any Person that has done any of the following), in each case whether directly or indirectly:
(i) been party to any Contract, transaction, or other relationship with the Company, other than the Sellers’ entrance into the Company Operating Agreement and receipt of dividends and distributions in cash;
(ii) owned, or held any leasehold interest in or license to, any assets that are material to the Conduct of the Business; or
48
(iii) participated or engaged in any business or enterprise that is or was similar to or competitive with the Business.
Except as set forth on Schedule 4(v)(2), each Contract, transaction, or other relationship that is or should be set forth on Schedule 4(v)(1)(i) has been made on an arm’s-length basis on terms no less favorable to the Company than those that would have been obtained with a Person that is/was not a Seller or Related Party.
(w) Environmental Matters.
(i) The Company is, and has at all times been, in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws. To the Knowledge of the Company, each other Person that currently owns, leases, or operates, or has formerly owned, leased, or operated, Company Real Property is, and has at all times been, in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws as they relate to such Person’s ownership, leasing, or operation of such Company Real Property.
(ii) There are not currently, and there have not been since the date that is six (6) years prior to the date hereof, any Actions pending (or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened) against the Company (or, to the Knowledge of the Company, against any other Person with respect to any Company Real Property), regarding any alleged or actual violation of, liability under, or investigatory, remedial, corrective, or other obligations accruing under, any Environmental Laws. The Company has not since the date that is six (6) years prior to the date hereof received any notice from any Governmental Authority regarding any alleged or actual violation of, liability under, or investigatory, remedial, corrective, or other obligations accruing under, any Environmental Laws, whether relating to the Company or any other Person with respect to any Company Real Property.
(iii) The Company has made available to the Buyer complete and correct copies of all Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessment reports, and all other physical or electronic environmental assessments or studies, in the possession or control of the Company relating to any Company Real Property.
(iv) None of the Company Real Property is listed on, or has been proposed for listing on, the National Priorities List (or CERCLIS) under CERCLA or any similar state list.
49
(x) Product Liability, Warranties, and Returns.
(i) Schedule 4(x)(i) sets forth (x) the aggregate Liabilities actually paid by the Company and alleged (but unpaid) against the Company in each of the last 3 completed fiscal years and (y) any claims which are currently pending and but which are unpaid, in each case, arising from any actual or alleged (A) defect or other deficiency (whether of design, manufacture, materials, workmanship, labeling, instructions, inadequate warning, or otherwise) with respect to any goods, services, or other products that have been designed, manufactured, packaged, shipped, sold, leased out, licensed out, marketed, distributed, or otherwise introduced into the stream of commerce by or on behalf of the Company, whether as distributor, agent, pursuant to any Contractual relationship with the manufacturer, or otherwise (each, a “Company Product”), (B) injury to Persons or property arising from the receipt, ownership, use, or possession of any Company Product, or (C) breach of, or failure to meet, any express or implied warranty (including any warranty of merchantability or fitness), other Contractual commitment, any applicable standard, any applicable Law, or any specification of any Governmental Authority, in each case relating to any Company Product. No such Liabilities or claims are currently outstanding, and to the Knowledge of the Company no event has occurred or circumstance exists that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any such Liabilities, or that would serve as a reasonable basis for the commencement of any such claims, in each case except (I) as specifically identified on the Most Recent Balance Sheet or in any reserve for product liability or product warranty claims set forth thereon, or (II) as incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business since the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date in an aggregate amount not in excess of $25,000. Since the date that is three (3) years prior to the date hereof, all Company Products have been sold in conformity with all express (and to the Knowledge of the Company, implied) warranties (including any warranty of merchantability or fitness) and other Contractual commitments.
(ii) Since the date that is three (3) years prior to the date hereof, no Company Product has been subject to a recall, and the Company is not currently planning or contemplating the recall of any Company Product, in each case whether required by any Governmental Authority or otherwise. The Company (and to the Knowledge of the Company, each supplier or manufacturer from whom the Company has purchased or otherwise obtained raw materials or finished products used in connection with Company Products) is, and has been at all times since the date that is six (6) years prior to the date hereof, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws and requirements of industry standards organizations, in each case relating to the manufacturing of, or otherwise applicable to, Company Products. The Company has not, since the date that is six (6) years prior to the date hereof, received any written notice from any Governmental Authority regarding any actual or alleged violation with respect to any Company Product of any applicable Laws or requirements of industry standards organizations, or regarding any actual or potential investigation of the same or any actual or potential recall of any Company Product.
(iii) Attached hereto as Schedule 4(x)(iii) are complete and correct copies of the warranty terms, if any, applicable to all Company Products. The Company has not issued or granted any warranty, guaranty, indemnity, or right of return with respect to any Company Product that deviates in any material respect from the warranty terms attached hereto as Schedule 4(x)(iii).
50
(iv) Since the date that is three (3) years prior to the date hereof, the Company has not experienced (or received written notice of any claims, whether or not outstanding, for) any returns, requests for refunds or price renegotiations, or claims of over-shipment with respect to any Company Products, except in the Ordinary Course of Business, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that would reasonably be expected to give rise to the occurrence of any such returns, requests for refunds or price renegotiations, or claims of over-shipment.
(y) Accounts Receivable. The outstanding accounts receivable set forth on the Most Recent Balance Sheet (excluding any such accounts receivable received, cancelled, waived, released, or written off as uncollectible since the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date and in each case disclosed, if so required, on Schedule 4(g)) (i) represent valid obligations arising from bona fide sales actually made, or services actually performed, in the Ordinary Course of Business on an arm’s-length basis, and (ii) are not subject to any reductions, rebates, claims, defenses, or offsets, subject to any reserve for bad debts identified on the Most Recent Balance Sheet. To the Knowledge of the Company, there is no fact that would lead the Company to believe that any such account debtors is unable to satisfy its Liabilities as they come due.
(z) CARES Act Matters. Schedule 4(z) sets forth a complete and correct list of the CARES Act stimulus or relief programs (the “CARES Act Programs”) in which the Company is participating, or in which any has participated, and the amount of funds requested or received by the Company under each such program. The Company has made available to the Buyer complete and correct copies of all material applications, forms and other documents filed or submitted by the Company relating to any CARES Act Program, and all statements and information contained in such applications, forms, and other documents are complete and correct. The proceeds received from any CARES Act Program, including the PPP Loan, were not used by the Company in violation of the CARES Act, the PPP, or similar Laws, or the terms and conditions of the PPP Loan. The Company has maintained accounting and other records relating to each such CARES Act Program, including the PPP Loan, and the use thereof that comply in all material respects with the CARES Act, the PPP, and similar Laws and the PPP Loan (including records that track the costs and other expenses for which the proceeds of the PPP Loan have been used), complete and correct copies of which have been made available to the Buyer, and no act or failure to act on the part of the Company or any other Person prior to the Closing has resulted in the failure of any portion of the PPP Loan eligible for forgiveness under the CARES Act to be so forgiven in accordance with the CARES Act, the PPP, or similar Laws and the PPP Loan. Other than the PPP Loan, the Company has not received, obtained, or applied for any loan, exclusion, forgiveness, or other item pursuant to the CARES Act or any other Law, directive, guidelines, or recommendations by any Governmental Authority in connection with or in response to COVID-19.
(aa) No Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Sections 3 and 4 (including the related portions of the schedules to this Agreement), none of the Sellers, the Company or any other Person has made or makes any other express or implied representation or warranty, either written or oral, on behalf of the Sellers or the Company, including any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the Company furnished or made available to the Buyer and its Representatives, management presentations (or in any other form in expectation of the Transaction) or as to the future revenue, profitability or success of the Company, or any representation or warranty arising from statute or otherwise in Law.
51
5. Covenants.
(a) Further Assurances. From and after the Closing, each Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, take such further actions and execute and deliver such further documents (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Party) as may be reasonably requested by any other Party to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, at the sole cost and expense of the requesting Party (unless the contesting or defending Party is entitled to indemnification therefor pursuant to the terms hereof). Without limiting the foregoing, from and after the Closing, the Sellers’ Representative and each Seller shall, at its sole cost and expense, use its reasonable best efforts to (i) assist the Company in obtaining or otherwise satisfying all Consents set forth on Schedule 4(c)(iii), including by paying any reasonable costs of, or consideration to, any third party in order to obtain or otherwise satisfy such Consents and (ii) ensure that the virtual data room materials, meeting the standards set forth in the definition of “made available”, are copied onto a DVD (or another electronic medium acceptable to the Buyer) and delivered to the Buyer promptly following the Closing.
(b) Litigation SupportFrom and after the Closing, in the event and for so long as any Party or Affiliate thereof is contesting or defending any Action relating to either (i) a fact, event, or condition in existence or occurring at or prior to the Closing involving the Company, or (ii) the Transaction (in each case within the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), other than any Action between any of the Buyer, the Company, and/or any of their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Sellers’ Representative, any Seller, and/or any of their Affiliates, on the other hand), each other Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, cooperate with such contesting or defending Party or Affiliate thereof and its counsel in such defense or contest, including by making available its personnel and providing such testimony and access to its books and records as shall be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with such contest or defense, in each case at the sole cost and expense of the contesting or defending Party(unless the contesting or defending Party is entitled to indemnification therefor pursuant to the terms hereof).
(c) Preservation of Books and RecordsFrom and after the Closing through the expiration of the Preservation Period, the Company shall (i) neither dispose of or destroy any material portion of its insurance, financial reporting, accounting, or Tax books and records that existed prior to the Closing relating to periods prior to the Closing without first providing the Sellers’ Representative at least sixty (60) days’ advance written notice offering to turn possession thereof over to the Sellers’ Representative, and (ii) provide the Sellers’ Representative and its Affiliates and Representatives (including legal counsel and accountants) with reasonable access (including the right to make copies) to any portion of such books or records relating to periods prior to the Closing (in each case at the sole cost and expense of the Sellers’ Representative (on behalf of the Sellers)), during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, and otherwise in a manner so as to not unduly disrupt the business of the Company, provided that (A) such Tax books and records may be accessed and used by the Sellers’ Representative and its Affiliates and Representatives (including legal counsel and accountants) solely for purposes of the preparation and filing of any Tax return and/or the defense of any Tax claim or assessment, and (B) the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply to any portion of any books and records the disclosure of which could, in the reasonable judgment of the Company (or its legal counsel), result in the violation of any applicable Law or confidentiality obligation or the loss of any attorney-client privilege, work-product doctrine, or other applicable legal privilege. “Preservation Period” means, with respect to such Tax books and records, the seventh (7th)-year anniversary of the Closing Date, and with respect to all other such books and records, the third (3rd)-year anniversary of the Closing Date, in each case, or such longer period as is required by applicable Law.
52
(d) ConfidentialityEffective automatically upon the Closing, the Confidentiality Agreement and all obligations thereunder shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. From and after the Closing, the Sellers’ Representative and each Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, neither disclose nor use any Confidential Information, except, with respect to disclosure, to the extent such disclosure is otherwise required of any such Person (in the written opinion of legal counsel to such Person) by Order of any Governmental Authority or otherwise under applicable Law, in which case such Person shall provide the Buyer with written notice promptly upon receipt of such Order or otherwise upon becoming aware of such obligation under applicable Law (and in any event, in advance of making such disclosure), and shall cooperate with the Buyer’s reasonable requests to seek a waiver or protective order or such other reasonable requests regarding the timing, scope, and/or manner of such disclosure, in each case to the extent permitted by applicable Law. “Confidential Information” means all information relating to (i) the Company, the Buyer, any of their Affiliates, or the Business, and/or (ii) the discussions and negotiations preceding, and the terms of, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement, but excluding, in each case within the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), any information that is then generally available to the public other than as a result of a violation of this Section 5(d).
(e) Tax Matters.
(i) Tax Return Filing. The Sellers’ Representative shall prepare, and with the Buyer’s cooperation, timely file all Tax Returns of the Company for all taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date, which Tax Returns have not been filed as of the Closing Date. The Buyer shall have a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any income Tax Returns and approve all other Tax Returns as described in this clause (i). Such Tax Returns shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practice, unless a contrary treatment is required by an intervening change in the applicable Law. The Sellers, jointly and severally, shall pay and discharge all Taxes shown to be due on such pre-Closing Tax Returns before the same shall become delinquent and before penalties accrue thereon. The Buyer shall prepare and timely file all Tax Returns of the Company for any Taxable period beginning on or before and ending after the Closing Date (the “Straddle Period”) and shall pay and discharge all Taxes shown to be due on such Tax Returns before the same shall become delinquent and before penalties accrue thereon, subject to the rights of the Buyer Indemnified Parties under Section 7(b). The Sellers’ Representative shall have a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such Tax Returns as described in this clause (i). No later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the due date of such Tax Return, the Sellers, jointly and severally, shall pay to the Company, using such wire transfer instructions as designated in writing by the Buyer, the amount of Taxes shown due which is attributable to the pre-Closing portion of the Straddle Period less estimated Tax payments made prior to the Closing Date. The Buyer and the Company, on the one hand, and the Sellers’ Representative, on the other hand, shall each cause a copy of any Tax Return that is required to be filed by it under this clause (i), together with all relevant workpapers and other information (to the extent such Tax Retun, workpapers, and other information relate solely to the Company), to be made available to the other for review and comment (or approval, as applicable) no later than twenty (20) Business Days prior to the due date for the filing of such Tax Return (taking into account proper extensions), and shall consider in good faith such revisions to such Tax Returns as the reviewing party shall reasonably request. An exact copy of any such Tax Return relating solely to the Company filed by the Buyer or the Company, on the one hand, or the Sellers’ Representative, on the other hand, together with evidence of payment of such Taxes, shall be provided to the other no later than ten (10) Business Days after such Tax Return is filed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, following the Closing, except as required by “determination” (as defined in Section 1313 of the Code) neither the Sellers’ Representative nor any Seller shall (i) file, amend, re-file or otheriwse modify any Tax Return, (ii) enter into any closing agreement, settle any Tax claim or assessment relating to the Company, (iii) make or change a Tax election, extend or waive the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment, surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, (iv) enter into any voluntary disclosure agreement or similar arrangement with a Governmental Authority or (v) take any other similar action, or omit to take any action relating to the filing of any Tax Return or the payment of any Tax, in each case relating to the Company, with respect to any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date or the pre-Closing portion of any Straddle Period, without the prior written permission of the Buyer, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Except as required by Law,the Buyer shall not (i) amend any Tax Returns of the Company filed with respect to any Taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date or with respect to any Straddle Period or (ii) make any Tax election (with respect to the Company) that has retroactive effect to any such Taxable period or to any Straddle Period, in each such case without the prior written consent of the Sellers’ Representative, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
53
(ii) Allocation for Straddle Period. For purposes of this Agreement, the amount of Taxes of the Company for the Straddle Period shall be determined based upon a hypothetical closing of the Taxable year on such Closing Date, with the Closing Date being included in the pre-Closing portion of such Straddle Period (except to the extent of any actions outside the Ordinary Course of Business taken by the Buyer or the Company after the Closing on the Closing Date), provided that real and personal property Taxes (which are not based on income) shall be determined by reference to the relative number of days in the pre-Closing and post-Closing portions of such Straddle Period.
(iii) Refunds. The Buyer and the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Sellers in accordance with their respective Allocable Percentages, in immediately available funds using wire transfer instructions as designated in writing by the Sellers’ Representative, any refunds of or amounts currently credited against the Taxes of the Company to which Buyer or the Company becomes entitled plus any interest received with respect thereto from the applicable Taxing authorities that relate to any Taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date less any increase in Taxes or third party expenses of the Buyer or the Company attributable to such refund or credit, within ten (10) days of receipt thereof or use of the credit by the Buyer or the Company, provided that the Buyer or the Company may elect to carry back losses from post-Closing periods to pre-Closing periods, in which case the refunds attributable to such carryback shall be for the account of the Buyer. Any refunds or credits of Taxes of the Company for any Straddle Period shall be apportioned between the Parties in the same manner as the liability for such Taxes is apportioned pursuant to clause (ii) above. If the amount of any refund or credit of Taxes of the Company that was paid to the Sellers’ Representative and/or the Sellers is subsequently disallowed or reduced by any Governmental Authority, then such receiving Persons shall promptly pay to the Buyer the amount of such Taxes incurred as a result of such disallowed or reduced refund or credit (adjusted to take into account the adjustment above for Taxes incurred by the Buyer or the Company attributable to such refund or credit).
54
(iv) Transfer Taxes. The Sellers’ Representative shall be responsible for the preparation and filing of Tax Returns (including any documentation) with respect to all transfer, documentation, sales, use, stamp, registration, and similar Taxes incurred in connection with the Transaction. The Sellers, jointly and severally, shall pay and discharge the amount of such Taxes and indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer Indemnified Parties from same.
(v) Cooperation. The Parties shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, at the sole cost and expense of the requesting Party (unless the contesting or defending Party is entitled to indemnification therefor pursuant to the terms hereof), subject to Section 5(d).
(vi) Contests.
(A) If the Buyer or the Company receives written notice of any pending or threatened audit or other examination by any Governmental Authority, or any judicial or administrative proceedings relating to Taxes (each, a “Tax Contest”) that would reasonably be expected to result in Losses that are indemnifiable under this Agreement, the Buyer shall promptly notify the Sellers’ Representative. If the Sellers’ Representative or any Seller receives written notice of a Tax Contest that would reasonably be expected to result in Losses that are indemnifiable under this Agreement, such Party shall promptly notify the Buyer. In each case within this clause (vi), the failure or delay in delivering such notice shall not relieve a Party of its obligations hereunder except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such written notice shall describe the Tax Contest and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party.
(B) If such Tax Contest relates solely to any Taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, and not to the Straddle Period or any post-Closing period, the Sellers’ Representative shall have the right (but not the obligation) to be exercised within ten (10) Business Days following its receipt of the written notice of such Tax Contest, by delivering written notice to the Buyer, to assume and thereafter conduct and control the defense of such Tax Contest (with counsel of the Sellers’ Representative’s choice). For so long as the Sellers’ Representative is conducting and controlling such defense the Sellers’ Representative shall provide Buyer with notice of material developments in such Tax Contest and the Buyer shall have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in such defense with separate counsel of its choosing at its sole cost and expense. The Sellers’ Representative shall not be permitted to consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement of such Tax Contest which may and adversely impact the Buyer (or the Company for a Taxable period ending after the Closing Date or the Tax attributes of the Company) without the prior written consent of the Buyer (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed).
55
(C) Unless and until the Sellers’ Representative assumes the defense of such Tax Contest, the Buyer may defend against such Tax Contest in any manner it may reasonably deem appropriate (with counsel of the Buyer’s choice), in which case the Sellers’ Representative (I) shall cooperate with the Buyer in such defense and make available to the Buyer and its Representatives all witnesses, pertinent records, materials, and information in or under the Sellers’ Representative’s possession or control relating thereto as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer, and (II) shall have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in such defense with separate counsel of its choosing at its sole cost and expense. The conduct of such defense by the Buyer shall not be construed to be a waiver of the Buyer’s right to indemnification with respect to such Tax Contest.
(D) For the avoidance of doubt, the procedures relating to any Tax Contest shall be governed by this clause (vi) and not by Section 7(d)(ii).
(vii) Disputes. In the event that a dispute arises between the Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative as to the amount of Taxes or any other matter relating to Taxes attributable to the Company, the Parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve such dispute, and any agreed upon amount shall be paid to the appropriate Party. If such dispute is not resolved within thirty (30) calendar days thereafter, the Parties shall submit the dispute to the Independent Accountants or, if such firm is unavailable or unwilling, such other regionally-recognized accounting firm selected in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2(d)(iii) for resolution, which resolution shall be final, conclusive, and binding on the Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the Buyer shall pay half of the Independent Accountants’ fees and disbursements and the Sellers shall pay half of the Independent Accountants’ fees and disbursements.
(viii) Tax Treatment. The Parties intend that the acquisition of the Interests will be treated for income tax purposes in accordance with Situation 1, in Revenue Ruling 99-6, 1991-1 CB 432. As a result, the current Tax year of the Company will end for federal income Tax purposes on the Closing Date and the Parties agree to prepare and file all Tax Returns in a manner consistent with such intention.
56
(ix) Tax Indemnity. The Sellers, jointly and severally, shall indemnify each Buyer Indemnified Party from and against any Losses such Buyer Indemnified Party shall suffer resulting from (A) the breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company in Section 4(q), (B) Taxes imposed on (or asserted against the properties, income, or operations of) the Company for any Taxable period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the Closing Date, including the pre-Closing portion of any Straddle Period, and (C) Taxes of another Person claimed from the Company as a result of the Company being included prior to the Closing Date in a combined, consolidated, or unitary tax group under Treasury Regulations §1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), or as a transferee or successor, or by Contract or otherwise , and (D) Taxes resulting from or arising out of stimulus or relief programs under the CARES Act or the FFCRA, including any deferred payroll taxes and the PPP Obligations or any portion thereof (including the forgiveness thereof). Each Seller individually, and not severally or jointly, shall indemnify each Buyer Indemnified Party from and against any Losses such Buyer Indemnified Party shall suffer resulting from Taxes of such Seller imposed on (or asserted against the properties, income, or operations of) the Company for any Taxable period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the Closing Date, including the pre-Closing portion of any Straddle Period. For purposes of this clause (ix), “Losses” shall be deemed to include amounts that would have constituted Losses but for the set-off or other utilization of any loss, deduction, or credit realized in, or attributable to, a post-Closing taxable period (or the portion of the Straddle Period beginning after the Closing Date).
(x) Other Provisions. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions set forth in Sections 7(e), (f)(ii), (i), (j), and (k) shall apply with respect to the obligations set forth in this Section 5(e), mutatis mutandis.
(xi) Survival. This Section 5(e) shall survive the Closing (and any claims for the breach thereof may be brought) until the expiration of the statute of limitations (as extended) with respect to the underlying matter giving rise to the applicable claim, plus sixty (60) days.
(f) Restrictive Covenants.
(i) Each of the Sellers (each, a “Restricted Person”) covenants and agrees that, during the period commencing at the Closing and continuing until the third (3rd) anniversary of the Closing Date (the “Restricted Period”), such Restricted Person shall not (and shall cause its Affiliates not to) do any of the following, or serve as a partner, joint venturer, director, manager, trustee, officer, employee, independent contractor, agent or equityholder (excluding de minimis holdings in publicly traded companies) of any Person that does any of the following, in each case whether directly or indirectly:
57
(A) participate or engage in, or provide any financial or other assistance to any Person participating or engaging in, (1) with respect to Richard Galipeau and Michael Santangelo, the Business or any business or enterprise that is similar to or competitive with the Business (in each case, as conducted historically and/or as of the Closing) and (2) with respect to Dandin (and its Affiliates), the Restricted Business, in each case, in any geographical region (I) that the Company currently conducts its Business, (II) the Company’s utility customers service (whether or not the Company’s Business currently services such geographic areas, and (III) New York and New Jersey (the “Restricted Territory”), provided that this clause (A) shall not apply to any Restricted Person serving in any capacity on behalf of, or taking any action at the direction of, the Buyer or any of its Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Seller may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any Person traded on any national securities exchange if such Seller is not a controlling Person of, or a member of a group which controls, such Person and does not, directly or indirectly, own 5% or more of any class of securities of such Person (including to the Parent Shares);
(B) solicit, contact, or conduct business with (or attempt to conduct business with) any Person who is then, or was within the twelve (12) months prior thereto, a customer of the Company, with respect to Dandin, within the Restricted Territory, in each case for purposes of endeavoring to offer such Person products or services that are similar to the products and services offered by the Company as of the later of (I) the Closing and (II) with respect to Richard Galipeau and Mickael Santangelo, such person’s termination of employment with the Company;
(C) induce or entice (or attempt to induce or entice) any distributor, supplier, vendor, or any other Person having a business relationship with the Company to terminate or adversely modify its relationship with the Company;
(D) solicit, contact, hire, engage, or enter into any other business relationship with (or attempt to do any of the foregoing) any Person who is then, or was within the six (6) months prior thereto, a director, manager, officer or employee, independent contractor, or agent of the Company, or induce or entice (or attempt to induce or entice) any such Person to terminate or adversely modify its relationship with the Company, provided that nothing in this clause (D) shall prohibit the publishing of general advertisements not specifically targeted to any directors, managers, officers, employees, independent contractors, or agents of the Company; or
(E) make or endorse any disparaging, derogatory, or otherwise negative written or oral communication regarding the Business, the Buyer, the Company, or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives.
(ii) The Restricted Period with respect to any Restricted Person shall be tolled during (and shall be deemed to be automatically extended by) any period during which such Restricted Person is in violation of any provision set forth in clause (i) above.
58
(iii) Each Restricted Person agrees that the Business is unique and irreparable damage would occur, and money damages would be inadequate, if any provision of clause (i) above were not performed in accordance with its terms and that the Buyer shall be entitled to injunctive relief and specific performance of the terms of clause (i) above, in addition to any other remedy to which it is entitled at law or in equity. Each Restricted Person irrevocably waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy. Each Restricted Person further agrees that the only permitted objection that it may raise in response to any Action for equitable relief is that it contests the existence of a breach or threatened breach of clause (i) above.
(iv) Each Restricted Person agrees that all restrictions set forth in clause (i) above, including those relating to the duration of the Restricted Period and the scope of the Restricted Territory, are necessary and fundamental to the protection of the Company and its operation of the Business, are reasonable and valid, and constitute a material inducement for the Buyer to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Transaction. To the extent that any court of competent jurisdiction holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions set forth in clause (i) above are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the Parties agree that the maximum duration, scope, or area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated duration, scope, or area and that such court shall be permitted, and this Agreement shall automatically be revised, to modify the restrictions set forth in clause (i) above to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by law or equity.
(g) Company Operating Agreement. Effective as of the Closing, each Seller and the Company hereby waives all rights it may have or have at any time had under the Company Operating Agreement, and consents to any amendment or amendment and restatement thereof that may thereafter be entered into by the Buyer.
(h) Parent Shares.
The Parent hereby agrees to prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), following the date upon which the Company is eligible to utilize Form F-3 (or any successor form) to sell shares on a delayed or continuous basis in accordance with Rule 415 of the Securities Act, a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (or any successor form) (the “Registration Statement”). The Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC prior to the first Issuance Date following the date hereof; provided that the Parent shall not be required to make any filing with the SEC prior to the date that such filing otherwise would be due, and (ii) remain effective until the final Issuance Date, as determined pursuant to Section 2(g) hereof. Provided that the Registration Statement is effective as of the time of issuance, the Company will facilitate a “takedown” of the Parent Shares to be issued upon each Issuance Date following the date hereof. It shall be a condition to the Parent’s obligations under this Section 5(h) that each Seller shall have provided promptly (and in any event within seven (7) business days) such information regarding such Seller as the Parent or its counsel shall reasonably request and as is customarily required in connection with the Registration Statement or as shall be required in connection therewith by the SEC or any state securities law authorities. Each Seller hereby represents, warrants and agrees that all such information provided by such Seller or on his behalf shall be true, complete and correct. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent shall not be obligated to file a Registration Statement or facilitate a takedown of Parent Shares pursuant to this Section 5(h) in the event that the Parent Shares issued pursuant to Section 2(g) of this Agreement are freely tradeable, without restriction, pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as of any respective Issuance Date.
59
6. Closing Deliverables.
(a) Deliverables of the Sellers’ Representative, the Sellers and the Company.At the Closing, the Sellers’ Representative, the Sellers and the Company shall deliver to the Buyer the following documents, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer:
(i) counterparts of the PPP Escrow Agreement duly executed by the Company and the PPP Escrow Agent;
(ii) an assignment agreement with respect to each Seller’s Interests, duly executed by such Seller in favor of the Buyer;
(iii) evidence that the Consents set forth on Schedule 6(a) shall have been obtained or otherwise satisfied;
(iv) payoff letters with respect to all Funded Indebtedness and, to the extent requested by Buyer, Company Transaction Expenses, setting forth the amounts required to be paid to (A) satisfy all such Funded Indebtedness and Company Transaction Expenses, and (B) terminate and release any related Liens and all other obligations of the Company in favor of such Person (the “Payoff Letters”), together with any termination statements on Form UCC-3 or other releases reasonably necessary or desirable to evidence the termination and release of any such Liens and obligations, in each case in form ready for filing (if applicable);
(v) to the extent requested by the Buyer, letter agreements or other documentation evidencing the termination (without any further obligation on the part of the Company) of the Contracts, transactions, and other relationships that are (or should be) set forth on Schedule 4(v)(1);
(vi) to the extent requested by the Buyer, resignations from any directors, managers, and/or officers of the Company;
(vii) an affidavit, duly executed by each Seller, stating, under penalty of perjury, such Person’s United States taxpayer identification number and that such Person is not a foreign person, in accordance with §1445(b)(2) and §1446(f) of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder;
(viii) a Form W-9 or other applicable tax form, duly executed by each Seller;
(ix) a certificate of good standing of the Company in its jurisdiction of organization;
60
(x) a certificate of a secretary or other authorized officer of the Company certifying as to its Organizational Documents, to the resolutions duly adopted by all requisite Persons on its behalf authorizing and approving this Agreement, each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party, and the consummation of the Transaction, and to an incumbency setting forth the names, titles, and signatures of Persons authorized to execute and deliver on its behalf this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party;
(xi) a certificate of a secretary or other authorized officer of each Seller that is an entity certifying as to the resolutions duly adopted by all requisite Persons on its behalf authorizing and approving this Agreement, each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party, and the consummation of the Transaction, and to an incumbency setting forth the names, titles, and signatures of Persons authorized to execute and deliver on its behalf this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party;
(xii) counterparts of the Employment Agreements duly executed by each of Richard Galipeau and Michael Santangelo;
(xiii) intellectual property assignment agreements duly executed by each of Sofbang Technologies, LLC, Comportz, LLC and Blue Duck Brands;
(xiv) the Banker Representation Letter, duly executed by the Banker; and
(xv) evidence that the domain names “WorldEnergyES.com” and “WorldEnergyEfficiencyServices.com” have been assigned to the Company.
(b) Deliverables of the Buyer.At the Closing, the Buyer shall deliver to the Sellers’ Representative, the Sellers, and the Company the following documents, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Sellers’ Representative:
(i) counterparts of the Employment Agreements duly executed by the Company;
(ii) a certificate of good standing or analogous status of the Buyer in its jurisdiction of organization; and
(iii) a certificate of a secretary or other authorized officer of the Buyer certifying as to its Organizational Documents, to the resolutions duly adopted by all requisite Persons on its behalf authorizing and approving this Agreement, each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party, and the consummation of the Transaction, and to an incumbency setting forth the names, titles, and signatures of Persons authorized to execute and deliver on its behalf this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is or is proposed to be a party.
7. Indemnification.
(a) Survival Periods. All representations and warranties made by the Parties in this Agreement and in any Ancillary Certificate shall survive the Closing (and any claims for the breach thereof may be brought) until the eighteen (18)-month anniversary of the Closing Date, provided that:
61
(i) the Fundamental Representations (other than in Section 4(q) (Tax Matters)) shall survive the Closing (and any claims for the breach thereof may be brought) indefinitely;
(ii) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4(q) (Tax Matters), Section 4(s) (Employee Benefits) and Section 4(w) (Environmental Matters), shall survive the Closing (and any claims for the breach thereof may be brought) until the expiration of the statute of limitations (as extended) with respect to the underlying matter giving rise to the applicable claim, plus sixty (60) days; and
(iii) any claims based upon or arising from fraud may be brought at any time.
The last date on which a claim for the breach of a representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Certificate may be brought in accordance with the foregoing is referred to herein as the “Expiration Date” of such representation or warranty. Any such claim must be asserted by a written notice on or before the applicable Expiration Date, provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7(a), if such a written notice is given with respect to any claim, such claim shall survive until fully resolved as provided herein.
(b) Seller Indemnities. Subject to the provisions of this Section 7, from and after the Closing:
(i) The Sellers, jointly and severally, shall indemnify each Buyer Indemnified Party from and against any Losses such Buyer Indemnified Party shall suffer resulting from (A) the breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company or the Sellers’ Representative in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Certificate, (B) the breach of any covenant or agreement with respect to obligations to be performed by the Sellers’ Representative set forth in this Agreement, (C) any Funded Indebtedness and Company Transaction Expenses to the extent not paid at or prior to the Closing, (D) any PPP Obligations to the extent not paid or deposited with the PPP Escrow Agent at or prior to the Closing, and (E) any matter set forth on Schedule 7(b).
(ii) Each Seller individually, and not severally or jointly, shall indemnify each Buyer Indemnified Party from and against any Losses such Buyer Indemnified Party shall suffer resulting from (A) the breach of any representation or warranty made by such Seller in Section 3(a) or in any Ancillary Certificate delivered on behalf of such Seller, and (B) the breach of any covenant or agreement with respect to obligations to be performed by such Seller set forth in this Agreement.
(c) Buyer Indemnities. Subject to the provisions of this Section 7, from and after the Closing, the Buyer shall indemnify each Seller Indemnified Party from and against any Losses such Seller Indemnified Party shall suffer resulting from (A) the breach of any representation or warranty made by the Buyer in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Certificate, (B) the breach of any covenant or agreement with respect to obligations to be performed by the Buyer set forth in this Agreement, and (C) the breach of any covenant or agreement with respect to obligations to be performed by the Company following the Closing set forth in this Agreement.
62
(d) Direct Claims; Third Party Claims.
(i) Direct Claims. If an Indemnified Party incurs Losses for which it is entitled to indemnification under this Section 7, other than as a result of a Third Party Claim, then the Indemnified Party Representative shall assert such claim by giving the Indemnifying Party Representative reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than 30 days after the Indemnified Party becomes aware or has a reasonable basis to believe that the subject matter of such claim may give rise indemnification obligations hereunder. The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such written notice shall describe the claim for indemnification in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Losses that have been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. During the 30 day period following the Indemnifying Party Representative’s receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party shall allow the Indemnifying Party Representative and its professional advisors to investigate the matter or circumstance alleged to give rise to the claim for indemnification, and whether and to what extent any amount is payable in respect of such claim and the Indemnified Party shall reasonably assist the Indemnifying Party Representative’s investigation by giving such information and assistance (including access to the Company’s premises and personnel (during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, and otherwise in a manner so as to not unduly disrupt the business of the Buyer or the Company) and the right to examine any accounts, documents or records) as the Indemnifying Party Representative or any of its professional advisors may reasonably request so long as such information is reasonably related to such claim. If the Indemnifying Party Representative responds in writing within the thirty (30)-day period following delivery of such notice (the “Direct Claim Objection Period”) disputing the amount (or any portion thereof) of Losses claimed by such Indemnified Party or that such Indemnified Party is entitled to such indemnification, the Indemnifying Party Representative and the Indemnified Party Representative shall attempt in good faith to resolve such matter within the thirty (30)-day period following Indemnified Party Representative’s receipt of such written notice (the “Dispute Resolution Period”). If the Indemnifying Party Representative and the Indemnified Party Representative are not able to resolve the matter within the Dispute Resolution Period or the Indemnifying Party Representative fails to respond in writing prior to the expiration of the Direct Claim Objection Period thirty (30)-day period, then the Indemnified Party Representative shall be entitled to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnified Party Representative, subject to the provisions of this Agreement. With respect to any amount (or portion thereof) of Losses claimed by such Indemnified Party that has not been disputed by the Indemnifying Party Representative within the Direct Claim Objection Period in accordance with this Section 7(d)(i), such amount (or portion thereof) shall for all purposes under this Agreement conclusively be deemed to be indemnifiable Losses and the applicable Indemnifying Party(ies) shall be liable therefor (it being understood and agreed that, in accordance with the above, such amount (or portion thereof) may not constitute all indemnifiable Losses that may arise from the applicable matter in question).
63
(ii) Third Party Claims.
(A) If any Person which is not an Indemnified Party asserts a claim against an Indemnified Party which claim gives rise to a claim for indemnification against an Indemnifying Party under this Section 7 (a “Third Party Claim”), then such Indemnified Party shall give reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after the Indemnified Party becomes aware or has a reasonable basis to believe that the subject matter of such claim gives rise indemnification obligations hereunder, to the Indemnifying Party Representative (a “Third Party Claim Notice”). The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such written notice shall describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. Thereafter, each Indemnified Party shall deliver or cause to be delivered to such Indemnifying Party Representative, within five (5) Business Days after such Indemnified Party’s receipt thereof, copies of all material notices and documents (including court papers) received by such Indemnified Party relating to the Third Party Claim.
(B) The Indemnifying Party Representative shall have the right to participate in the defense of such Third Party Claim and shall also have the right (but not the obligation), by delivering written notice to the Indemnified Party Representative within ten (10) Business Days following its receipt of the Third Party Claim Notice, to assume and thereafter conduct and control the defense of such Third Party Claim (at the sole cost expense of the Indemnifying Party (regardless of the outcome of such Third Party Claim) with counsel of the Indemnifying Party Representative’s choice that is reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party Representative), but only if and for so long as (1) such Indemnifying Party Representative is conducting and controlling such defense diligently and in good faith, (2) if both an Indemnified Party and an Indemnifying Party are named (by impleader or otherwise) in such Third Party Claim, then there are no material legal defenses available to an Indemnified Party the assertion of which would be adverse to the interests of an Indemnifying Party, (3) such Third Party Claim has not been brought by a material customer, supplier, vendor, creditor, or any other Person having a material business relationship with an Indemnified Party, (4) such Third Party Claim does not allege fraud or criminal activity, (5) such Third Party Claim does not seek equitable remedies, and (6) such Third Party Claim, if adversely determined, would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect as to an Indemnified Party and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. For so long as such Indemnifying Party Representative is conducting and controlling such defense, (I) each Indemnified Party shall have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in such defense with separate counsel of its choosing at its sole cost and expense (or at the Indemnifying Parties’ sole cost and expense if there are any conflicts of interests with respect to such defense as between any Indemnified Party and any Indemnifying Party that are not or cannot be waived), and (II) each Indemnified Party shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party Representative in such defense and make available to such Indemnifying Party Representative and its Representatives, at the Indemnifying Party’s(ies’) sole cost and expense, all witnesses, pertinent records, materials and information in or under such Indemnified Party’s possession or control relating thereto as may be reasonably requested by such Indemnifying Party Representative. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party Representative shall not Consent to the entry of any judgement or agree to or enter into settlement of any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, except as follows: If a firm offer is made to settle a Third Party Claim (w) without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party, (x) does not involve the admission of fraudulent or criminal wrongdoing on the part of the Indemnified Party, (y) does not impose equitable relief, and (z) provides, in customary form, for the unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations in connection with such Third Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party Representative desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party Representative shall give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten (10) days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party Representative may continue to contest or defend such Third Party Claim.
64
(C) Unless and until the Indemnifying Party Representative assumes the defense of any Third Party Claim as provided in Section 7(d)(ii)(B), each applicable Indemnified Party may defend against such Third Party Claim in any manner it may reasonably deem appropriate (with counsel of such Indemnified Party’s choice), in which case each Indemnifying Party shall cooperate with such Indemnified Party in such defense and make available to such Indemnified Party and its Representatives all witnesses, pertinent records, materials, and information in or under such Indemnifying Party’s possession or control relating thereto as may be reasonably requested by such Indemnified Party. The conduct of such defense by such Indemnified Party shall not be construed to be a waiver of such Indemnified Party’s right to indemnification with respect to such Third Party Claim. No Indemnified Party shall be permitted to consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to such Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of such Indemnifying Party Representative (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed).
(iii) Exclusive Authority of Buyer. The Buyer shall have the sole and exclusive authority on behalf of all Buyer Indemnified Parties to assert, pursue, and settle claims for indemnification hereunder.
(e) Additional Indemnification Provisions.
(i) For purposes of this Section 7, in the determination of the Losses arising from any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Certificate, each reference to any materiality, Material Adverse Effect, or similar qualification contained in or otherwise applicable to any such representation or warranty shall be disregarded, except for purposes of Section 4(f)(i), the preamble to Section 4(g), and the usages of the terms “Material Contract” and “Material Customer/Supplier”.
65
(ii) Each Seller, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, hereby waives any right of contribution or similar right that might otherwise have been available to it against any Buyer Indemnified Party or its insurers with respect to any Seller Indemnity.
(f) Limitations on Seller Indemnities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Seller shall be obligated to indemnify any Buyer Indemnified Party from or against:
(i) any Losses arising under Section 7(b)(i)(A) (other than Losses arising from fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation): (A) until the Buyer Indemnified Parties have suffered Losses in an aggregate amount equal to $100,000 (the “Basket Amount”), after which point the Sellers shall be obligated to indemnify each Buyer Indemnified Party solely from and against the aggregate amount of such Losses in excess of the Basket Amount; and/or (B) to the extent that the Buyer Indemnified Parties have suffered (and received indemnity payments for) such Losses in an aggregate amount in equal to or in excess of $1,500,000 (the “Cap”);
(ii) any Losses arising under Section 7(b)(i)(A) arising from a breach of a Fundamental Representation to the extent that the Buyer Indemnified Parties have suffered (and received indemnity payments for) such Losses in an aggregate amount equal to or in excess of the Purchase Price; or
(iii) any Losses arising under Section 7(b) arising from any matter to the extent that such matter was actually and expressly reflected in the calculation of Final Working Capital, Final Cash, Final Funded Indebtedness, or Final Company Transaction Expenses.
(g) Limitations on Buyer Indemnities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Buyer shall not be obligated to indemnify any Seller Indemnified Party from or against: (A) any Losses arising under Section 7(c)(A) (other than Losses arising from fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation): (I) until the Seller Indemnified Parties shall have suffered such Losses in an aggregate amount equal to the Basket Amount, after which point the Buyer shall be obligated to indemnify the Seller Indemnified Parties solely from and against the aggregate amount of such Losses in excess of the Basket Amount; and/or (II) to the extent that the Seller Indemnified Parties shall have suffered (and received indemnity payments for) such Losses in an aggregate amount in excess of the Cap or (B) any Losses arising under Section 7(c)(A) arising from a breach of a Fundamental Representation to the extent the Seller Indemnified Parties have suffered (and received indemnity payments for) such Losses in an aggregate amount equal to or in excess of the Purchase Price.
66
(h) Mitigation; Reductions of Losses
(i) The Parties shall cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate any Losses for which an Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification hereunder to the extent required under applicable Law, provided that, notwithstanding the requirements under applicable Law, no Party shall be required to take any action that would be detrimental to it in any material respect, seek recovery from its customers, suppliers, vendors, or other material business relations, or initiate any Action to obtain recovery from any Person or under any insurance policy. All expenses incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party in connection with its efforts to mitigate Losses shall be deemed Losses.
(ii) In calculating the amount of Losses of any Indemnified Party, there shall be a deduction for the amount of any insurance proceeds actually received by such Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates amounting to a mitigation of such Losses (net of any related deductibles and actual and/or reasonably projected increases in premiums) (“Mitigating Payments”). Without duplication of the foregoing, in the event that any Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates actually receives any Mitigating Payments in respect of any Losses subsequent to the receipt by such Indemnified Party of any indemnification payment hereunder in respect of such Losses, such Indemnified Party shall promptly make appropriate refunds to the appropriate Indemnifying Party in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of (A) the amount of such subsequent Mitigating Payments, and (B) the amount of such indemnification payments received hereunder in respect of such Losses.
(i) Exclusive Remedy. Except (i) for any equitable remedies of the Parties expressly provided herein pursuant to Section 5(f), (ii) with respect to claims arising due to fraud (it being understood and agreed that, for purposes of determining the rights and remedies of any Person following the Closing with respect to claims and other matters arising under this Agreement and any Ancillary Certificate, any such fraud on the part of the Company prior to the Closing shall be imputed to, and shall be deemed to have been committed by, the Sellers), and (iii) as provided in Section 2(e), the indemnification provisions in Section 5(e) and this Section 7 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of all Persons following the Closing with respect to claims and other matters arising under this Agreement and any Ancillary Certificate. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Party hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted under Law, any and all rights, claims and causes of action for any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation set forth herein or otherwise relating to the subject matter of this Agreement or any Ancillary Certificate it may have against the other Parties hereto and their Affiliates and each of their respective Representatives arising under or based upon any Law, except pursuant to the indemnification provisions in Section 5(e) and this Section 7. Nothing in this Section 7(h) shall limit any Person’s right to seek any remedy on account of any Party’s fraud.
67
(j) Manner of Payment.
(i) All obligations owed to any Buyer Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 5(e) or Section 7(b) shall be satisfied as follows:
(A) first, solely to the extent that such obligations are payable to the PPP Escrow Agent in respect of any PPP Obligations, out of the PPP Escrow Fund in accordance with the PPP Escrow Agreement, until the PPP Escrow Fund is exhausted;
(B) second, to the extent that any Seller is entitled to be issued Parent Shares, by reducing the number of Parent Shares issuable to such Seller by a number of Parent Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such obligation; and
(C) thereafter, to the extent applicable, within five (5) Business Days following the final resolution of the claim giving rise to such obligation, from the Seller(s) liable therefor in accordance with Section 7(b) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to account(s) designated in writing by the Buyer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Buyer may elect from time to time following the Closing, to be exercised by written notice delivered to the Sellers’ Representative, to offset all or any portion of any payment(s) then due and payable without dispute under this Agreement by any Seller to the Buyer or any other Buyer Indemnified Party against an equivalent amount of the Earnout Amount then owing to such Seller.
(ii) All obligations owed to the Sellers’ Representative or any Seller Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 7(c) shall be satisfied, within five (5) Business Days following the final determination of the claim giving rise to such obligation, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to one or more accounts designated in writing by the Sellers’ Representative.
(k) Tax Treatment. The Parties agree to treat all payments made pursuant to Section 5(e) or this Section 7 as adjustments to the purchase price, and to allocate such payments among the appropriate Seller(s), in each case for all purposes hereunder and all Tax purposes.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) Press Releases and Public Announcements. The Parties shall issue a joint press release promptly following the Closing, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative. Other than the foregoing, no Party shall, or shall permit its Affiliates or Representatives to, issue any press release or make any public filing, announcement, or disclosure (whether written, oral, or electronic) relating to the Transaction without the prior written approval of the Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative, except as required by applicable Law or the rules or regulations of any United States or foreign securities exchange.
68
(b) Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, provided that the Indemnified Parties shall constitute third-party beneficiaries solely for the purposes of Section 5(e) and Section 7.
(c) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements constitute the entire agreement among the Parties and supersede any prior understandings, agreements, representations, warranties, letters of intent, or term sheets by or among the Parties (as well as any Affiliate or Representative acting on behalf of any Party), written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or thereof.
(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign (by operation of law, merger (whether as surviving or disappearing entity), consolidation, dissolution, or otherwise) this Agreement, or any of such Party’s rights, interests, or obligations hereunder or thereunder without the prior written consent of the Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative, and any such assignment in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, following the Closing, without obtaining any such consent, the Buyer, the Company, and their respective successors or assigns shall be permitted to assign their rights under this Agreement, and any of their rights and interests hereunder and thereunder to (i) any Affiliate of such Person, (ii) any acquirer of such Person (whether by sale of equity interests, by sale of all or substantially all assets, or by merger, consolidation, or otherwise), and/or (iii) any debt financing sources of the Buyer, the Company, or any of their respective successors or assigns (which, in the case of this clause (iii), shall be a collateral assignment until the exercise of remedies by such debt financing sources), provided that in each case within the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), no such assignment shall relieve such Person of any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder.
(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts (including by means of facsimile, .pdf, or other electronic transmission), each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(f) Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications made under this Agreement shall not be effective unless in writing, and shall be deemed to be delivered and received (i) when delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) one Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid), (iii) four Business Days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or (iv) when successfully delivered to the recipient by facsimile, electronic mail, or other electronic transmission, provided that such delivery is subsequently confirmed and that any such facsimile, electronic mail, or other electronic transmission successfully delivered later than 5:00 p.m. in the recipient’s local time shall be deemed to be delivered on the following Business Day, in each case, using the applicable contact information for such recipient set forth below:
69
If to the Sellers’ Representative or any Seller:
Richard Galipeau
15 Roundtable Court
Richmond, RI 02892
rick04hd@sbcglobal.net
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) sent contemporaneously to:
Michael A. Refolo
Andrew A. Croxford
Andrew B. O’Donnell
Mirick, O’Connell, DeMallie & Lougee, LLP
100 Front Street
Worcester, MA 01609-1477
mrefolo@mirickoconnell.com
If to the Buyer or the Company:
XL Hybrids, Inc.
145 Newton St
Brighton, MA 02135
Attention: Jim Berklas
Email: jberklas@XLFleet.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) sent contemporaneously to:
Morrison Cohen LLP
909 Third Avenue, 27th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Randi Mason, Esq.
Email: rmason@morrisoncohen.com
70
Any Party may change its contact information for such notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications by giving the other Parties notice in the manner set forth above.
(g) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOMESTIC LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OR CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
(h) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, COUNTY OF NEW CASTLE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH PARTY AGREES TO COMMENCE ANY SUCH ACTION IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, COUNTY OF NEW CASTLE. EACH PARTY WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF IMPROPER VENUE OR INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY ACTION SO BROUGHT. ANY PARTY MAY MAKE SERVICE ON ANY OTHER PARTY BY SENDING OR DELIVERING A COPY OF THE PROCESS TO THE PARTY TO BE SERVED AT THE ADDRESS AND IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR THE DELIVERY OF NOTICES IN SECTION 8(f), PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 8(h) SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AT EQUITY. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, (B) UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EACH OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN. THIS SECTION 8(h) SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY DISPUTE THAT IS TO BE RESOLVED BY THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS HEREOF.
(i) Amendments. No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid or effective unless in a writing executed by the Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative, and any such written executed amendment shall be binding and effective on all Parties. No consent under any provision of this Agreement or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or of any default under or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement set forth herein, whether or not intentional, shall be valid or effective unless in a writing executed by the Buyer (if the Party seeking to enforce such consent or waiver is the Sellers’ Representative or any Seller) or the Sellers’ Representative (if the Party seeking to enforce such consent or waiver is the Buyer), nor shall any such waiver be deemed to extend to any prior, subsequent, or similar default or breach or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any such prior, subsequent, or similar default or breach. No failure by any Party to take any action with respect to any such default or breach shall constitute a waiver of such Party’s rights to take any such action or to enforce any provision of this Agreement.
(j) Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable shall be deemed to be limited or modified in its application to the minimum extent necessary to avoid such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability. The invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability of any such term or provision in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or the validity, legality, or enforceability of such term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction.
71
(k) Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, and the Transaction.
(l) Incorporation of Exhibits, Schedules, and Annexes. The Exhibits, Schedules, and Annexes identified in this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
(m) Release. Effective as of the Closing, the Sellers’ Representative and each Seller, individually and not severally or jointly, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates (each such Person or Affiliate, a “Releasing Party”) hereby (i) agrees that the Company does not and shall not have any obligation or Liability to such Releasing Party arising out of or relating to the period up to and including the Closing, (ii) unconditionally and irrevocably releases, and covenants not to bring any Action against, the Company (and its former, current, and future Affiliates, and its and their former, current, and future Representatives and the insurers of any of the foregoing Persons) from and with respect to any Actions, obligations, or Liabilities, whether existing or hereafter discovered, arising in equity or at law, that arise out of or relate to the ownership, organization, management, or operation of the businesses of the Company, or the breach of any Contract entered into with such Releasing Party, occurring at any time up to and including the Closing, (iii) represents and warrants that it has not assigned or otherwise Transferred any of its rights with respect to any obligations and Liabilities of the Company of the type described in the foregoing clause (i), or with respect to any Actions of the type described in the foregoing clause (ii), and covenants and agrees that it shall not assign or otherwise Transfer (or attempt to assign or otherwise Transfer) any of such rights, and (iv) waives the benefits of, and any rights that it may have under, any Law regarding the release of unknown claims in any jurisdiction in connection with the matters covered in this Section 8(m); in each case within the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv), subject to and excluding such Releasing Party’s rights expressly provided for under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
(n) Conflicts/Privilege
(i) The Buyer, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including, after the Closing, the Company) and the Sellers, on behalf of themselves and their respective Affiliates, acknowledge and agree that Mirick, O’Connell, DeMallie & Lougee LLP (“Company Counsel”) have acted as counsel for the Sellers and the Company in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction (the “Acquisition Engagement”), and in connection with the Acquisition Engagement, Company Counsel has not acted as counsel for the Buyer or any of its Affiliates.
72
(ii) Only the Sellers, the Company, and their respective Affiliates shall be considered clients of Company Counsel with respect to the Acquisition Engagement. The Buyer, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Company) acknowledges and agrees that all confidential communications between the Sellers, the Company, and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and Company Counsel, on the other hand, in connection with the Acquisition Engagement, which, immediately prior to the Closing, was attorney-client privileged communications between the Sellers, the Company, and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and Company Counsel, on the other hand, (such communications, “Protected Communications”) shall be deemed to belong solely to the Sellers and not the Company, and shall not pass to or be claimed, held, or used by the Buyer or the Company upon or after the Closing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon and after the Closing, (i) to the extent that files of Company Counsel in respect of the Acquisition Engagement constitute property of the Company, only the Sellers and their Affiliates (other than the Company) shall hold such property rights and (ii) Company Counsel shall have no duty whatsoever to reveal or disclose any such Protected Communications or files to the Company or the Buyer by reason of any attorney-client relationship between Company Counsel and the Company or otherwise; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) Company Counsel shall not disclose any such Protected Communications or files to any third parties (other than representatives, accountants, and advisors of the Sellers and their Affiliates (other than the Company); provided, that such representatives, accountants, and advisors are obligated to maintain the confidence of such Protected Communications) and (y) all rights, files, and information that are not related to the Acquisition Engagement, including matters that relate to the operation of the Company, shall belong to the Company. The Buyer, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Company) irrevocably waives any right it may have to discover or obtain Protected Communications, provided, however, the foregoing shall prohibit neither the Buyer nor the Company from seeking proper discovery of such Protected Communications nor the Sellers from asserting that such Protected Communications are not discoverable to the extent that attorney client privileges have attached thereto. If and to the extent that, at any time subsequent to Closing, the Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Company) has the right to waive any attorney-client privilege with respect to any Protected Communications, the Buyer, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Company) shall be entitled to waive such privilege only with the prior written consent of the Sellers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld). In the event that a dispute arises between the Buyer or the Company, on the one hand, and a Person other than the Sellers, on the other hand, after the Closing, the Buyer and the Company, as applicable, may assert the attorney-client privilege to prevent disclosure of Protected Communications to such third party.
(iii) The Buyer, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Company) acknowledges and agrees that Company Counsel has acted as counsel for the Sellers, the Company, and their respective Affiliates for several years and that the Sellers may reasonably anticipate that Company Counsel will continue to represent them or their Affiliates, individually or collectively, in future matters. Accordingly, the Buyer, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Company) expressly (i) consents to Company Counsel’s representation of the Sellers or their Affiliates, individually or collectively, or any of their respective agents (if any of the foregoing Persons so desire) in any matter, including, without limitation, any post-Closing matter in which the interests of the Buyer and the Company, on the one hand, and the Sellers or any of their Affiliates, on the other hand, are adverse, including any matter relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and whether or not such matter is one in which Company Counsel may have previously advised the Sellers, the Company, or their respective Affiliates and (ii) consents to the disclosure by Company Counsel to the Sellers or their Affiliates of any information learned by Company Counsel prior to the date hereof in the course of its representation of the Sellers, the Company, or their respective Affiliates in regard to the Acquisition Engagement, whether or not such information is subject to attorney-client privilege, attorney work product protection, or Company Counsel’s duty of confidentiality.
73
(iv) From and after the Closing, the Company shall cease to have any attorney-client relationship with Company Counsel, unless and to the extent Company Counsel is expressly engaged in writing by the Company to represent the Company after the Closing.
(o) Guarantees.
(i) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably guarantees the timely performance of all payment obligations of Dandin Holdings, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“Dandin”) to the extent such payment obligations arise under this Agreement. If Dandin shall fail to timely perform any such payment obligation, then each such Guarantor shall perform or cause to be performed its payment obligation promptly following written notice from the Buyer specifying such failure. The Buyer may proceed to enforce its rights against one or more Guarantors from time to time contemporaneously with or after its enforcement against any other Guarantor(s) and/or Dandin. This guarantee is absolute and unconditional and each Guarantor waives any and all defenses specifically available only to a guarantor (other than performance in full by Dandin) that would not be available to Dandin. The guarantee set forth in this Section 8(o) is a guarantee of payment and not merely of collection and shall be deemed a continuing and unlimited guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect until the satisfaction in full of all obligations of Dandin under this Agreement.
(ii) The Parent hereby irrevocably guarantees the timely performance of all payment obligations of the Buyer to the extent such payment obligations arise under this Agreement. If the Buyer shall fail to timely perform any such payment obligation, then the Parent shall perform or cause to be performed its payment obligation promptly following written notice from the Sellers’ Representative specifying such failure. The Sellers’ Representative may proceed to enforce the rights of the Sellers against the Parent from time to time contemporaneously with or after its enforcement against the Buyer. This guarantee is absolute and unconditional and the Parent waives any and all defenses specifically available only to a guarantor (other than performance in full by the Buyer) that would not be available to the Buyer. The guarantee set forth in this Section 8(o) is a guarantee of payment and not merely of collection and shall be deemed a continuing and unlimited guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect until the satisfaction in full of all obligations of the Buyer under this Agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
74
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
BUYER: | ||
XL HYBRIDS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Dimitri Kazarinoff | |
Name: | Dimitri Kazarinoff | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
PARENT: | ||
XL FLEET CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Dimitri Kazarinoff | |
Name: | Dimitri Kazarinoff | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
COMPANY: | ||
WORLD ENERGY EFFICIENCY SERVICES, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Rick Galipeau | |
Name: | Rick Galipeau | |
Title: | President |
SELLERS’ REPRESENTATIVE: | |
/s/ Rick Galipeau | |
Richard Galipeau | |
SELLERS: | |
/s/ Rick Galipeau | |
Richard Galipeau | |
/s/ Michael Santangelo | |
Michael Santangelo |
DANDIN HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Danny Wadhwani | |
Name: | Danny Wadhwani | |
Title: | Manager |
GUARANTORS: | |
/s/ Danny Wadhwani | |
Danny Wadhwani | |
/s/ Danny Wadhwani | |
Dinesh Wadhwani |
Exhibit A
WORKING CAPITAL METHODOLOGY
The following definitions and accounting principles apply to the preparation and determination of Estimated Working Capital and Final Working Capital pursuant to Section 2(d) of the Agreement. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.
“Included Accounts” means the Included Asset Accounts and the Included Liability Accounts.
“Included Asset Accounts” means the accounts of the Company listed under the heading “Current Assets” on Annex A-1 to this Exhibit A.
“Included Liability Accounts” means the accounts of the Company listed under the heading “Current Liabilities” on Annex A-1 to this Exhibit A.
“Working Capital” means an amount (which may be positive or negative) equal to (a) the sum of the Included Asset Accounts minus (b) the sum of the Included Liability Accounts, in each case as of the Determination Time, calculated in accordance with the Accounting Principles, subject to Section 2(d)(viii) and any exceptions reflected in the calculation (including the components, judgments, principles, practices, methodologies, policies, procedures, classifications, and estimation methodologies (in each case including with respect to the calculation of reserves) utilized in arriving at such calculation) of the Included Accounts for the month ended March 31, 2021 attached as Annex A-1 to this Exhibit A (in each case regardless of whether there exist alternative methodologies for calculating the Included Accounts). For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, Working Capital shall not include any accounts not included on Annex A-1 to this Exhibit A, and shall specifically exclude (i) Cash, (ii) Company Transaction Expenses, (iii) Funded Indebtedness, and (iv) Tax assets and Tax liabilities, including income and deferred Taxes.
Annex A-1 to Exhibit A
WORKING CAPITAL EXAMPLE
Current Assets
Trade Accounts Receivable
Inventory
Other Current Asset
Prepaid and Other Current Assets
Total Current Assets (A)
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable
Accrued Compensation
Accrued Commissions
Accrued Expenses & Other Current Liabilities
Customer Advances
Total Current Liabilities (B)
WORKING CAPITAL (A less B)
For the avoidance of doubt, the follow accounts are excluded from the Working Capital calculation
Excluded Current Assets
Cash & Cash Equivalents
Excluded Current Liabilities
Line of Credit – Bank
Notes Payable – Current
Installment Loans – Equipment – Current
Related Party Loan Payable - Current
Exhibit B
TAX ALLOCATION METHODOLOGY
The aggregate consideration (including any assumed liabilities and any other items treated as taxable consideration for income tax purposes (“Allocable Consideration”)) shall be allocated for income tax purposes in accordance with the principles set forth below. Class references shall conform to Section 1060 of the Code. The listing of a class of assets in the table below does not necessarily mean that such class of assets is applicable to the transaction.
Class | Allocation of Allocable Consideration |
I (cash, demand deposits, etc.) | Actual amount of Class I assets on the Closing Date |
II (marketable stock, government securities, etc.) | Fair market value of Class II assets on the Closing Date |
III (accounts receivables, mortgages, etc.) | Actual face amount of Class III assets on the Closing Date |
IV (inventory, etc.) | Fair market value of Class IV assets on the Closing Date |
V (assets other than Class I, II, III, IV, VI, or VII assets) | Net book value of the Class V assets on the Closing Date |
VI (§197 intangibles other than goodwill and going concern value) | Agreed upon value of the Class VI assets |
VII (goodwill and going concern value) | Residual |
Schedule I
ALLOCABLE PERCENTAGES
Seller | Allocable Percentage (%) | Seller Parent Shares | Net Parent Shares |
Richard Galipeau | 33.6735% | 311,114 | 298,700 |
Michael Santangelo | 33.6735% | 311,114 | 298,700 |
Dandin Holdings, LLC | 32.653% | 301,781 | 289,648 |
Total: | 100.000% | 924,009 | 887,049 |