LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO TENDER FOR EXCHANGE 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008 OF FOUNTAIN VIEW, INC. PURSUANT TO PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY __, 1999 THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME ON FEBRUARY 22, 1999, UNLESS THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION. TENDERS OF 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008 MAY ONLY BE WITHDRAWN UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS AND HEREIN. The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer Is: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, N.A. By Registered or Certified Mail: By Overnight Courier: By Hand before 4:30 P.M.: State Street Bank and Trust State Street Bank and Trust State Street Bank and Trust Company of California, N.A. Company of California, N.A. Company of California, N.A. c/o State Street Bank and Trust c/o State Street Bank and Trust c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company Company Company Two International Place Two International Place Two International Place Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Attention: Kellie Mullen Attention: Kellie Mullen Attention: Kellie Mullen By Facsimile: 617-664-5290 Confirm by Telephone to: Kellie Mullen 617-664-5587 PLEASE FOLLOW CAREFULLY THE INSTRUCTIONS HEREIN DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING NOTES TENDERED - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF HOLDER(S) (IF THE NAME AND ADDRESS SHOWN ARE NOT CURRENT PLEASE OUTSTANDING NOTES TENDERED INDICATE ANY CHANGES NECESSARY)(1) (PLEASE FILL IN NUMBERS AND AMOUNTS AND ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL NUMBER(S) (IF AMOUNT(S) ENCLOSING OF OUTSTANDING CERTIFICATES)(2) NOTES TENDERED(3) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ TOTAL - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE PROSPECTUS, DATED FEBRUARY __, 1999 (THE "PROSPECTUS"), OF FOUNTAIN VIEW, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY"), AND THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL RELATING TO THE OFFER (THE "EXCHANGE OFFER") OF THE COMPANY, UPON THE TERMS AND SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS AND HEREIN AND THE INSTRUCTIONS HERETO, TO EXCHANGE $1,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ITS 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008, SERIES B (THE "EXCHANGE NOTES") FOR EACH $1,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ITS OUTSTANDING 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008 (THE "OUTSTANDING NOTES"), OF WHICH 7,520,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IS OUTSTANDING. THE MINIMUM PERMITTED TENDER IS $1,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING NOTES, AND ALL OTHER TENDERS MUST BE IN INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION BY FACSIMILE, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED. The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 22, 1999 (the "Expiration Date"), unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion, in which case the term Expiration Date shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended. HOLDERS WHO WISH TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE EXCHANGE NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER MUST VALIDLY TENDER THEIR OUTSTANDING NOTES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. ON THE EXPIRATION DATE. This Letter of Transmittal should be used only to exchange the Outstanding Notes, pursuant to the Exchange Offer as set forth in the Prospectus. This Letter of Transmittal is to be used (a) if Outstanding Notes are to be physically delivered to the Exchange Agent or (b) if delivery of Outstanding Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC" or the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer-- Procedures for Tendering." Delivery of documents to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent. Holders whose Outstanding Notes are not available or who cannot deliver their Outstanding Notes and all other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent by 5:00 p.m. on the Expiration Date nevertheless may tender their Outstanding Notes in accordance with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." See Instruction 1. THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO (NOR WILL THE SURRENDER OF OUTSTANDING NOTES FOR EXCHANGE BE ACCEPTED FROM OR ON BEHALF OF) HOLDERS IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE MAKING OR ACCEPTANCE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. All capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus. HOLDERS WHO WISH TO EXCHANGE THEIR OUTSTANDING NOTES MUST COMPLETE COLUMNS (1) THROUGH (3) IN THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING NOTES TENDERED" ON THE PRIOR PAGE, COMPLETE THE BOX BELOW ENTITLED "METHOD OF DELIVERY" AND SIGN WHERE INDICATED BELOW. THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING NOTES TENDERED" AND SIGNING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE OUTSTANDING NOTES AND MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS AND HEREIN. 2 METHOD OF DELIVERY [_]CHECK HERE IF CERTIFICATE FOR TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH. [_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK- ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: Name of Tendering Institution: ____________________________________________ Account Number: ___________________ Transaction Code Number: ____________ Principal Amount of Tendered Notes: _______________________________________ [_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 4): Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): ________________________________________ Window Ticket Number (if any): __________________________________________ Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: _____________________ Name of Eligible Institution which Guaranteed Delivery: _________________ IF DELIVERED BY THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: [_]The Depository Trust Company Account Number: _________________ Transaction Code Number: ____________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [_]CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE TEN ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO. PLEASE NOTE: THE COMPANY HAS AGREED THAT, FOR A PERIOD OF DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE, IT WILL MAKE COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AVAILABLE TO ANY PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES. Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY 3 Ladies and Gentlemen: Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Outstanding Notes indicated in the box entitled "Description of Outstanding Notes Tendered." Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby irrevocably sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Outstanding Notes, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned (with full knowledge that said Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Company and as Trustee under the Indenture governing the Outstanding Notes and the Exchange Notes) with respect to such Outstanding Notes, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to (a) deliver certificates representing such Outstanding Notes, and to deliver all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to or upon the order of the Company upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned's agent, of the Exchange Notes to which the undersigned is entitled upon the acceptance by the Company of such Outstanding Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer, (b) receive all benefits and otherwise to exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Outstanding Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, and (c) present such Outstanding Notes for transfer on the register for such Outstanding Notes, and receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned acknowledges that prior to this Exchange Offer, there has been no public market for the Outstanding Notes or the Exchange Notes. If a market for the Exchange Notes should develop, the Exchange Notes could trade at a discount from their principal amount. The undersigned is aware that the Company does not intend to list the Exchange Notes on a national securities exchange and that there can be no assurance that an active market for the Exchange Notes will develop. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes, it represents that the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged for Exchange Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL TENDERS BE ACCEPTED FROM OR ON BEHALF OF, HOLDERS OF THE OUTSTANDING NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE MAKING OF THE OFFER OR ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION OR WOULD OTHERWISE NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY PROVISION OF ANY APPLICABLE SECURITY LAW. The undersigned represents that (a) it is not an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Prospectus), (b) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes, and (c) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of business. In addition, the undersigned acknowledges that an person participating in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes must, in the absence of an exemption therefrom, comply with the registration and prospectus deliver requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale of the Exchange Notes and cannot rely on the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission enunciated in no action letters and failure to comply with such requirements in such instance could result in the undersigned incurring liability under the Securities Act for which the undersigned is not indemnified by the Company. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the assignment, transfer and purchase of the Notes tendered hereby. The undersigned understands and acknowledges that the Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, the purchase or make offers for any Outstanding Notes that remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration Date or to terminate the Exchange Offer and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, purchase Outstanding Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers will differ from the terms of the Exchange Offer. 4 The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (a) the undersigned accepts the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, (b) the undersigned has a net long position within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act ("Rule 14e-4") equal to or greater than the principal amount of Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, (c) the tender of such Outstanding Notes complies with Rule 14e-4 (to the extent that Rule 14e-4 is applicable to such exchange), (d) the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, and (e) when the same are accepted for exchange by the Company, the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim or right. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby. The undersigned agrees that all authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of Transmittal and every obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. The undersigned also agrees that, except as stated in the Prospectus, the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby cannot be withdrawn. The undersigned understands that tenders of the Outstanding Notes pursuant to any one of the procedures described in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes" and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned understands that by tendering Outstanding Notes pursuant to one of the procedures described in the Prospectus and the instructions thereto, the tendering holder will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any payment in respect of interest on the Outstanding Notes accrued up to the date of issuance of the Exchange Notes. The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Outstanding Notes tendered. Outstanding Notes not accepted for exchange or withdrawn will be returned to the undersigned at the address set forth below unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions" below. Unless otherwise indicated herein under the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" below, Exchange Notes, and Outstanding Notes not validly tendered or accepted for exchange, will be issued in the name of the undersigned. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" below, Exchange Notes, and Outstanding Notes not validly tendered or accepted for exchange, will be delivered to the undersigned at the address shown below the signature of the undersigned. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the "Special Issuance Instructions" to transfer any Outstanding Notes from the name of the registered holder thereof if the Company does not accept for exchange any of the principal amount of such Outstanding Notes so tendered. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), and withdrawal of the tendered Outstanding Notes will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Outstanding Notes not properly tendered or any Outstanding Notes the Company's acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Outstanding Notes not properly tendered or any Outstanding Notes the Company's acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Outstanding Notes. The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Outstanding Notes must be cured within such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Outstanding Notes, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Outstanding Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Outstanding Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned without cost to such holder by the Exchange Agent to the tendering holders of Outstanding Notes, unless otherwise provided in this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date. 5 SIGN HERE (ALSO COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Signature(s) of Tendering Shareholder(s)) Dated: , 1999 Must be signed by the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes exactly as their name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for the Outstanding Notes or by person(s) with this Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation, agent or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information. See Instruction 3. Name(s): __________________________________________________________________ (Please Print) Capacity (Full Title): ____________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Zip Code) Daytime Area Code and Telephone Number: ( )_____________________________ Tax Identification or Social Security Number: _____________________________ (COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE) GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S) (If Required--see Instructions 1 and 5 of this Letter of Transmittal) Authorized Signature: _____________________________________________________ Name: _____________________________________________________________________ (Please Print) Title: ____________________________________________________________________ Name of Firm: _____________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Zip Code) Area Code and Telephone Number: ___________________________________________ Dated: , 1999 6 SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3, 4 AND 6) (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3, 4, AND 6) To be completed ONLY if certifi- To be completed ONLY if certifi- cates for Outstanding Notes in a cates for Outstanding Notes in a principal amount not exchanged principal amount not exchange and/or certificates for Exchange and/or certificates for Exchange Notes are to be issued in the name Notes are to be sent to someone of someone other than the under- other than undersigned at an ad- signed, or if Outstanding Notes dress other than that shown above. are to be returned by credit to an account maintained by the Book-En- try Transfer Facility. Deliver (check appropriate box) [_]Exchange Notes to: [_]Outstanding Notes to: Issue (check appropriate box) Name: _____________________________ [_]Exchange Notes to: (PLEASE PRINT) [_]Outstanding Notes to: Address ___________________________ Name ______________________________ (ZIP CODE) (PLEASE PRINT) ----------------------------------- Address ___________________________ (TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR (ZIP CODE) SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER) ----------------------------------- (ALSO COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 (TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR BELOW) SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER) (ALSO COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 BELOW) Credit unaccepted Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer to: [_The]Depository Trust Company ac- count set forth below: ___________________________________ (DTC Account Number) 7 INSTRUCTIONS FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION 1. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. To be effectively tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Outstanding Notes, together with a properly completed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), duly executed by the registered holder thereof, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth on the first page of this Letter of Transmittal. If the beneficial owner of any Outstanding Notes is not the registered holder, then such person may validly tender his or her Outstanding Notes only by obtaining and submitting to the Exchange Agent a properly completed Letter of Transmittal from the registered holder. OUTSTANDING NOTES SHOULD BE DELIVERED ONLY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND NOT TO THE COMPANY OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OUTSTANDING NOTES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDER. SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BY 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE. If a holder desires to tender Outstanding Notes and such holder's Outstanding Notes are not immediately available or time will not permit such holder's Letter of Transmittal, Outstanding Notes or other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent on or before the Expiration Date, such holder's tender may be effected if: (a) the tender is made through an Eligible Institution (as defined); (b) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and address of the holder of the Outstanding Notes, the certificate number or numbers of such Outstanding Notes and the principal amount of Outstanding Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby, and guaranteeing that, within three business days after the Expiration Date, the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the certificate(s) representing the Outstanding Notes to be tendered in proper form for transfer or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (c) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the certificate(s) representing all tendered Outstanding Notes in proper form for transfer and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal are received by the Exchange Agent within three business days after the Expiration Date. 2. Withdrawal of Tenders. Tendered Outstanding Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, unless previously accepted for exchange. To be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must (a) be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth on the first page of this Letter of Transmittal prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, unless previously accepted for exchange, (b) specify the name of the person who tendered the Outstanding Notes, (c) contain the description of the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn, the certificate numbers shown on the particular certificate evidencing such Outstanding Notes and the aggregate principal amount represented by such Outstanding Notes and (d) be signed by the holder of such Outstanding Notes in the same manner as the original signature appears on this Letter of Transmittal (including any required signature guarantee) or be accompanied by evidence sufficient to have the Trustee with respect to the Outstanding Notes register the transfer of such Outstanding Notes into the name of the holder withdrawing the tender. The signature(s) on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless such Outstanding Notes have been tendered (a) by a registered holder of Outstanding Notes who has not completed either the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery 8 Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) for the account of an Eligible Institution. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such withdrawal notices shall be determined by the company, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. If the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, a signed notice of withdrawal is effective immediately upon receipt by the Exchange Agent of a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal even if physical release is not yet effected. In addition, such notice must specify, in the case of Outstanding Notes tendered by delivery of certificates for such outstanding Notes, the name of the registered holder (if different from that of the tendering holder) to be credited with the withdrawn Outstanding Notes. Withdrawals may not be rescinded, and any Outstanding Notes withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer. However, properly withdrawn Outstanding Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering" in the Prospectus at any time on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date. 3. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal, Bond Powers and Endorsement; Guarantee of Signatures. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificates without any change whatsoever. If any Outstanding Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If any Outstanding Notes tendered hereby are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter of Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates. When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder or holders specified herein and tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate bond powers are required unless Exchange Notes are to be issued, or certificates for any untendered principal amount of Outstanding Notes are to be reissued, to a person other than the registered holder. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of any certificate(s) specified herein, such certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in either cased signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s). If this Letter of Transmittal or a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or any certificates or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorney-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal. Except as described below, signatures on this Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, Signatures of this Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, need not be guaranteed if the Outstanding Notes tendered pursuant hereto are tendered (a) by a registered holder of Outstanding Notes who has not completed either the box "Special Issuance Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) for the account of an Eligible Institution. In the event that signatures on this Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by a firm which is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or by a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States (each as "Eligible Institutions"). Endorsements on certificates for Outstanding Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. 9 4. Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions. Tendering holders should indicate in the applicable box the name and address to which certificates for Exchange notes and/or substitute certificates evidencing Outstanding Notes for the principal amounts not exchanged are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a different name, the employer identification or social security number of the person named must also be indicated. If not such instructions are given, any Outstanding Notes not exchanged will be returned to the name and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. 5. Tax Identification Number Withholding. Federal income tax law of the United States requires that a holder of Outstanding Notes whose Outstanding Notes are accepted for exchange provide the Company with the holder's correct taxpayer identification number, which, in the case of a holder who is an individual, is his or her social security number, or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. If the Company is not provided with the correct taxpayer identification number, the exchanging holder of Outstanding Notes may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"). In addition, interest on the Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to backup withholding in an amount equal to 31% of any interest payment. If withholding occurs and results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained. To prevent backup withholding, an exchanging holder of Outstanding Notes must provide his correct taxpayer identification number by completing the Substitute Form W-9 provided in this Letter of Transmittal, certifying that the taxpayer identification number provided is correct (or that the exchanging holder of Outstanding Notes is awaiting a taxpayer identification number) and that either (a) the exchanging holder has not yet been notified by the IRS that such holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends or (b) the IRS has notified the exchanging holder that such holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. Certain exchanging holders of Outstanding Notes (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding requirements. A foreign individual and other exempt holders other than foreign individuals (e.g., corporations) should certify, in accordance with the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9," to such exempt status on the Substitute Form W-9 provided in this Letter of Transmittal. Foreign individuals should complete and provide Form W-8 to indicate their foreign status. 6. Transfer Taxes. Holders tendering pursuant to the Exchange Offer will not be obligated to pay brokerage commissions or fees or to pay transfer taxes with respect to their exchange under the Exchange Offer unless the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" in this Letter of Transmittal has been completed, or unless the Exchange Notes are to be issued to any person other than the holder of the Outstanding Notes tendered for exchange. The company will pay all other charges or expenses in connection with the Exchange Offer. If holders tender Outstanding Notes for exchange and the Exchange Offer is not consummated, certificates representing the Outstanding Notes will be returned to the holders at the Company's expense. Except as provided in this Instructions 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the certificate(s) specified in this Letter of Transmittal. 7. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes being tendered and the certificate numbers (if available) should be listed on a separate schedule attached hereto and separately signed by all parties required to sign this Letter of Transmittal. 8. Partial Tenders. Tenders of Outstanding Notes will be accepted only in integral multiples of $1,000. If tenders are to be made with respect to less than the entire principal amount of any Outstanding Notes, fill in the principal amount of Outstanding Notes which are tendered in column (3) in the box on the cover entitled "Description of Outstanding Notes Tendered." In the case of partial tenders, new certificates representing the 10 Outstanding Notes in fully registered form for the remainder of the principal amount of the Outstanding Notes will be sent to the person(s) as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer. 9. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Notes. Any holder whose Outstanding Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further instructions. 10. Request for Assistance or Additional Copies. Requests for assistance or additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent at its telephone number set forth on the first page. 11. No Conditional Tender. No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tender of Notes on transmittal of this Letter of Transmittal will be accepted. 11 IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION PAYER'S NAME: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1--PLEASE PROVIDE ----------------- YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT Social Security RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGN- Number ING AND DATING BELOW. SUBSTITUTE Form W-9 or Department of ----------------- the Treasury Employer Internal Identification Number Revenue Service Part 2--Check the box if you are not subject to backup withholding under the provisions of section 3406(a)(1)(c) of the internal revenue code because (1) you are exempt from backup withholding, or (2) you have not been notified that you are subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to re- port all interest or dividends or (3) the internal revenue service has notified you that you are no longer subject to backup withholding. [_] ----------------------------------------------------- Payer's Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ----------------------------------------------------- CERTIFICATION--UNDER THE PENALTIES Part 3-- OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT THE IN- Awaiting FORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS FORM IS TIN [_] TRUE, CORRECT, AND COMPLETE. SIGNATURE _______________ DATE ______ NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number to the payer by the time of payment, 31% of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld until I provide a number and that, if I do not provide my taxpayer identification number within 60 days, such retained amounts shall be remitted to the IRS as backup withholding. ------------------------------- ------------------------------- Signature Date 12